Student Activities for One Crazy Summer
Essential Questions for One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
- Who are the main characters in One Crazy Summer and what challenges do they face?
- What were some allusions (references to real people, places, events, sports, and art/literature) present in the novel? What can you learn about the time period from these allusions?
- What are some of the themes present in the novel, One Crazy Summer?
- What are some examples of symbolism used by the author in the novel One Crazy Summer and how does the symbolism help you better understand the characters and their motivations?
One Crazy Summer Summary
One Crazy Summer was written in 2010. The story is told from the perspective of Delphine Gaither, an 11-year-old African American girl growing up in Brooklyn in 1968 with her two younger sisters, her Papa, and her grandmother, Big Ma.
The story opens with Delphine, Vonetta (age 9), and Fern (age 7) taking an airplane to fly out to see their mother in Oakland, California. This isn't a regular visit, however. Their mother abandoned them right after Fern was born and has been living in California as a poet. Delphine's father believes it is time for the girls to get to know their mother and they are set to spend one month of the summer with her. Big Ma does not agree this is a good idea. She is worried that Oakland is full of racial unrest and doesn't trust Cecile, the girls' mother, because she has never forgiven her for leaving the family.
Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are excited about the prospect of spending a month in California. They imagine trips to DisneyLand and movie stars. They are also apprehensive about meeting their mother for the first time in years. Delphine reflects on all the times they've missed having a mother.
When the girls arrive, their fears are confirmed. Cecile, or Nzila as she has renamed herself, is harsh and outwardly says she did not request this visit. She prefers her quiet life of writing poetry and is not cut out to care for three girls. She forces the girls to fend for themselves most of the time. They quickly learn how to navigate their way around the city. They go to the People's Center summer camp run by the Black Panthers every day and every evening, they buy Chinese food for dinner. Eventually, they go grocery shopping themselves, and Delphine cooks the meal.
At the People's Center, the sisters learn about Huey Newton, the founder of the Black Panthers, being a political prisoner and the death of young Bobby Hutton who was gunned down by police even though he was unarmed. They are taught how to peacefully advocate for their civil rights and they also help prepare for a rally to protest racial injustice. The Black Panthers also provide free meals, shoes, help register people to vote and get sickle-cell anemia testing. The experience the girls have is a far cry from the negative portrayal they've seen of Black Panthers in the news.
While Delphine is still unsure about joining in on the rally that she views as potentially dangerous, her feelings change one fateful evening. While the girls return from a wonderful excursion that Delphine planned to San Francisco, they arrive to see their mother's home trashed and Nzila being arrested for her poetry about inequality and racial injustice. They see firsthand the oppression they have been learning about at the People's Center and it sparks a desire to do more to help their community.
At the "People's Rally" that Saturday, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern courageously recited their mother's poem "I Birthed a Black Nation" to a large crowd. Afterwards, little Fern recites her own original poem and Nzila and the reader can see that a young "poet is born."
In the end, Nzila confesses much about her past to Delphine and the girls begin to understand more about their mother. While their relationship is still difficult and complicated, they part feeling closer than they ever have. At the airport while getting ready to depart, Fern initiates a hug and the sisters all hug their mother for the first time, which is what Delphine realizes is the one thing they couldn't leave without.
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How Tos about One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
How can I use poetry writing to help students explore themes in One Crazy Summer?
Encourage creative expression: Invite students to write their own poems inspired by events, characters, or themes from One Crazy Summer. Relating personal experiences through poetry helps deepen their understanding of the novel's messages and historical context.
Guide students in brainstorming connections between their lives and the novel.
Have students reflect on moments from their own lives that relate to the struggles or triumphs in One Crazy Summer. Jot down these connections to use as inspiration for their poems. This personal link fosters empathy and engagement.
Show students examples of poems from the novel and discuss poetic devices.
Read Cecile’s and Fern’s poems aloud and point out literary devices like imagery, repetition, and metaphor. Discuss how poetry conveys emotion and meaning beyond literal events.
Invite students to draft their poems focusing on emotions and key themes.
Encourage students to choose a theme—such as family, identity, or justice—and write a poem that expresses their feelings about it. Offer sentence starters or word banks for students who need a boost in creativity.
Support revision and sharing in a safe classroom environment.
Let students work in pairs or small groups to give positive feedback and revise their poems. Celebrate their voices by inviting them to share aloud or display their work. This builds confidence and community.
Frequently Asked Questions about One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
What is the main theme of One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia?
One Crazy Summer explores themes of family, identity, civil rights, and personal growth as three sisters discover their roots and the power of community during the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s.
How can teachers use One Crazy Summer in the classroom?
Teachers can use One Crazy Summer to spark discussion on historical events, social justice, and character development. Activities like analyzing symbolism, exploring allusions, and connecting the story to current events engage students in meaningful learning.
What are some lesson plan ideas for teaching One Crazy Summer?
Lesson ideas include character analysis, researching the Black Panther Party, creating storyboards, examining literary allusions, and writing poems inspired by the book. These activities help students connect literature to history and personal experience.
Who are the main characters in One Crazy Summer and what challenges do they face?
The main characters are Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern Gaither. They face challenges like meeting their estranged mother, navigating racial tensions, and finding their voices in a turbulent time.
What role does the Black Panther Party play in One Crazy Summer?
The Black Panther Party provides the sisters with education, community support, and lessons in activism. Their experiences challenge stereotypes and show the importance of fighting injustice peacefully.
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