One Crazy Summer, by Rita Williams-Garcia, has had some buzz about a possible Newbery Medal in its future, and now that I have read this book I agree that it is a strong contender. Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern live with their father and grandmother in Brooklyn, N.Y., but in 1968 they fly to Oakland, Ca. to spend the summer with their mother, who abandoned them several years before. When they arrive, their mother, Cecile, makes it clear they are not wanted. She shows them no affection, forbids them from entering her kitchen, where she spends time writing poetry and printing flyers for the local Black Panthers, and feeds them only take-out food. During the day, Cecile sends the girls to a day camp run by the Black Panthers, where they eat free breakfast and participate in organized activities to learn about their rights and do their part for the cause. From the start of this visit, 11-year-old Delphine, as the eldest, is forced to take charge of caring for her sisters, but her responsibilities grow when Cecile is arrested, along with two men who are Black Panthers. Delphine narrates, and her voice is absolutely delightful. She is 11 going on 30, and her attempts to cope with and explain to herself her mother's bizarre behavior seem perfectly suited to a smart, responsible 11-year-old girl who yearns for a mother. This book is both touching and immensely entertaining. I enjoyed it and recommend it.
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