Breathtaking, Engaging, Powerful, Vivid, Realistic | Reviews: " Emotionally challenging and beautifully written, this book immerses readers in a time and place and raises difficult questions of cultural and ethnic identity and personal responsibility. With memorable characters (all three girls have engaging, strong voices) and a powerful story, this is a book well worth reading and rereading." Teri Markson, School Library Journal Awards:
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Bibliography:
Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York: Amistad.
Garcia, R. (2010). One crazy summer. New York: Amistad.
Reading Level: An AR rating of 4.6 with an interest level of middle grades (4-8).
Suggested Delivery: Independent
Summary:
It is a summer when the Civil Rights Movement is going strong. Delphine and her sisters are sent to visit their mother who left them when Delphine was only a couple of years old. During their summer visit the sisters meet various members of the Civil Right Movement and learn more about a mother who walked out on them. Along the way they meet new friends, explore new places, discovery themselves, and watch their mother get arrested.
It is a summer when the Civil Rights Movement is going strong. Delphine and her sisters are sent to visit their mother who left them when Delphine was only a couple of years old. During their summer visit the sisters meet various members of the Civil Right Movement and learn more about a mother who walked out on them. Along the way they meet new friends, explore new places, discovery themselves, and watch their mother get arrested.
Key Vocabulary:
Abandon (page 14): to stop looking after someone or something
Timex (page 8): a watch company
Begrudgingly (page 91): to give some reluctantly
Civics (page 121): the study of the rights and responsibility of citizens
Empowered (page 181): to give someone or something power
Establishment (page 117): an established social order
Fugitive (page 44): someone who is running from the law
Indignant (page 57): angered at something that is seen as unjust
Militant (page 57): a fighting or aggressive group of people
Revolution (page 72): a forceful takeover of a government or social order
Racism (page 87): the belief that race accounts for differences in character and that one race is superior to another
Oppressed (page 180): to keep down by severe and unjust use of force
Black Panther (page 127): a member of an organized group of African Americans fighting for civil rights
Protesters (page 117): a group of people protesting something the government or someone has done
Abandon (page 14): to stop looking after someone or something
Timex (page 8): a watch company
Begrudgingly (page 91): to give some reluctantly
Civics (page 121): the study of the rights and responsibility of citizens
Empowered (page 181): to give someone or something power
Establishment (page 117): an established social order
Fugitive (page 44): someone who is running from the law
Indignant (page 57): angered at something that is seen as unjust
Militant (page 57): a fighting or aggressive group of people
Revolution (page 72): a forceful takeover of a government or social order
Racism (page 87): the belief that race accounts for differences in character and that one race is superior to another
Oppressed (page 180): to keep down by severe and unjust use of force
Black Panther (page 127): a member of an organized group of African Americans fighting for civil rights
Protesters (page 117): a group of people protesting something the government or someone has done
Before Reading Strategy:
Have students discuss the meaning of the quote: “A name is important. It isn't something you drop in the litter basket or on the ground. Your name is now people know you. The very mention of your name makes a picture spring to mind, whether it's a picture of clashing fists or a mighty mountain that can't be knocked down. Your name is who you are and how you're known even when you do something great or something dumb.”
At the wrap up of the discussion, talk about what importance the quote may have in the book.
Have students discuss the meaning of the quote: “A name is important. It isn't something you drop in the litter basket or on the ground. Your name is now people know you. The very mention of your name makes a picture spring to mind, whether it's a picture of clashing fists or a mighty mountain that can't be knocked down. Your name is who you are and how you're known even when you do something great or something dumb.”
At the wrap up of the discussion, talk about what importance the quote may have in the book.
During Reading Strategy:
In small groups of three to four, have students discuss two or three of the discussion cards (see below). These can be taped/glued to index cards for durability.
In small groups of three to four, have students discuss two or three of the discussion cards (see below). These can be taped/glued to index cards for durability.
After Reading Strategy:
Have students chose an important character (e.g. Delphine, Fern, Vonetta, Cecile, Hirohito) to make a small poster for. On the poster include a drawing of the character, importance of the character, approximate age, and how that character changed in the story.
Have students chose an important character (e.g. Delphine, Fern, Vonetta, Cecile, Hirohito) to make a small poster for. On the poster include a drawing of the character, importance of the character, approximate age, and how that character changed in the story.
Inferential Comprehension Writing Activity:
Have students write an explanation on why Cecile finally called Fern by her real name and not Afua.
Have students write an explanation on why Cecile finally called Fern by her real name and not Afua.
Electronic Resources to Support/Extend the Text:
This website is useful for teachers as a resource for good discussion questions at the end of the book.
http://www.sweetonbooks.com/all-titles/559-one-crazy-summer.html
This website is useful for teachers as a resource for good discussion questions at the end of the book.
http://www.sweetonbooks.com/all-titles/559-one-crazy-summer.html
Resources:
Edupress. “Guided Reading Questions for Fiction” (note cards).
Edupress. “Guided Reading Questions for Fiction” (note cards).