synopsis of it happened one summer a novel

They are taught how to peacefully advocate for their civil rights and they also help prepare for a rally to protest racial injustice.

Eventually, they go grocery shopping themselves, and Delphine cooks the meal.Īt 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 go to the People's Center summer camp run by the Black Panthers every day and every evening, they buy Chinese food for dinner. They quickly learn how to navigate their way around the city. She forces the girls to fend for themselves most of the time. She prefers her quiet life of writing poetry and is not cut out to care for three girls. Cecile, or Nzila as she has renamed herself, is harsh and outwardly says she did not request this visit. When the girls arrive, their fears are confirmed. Delphine reflects on all the times they've missed having a mother. They are also apprehensive about meeting their mother for the first time in years. They imagine trips to DisneyLand and movie stars. 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.ĭelphine, Vonetta, and Fern are excited about the prospect of spending a month in California. Big Ma does not agree this is a good idea. 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. Their mother abandoned them right after Fern was born and has been living in California as a poet. 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. 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. 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?.

What are some of the themes present in the novel, One Crazy Summer?.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?.Who are the main characters in One Crazy Summer and what challenges do they face?.Essential Questions for One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia

Synopsis of it happened one summer a novel