Historical Fiction

Bibliography

Williams-Garcia, Rita. 2010. One Crazy Summer. New York: HarperCollins. 978-0-06-076088-5

Plot Summary
Delphine’s father decides that it is time for her and her sisters to visit their mother, who abandoned her family after her youngest daughter was born.  When they arrive in Oakland California it is not what they had been hoping for.  Reunited with a mother who is less than thrilled to she her daughters, “No one told y’all to come out here,” Cecile says. “No one wants you out here making a mess, stopping my work.”  Throughout the summer the girls attend youth programs sponsored by the Black Panthers where they learn about the Vietnam War, race riots, protest marches, canvassing, and handing out pamphlets.  The summer of 68 changed the relationship of the three girls and their mother and the girls’ view of the world.

Critical Analysis

“One Crazy Summer” does a great job of balancing fact from fiction in this authentic historical fiction novel set in the summer of 1968.  Williams-Garcia writing style draws the reader into the time period.  Modern young readers will find the characters are easy to identify with and will get a better understanding about the conflicting views of the African-American community at that time.  Delphine, the main character, is very mature for her young age and is expected to show her two carefree, little sisters how to act and behave. Cecile, the girls’ mother, is consumed by her work and abandoned her children and moved to California. The relationship of this family are easy to associate with students today because a majority of them no what it is like to be raised by only one parent.

The events of the late 1960s are told in first-person narrative Delphine and the details of the Black Panther movement are presented accurately but in a very student friendly way. Event though this time frame is a little sugar coated it does offer and insight to the Black Panthers that gives young readers an overall depiction without bombarding them with the very specific details.

The book’s theme, although set in 1968, are very relevant to students today. Some students may be able to relate to the interactions of the siblings and with the strained relationship with a parent or other family member.   Students may also identify with the details of the protest that happened during the story and the protest that are today, like Occupy America.  She also tells the story using the speech patterns of African-Americans dialect in the book holds true to the culture and students with similar dialects can identify with the speech.

Reviewed Excerpts

Horn Book (March/April, 2010)

“Williams-Garcia writes about that turbulent summer through the intelligent, funny, blunt voice of Delphine, who observes outsiders and her own family with shrewdness and a keen perception of why they each behave the way they do.”

School Library Journal (March 1, 2010)

“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.”

Publishers Weekly (January 4, 2010)

“Delphine's growing awareness of injustice on a personal and universal level is smoothly woven into the story in poetic language that will stimulate and move readers.”

Connections:

*Have students do a Venn diagram comparing protest from the 1960’s to modern day protest.

 *Students work in groups to draw out a timeline of the events in “One Crazy Summer” and conduct research to fact check the author.

 *In a journal, have students write entries based on the main character.  Include the emotional feelings and thoughts that Delphine is telling in the story.

Bibliography

Holm, Jennifer L. 2010. Turtle in Paradise. New York: Random House. ISBN:  978-0-375-83688-6.

Plot Summary When Turtle’s mother gets a job as a housekeeper she is sent to Key West to spend the summer with her cousins.  Life in Key West is very different than what Turtle is use to.  Scorpions in pajamas and walking around with no shoes, this witty young lady easily fits in with her boy cousins.  With a discovery of a treasure map and the reconnection of family this depression era tale is fast moving and very enjoyable.

Critical Analysis Jennifer L. Holm engages readers of every age with the very witty main character, eleven-year-old Turtle.  Many young readers will relate to Turtle who has moved to Key West in the depression era.   Young boys will identify with Turtle’s adventurous cousin and all the wild adventures they have.

Although the story is from the Depression era and can be a little heart breaking the story is filled with lots of humor.  Many of the references may be out of context for the targeted audience. When Turtle compares herself to Little Orphan Annie and mentions a Shirley Temple movie, many young children will not know this reference. Overall, Holm does a great job of naturally integrating details, events, and figures from history.

Reviewed Excerpts:

Booklist starred April 15, 2010

“Turtle is just the right mixture of knowingness and hope; the plot is a hilarious blend of family dramas seasoned with a dollop of adventure.”

Kirkus Review starred (April 15, 2010)

“Turtle is winning and authentic--that of a practical, clear-eyed observer--and her nimble way with dialogue creates laugh-out-loud moments. Sweet, funny and superb.”

Connections:

*Have students draw and label their own treasure map or map of the school.

*Students can research the cause of the Great Depression.

* Watch a Shirley Temple movie and research the life of Shirley Temple. 

Bibliography:

Giff, Patricia R. 1997. Lily’s Crossing. New York: Delacorte Press. ISBN:  0-385-32142-2.

Summary: 

Lily’s summer is torn apart with the outbreak of World War II.  Lily’s summer is not what she expected when her father is sent overseas and her best friend moves away.  When Albert, a refugee from Hungary, moves to town Lily makes an unlikely friend.  When Albert and Lily help rescue a kitten their friendship grows.  The lies that both characters have told may tear this friendship apart.  Eventually, the reader will enjoy families and friends being reunited and a heart warming “happily ever after”.

Critical Analysis:

In this quickly paced and heartwarming story Lily is like many young children who suffer from low self-esteem.  Lily describes herself as, “a last-row, last-seat kid in school with terrible marks... [who] told lies every other minute."  Young readers who family members are currently fighting in wars will identify with the feelings that Lily has when he father is sent overseas.  She is angry and frustrated and refuses to tell her father goodbye. 

Giff accurately recreates what it is like on the home front during World War II.  She uses her own memories of what it was like to grow up during this war stricken era.  The details of the war are enough for young readers to grasp the heartache and turmoil that happened during WWII without being overly graphic. 

Booklist (Vol. 93, No. 11 (February 1, 1997))

“Gr. 5-8. With wry comedy and intense feeling, and without intrusive historical detail, Giff gets across a strong sense of what it was like on the home front during World War II.”

Kirkus Review (1996)

“Details are woven with great effect into this World War II home front story.”

Publishers Weekly (January 21, 1997)

“Exceptional characterizations and a robust story line turn this WWII home front novel into far more than a period piece.”

Connections

 *Students can create a character web about Lily.

*Assign groups different WWII topics and conduct research.

*Have students partner up and write letters back and fourth as if they we Lily and Albert.