As part of our book club, I got to read One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia. It is a children’s book deserving of its many awards. 

Set in 1968, Delphine and her sisters travel across the United States to Oakland, California to spend a summer with the mother who abandoned them 7 years earlier. Amid all the family drama, Delphine and her sisters also face a time of racial upheaval in the States.

With well described, believable characters and a clear writing style for a younger audience there is a lot happening in this story. It is emotional and very relevant for today’s audience. The book is solidly written. It moves forward at a good pace, while dealing with a number of personal and societal issues. 

While I didn’t love it, I would recommend the story to really everyone. Racism is an issue. It is forefront in the news. And this book deals with how that looks for those living through it. With an eleven year old protagonist, the author doesn’t preach the problems of racism. But she shows it in the way the characters interact with the people around them. The discussion is thoughtful and sensitively done. 

As for why I didn’t love the book – there was a lack of dragons, magic and space elves. In short, it is just not a style of story I really enjoy. But I do appreciate the strength of the writing and the message the story brings forward. I also struggled with the mother abandoning her kids – which was more emotional than I need in my life at present (I am working on my stress levels). The young audience is still not my favourite at present. But this is entirely just where I am at in my life and not a reflection on the quality of the book – which was a quick read. 

Overall, well written with a poignant plot 5 out 5 stars.