Gone Crazy in Alabama
By Terreece Clarke,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Harrowing tale of Gaither girls' summer in the South.
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What's the Story?
The Gaither sisters are headed down South alongside hundreds of other New York kids for the summer. Leaving their neighborhood, father, and pregnant stepmother behind, Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern spend the summer in Alabama to visit relatives and find that farm life is far more complicated than it initially appears. Estranged family, sibling rivalry, and a horrible tragedy bring secrets, love, and devotion to life. The biggest question is: Will the girls survive going crazy in Alabama?
Is It Any Good?
In GONE CRAZY IN ALABAMA, Rita Williams-Garcia does a fantastic job of welcoming readers into the intimate life of the Gaither family. The story has great pacing, at times moving languidly like the slow summers of the South, then switching to breakneck speed when the action demands it. The characters are engaging, fun, and frustrating, just like families in real life.
Kids and families alike will love how well Williams-Garcia portrays the intricacies of family dynamics and the human spirit. No one is all bad or all good, and though family members may not react the way readers expect or want, they are loving and supportive in their own way.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the realities of sibling rivalry and how it's portrayed in the media. Does the interaction among the sisters in Gone Crazy in Alabama seen realistic?
Families also can talk about oral histories and traditions. What are your favorite stories about your family that you've learned?
How are the civil rights movement and the Black Lives Matter movement different? How are they similar? Use examples from the book.
Book Details
- Author: Rita Williams-Garcia
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Adventures, Brothers and Sisters, Great Girl Role Models, History
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: April 20, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 304
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Award: Coretta Scott King Medal and Honors
- Last updated: February 11, 2020
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