Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Saunders
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Girls reconcile with estranged mom in fun graphic novel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
When ONE CRAZY SUMMER begins, sisters Delphine, Vanetta, and Fern are on a plane from Brooklyn, New York, to Oakland, California, to visit their mother, Celine. Celine left the family when Fern was a baby, leaving them with their father and grandmother. When they arrive, Celine is still cold to them, but at the local Black Panther community center, they find a warm welcome and an education about the changing world of 1968.
Is It Any Good?
This is a fun, beautiful graphic novel, packed with story and information. One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel subtly communicates both the excitement of the social change that came for Black people and women in the late 1960s, as well as the human cost that sometimes came along. The book is suited to mature kids who are ready for a discussion about sensitive topics including police brutality and the pain of parental abandonment and loss. This adaptation preserves Rita Williams-Garcia's sharp dialogue and memorable characters, while Sharee Miller's art is bright, bold, and expressive. A great read for fans to enjoy this beloved classic in a fresh way and for readers new to this vibrant story.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of courage in One Crazy Summer. What are the different ways characters show courage in personal relationships and public life?
Had you heard about the Black Panther Party of the 1960s? What would you like to learn about them? How do the Black Panther characters in One Crazy Summer help the people involved with them find a sense of integrity?
How does compassion for self and others influence the characters' actions in One Crazy Summer?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Sharee Miller
- Genre : Graphic Novel
- Topics : Activism , Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Quill Tree Books
- Publication date : May 6, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 304
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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