Diamond’s Literary World Book Review
2 min read
One Crazy Summer
By Diane P. Rembert, DLW Reviews Columnist
Rita Williams-Garcia’s One Crazy Summer stands as one of the most essential works in modern children’s literature. Set in the turbulent summer of 1968, the novel follows sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern as they travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to reconnect with the mother who abandoned them. What begins as a journey of reunion quickly becomes a lesson in identity, history, and empowerment.
Their mother, Cecelia, is now a member of the Black Panther Party and sends her daughters to a summer camp run by the organization. There, they discover lessons on culture, unity, and the meaning of justice that shape how they see the world. Williams-Garcia weaves these experiences with tenderness and truth, capturing the intersection of childhood and revolution with remarkable balance.
In DLW Reviews, Diane P. Rembert gives One Crazy Summer her highest rating — 5 Diamonds — praising its honesty, depth, and relevance. “I highly recommend this book to both children and parents,” she writes. “It opens the door to discuss the history that many would like to erase.”
Diane’s review extends beyond the page, offering parents and educators a curated list of children’s books that continue the conversation. From Positive Affirmations for Black Girls to The Story of Fannie Lou Hamer and Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut, her selections celebrate identity, justice, courage, and imagination. Each book strengthens her mission to help readers build libraries that reflect truth, diversity, and love.
Through DLW Reviews, Diane P. Rembert continues to shape the landscape of literary criticism by creating a space where stories of empowerment and education take center stage. Her voice bridges generations, reminding us that reading is more than recreation; it is revolution.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 Diamonds)
Genre: Children’s Literature / Prejudice & Racism
Book: One Crazy Summer by Rita Williams-Garcia
Publisher: Quill Tree Books | Pages: 228
Read the full review and Diane’s complete list of recommendations in the latest issue of Intellectual Ink Magazine. Available now on Amazon and IntellectualInk.com.
