108A TE Fall 2011 discussion

Why did you choose this book as one of your top choices?

Historical fiction, especially with a lead female character, has always been a favorite genre for me. I think that a child's viewpoint of the Black Panther Party and the Civil Rights Movement is one that has not been covered much and it will be interesting to see this side of the story. I look forward to reading this book, as I have heard that Williams-Garcia is a great author.

Although I don't get much free time to read, in the past I have found historical fiction books extremely interesting. There is something so intriguing about reading a story that you know had the possibility of actually happening. The fact that it takes place locally is even more exciting. I was also simply attracted to the lively colorful cover, and the fact that "summer" was in the title. It looks like it will be a great read!

In general, I like the reading historical fiction books because you get both the elements of fictional characters and nonfiction events! Also, like Angela said, the cover peaked my interest when I first heard it because it sounded like a fun story that occurred in the summer time. It sounds like an exciting and powerful story and I look forward to reading the book!

I selected this book as one of my top choices because it seemed interesting. I also like historical nonfiction and fiction books. I think it will be interesting to read about the children's interactions with the Black Panther Party. also, Because the setting is local it makes it more interesting and real.

What do we write about now? I would like to say that I relate to Delphine's personality and her relationship with her sisters. I also feel like she (maybe me) may snap someday and hopefully learn to look out for her own needs at least sometimes. I am still annoyed and almost angry at their mother Cecile/Nzila. What are your thoughts on characters and the content thus far?

I am not really sure what to write but I guess I'll give it a try. Feel free to disagree with anything I see.
I enjoyed the first half of this book. It is the story of a summer changing everything for a character. I found it very interesting to look at the black panthers from a child's perspective. I am also not a fan of the mother Cecile like Kristina. I think that she is self absorbed in her work and has no interest in her children. But on the other end it also a look at everything a mother has to give up to raise her children. From Delphines perspective her mother has a screw loose; but i think that Cecile is just not cut out to be a mother. One of the things that i am still wondering about Cecile is if she is a fugitive. She came to the airport all covered up and stays in her house all the time. I wonder if she did this because she is hiding from the authorities.
I think that Delphine is going to realize that she can't control her sisters forever. Because Delphine is the oldest she had to grow up faster then her sisters and I think that it effected her greatly. I think that she has a very straight forward no nonsense vibe about her. I think this may get her into trouble at the black panthers summer camp later on in the book because she is not afraid to stand up for herself and her sisters.
I find Fern fascinating. I think that her doll Miss Patty cake is like her security blanket of the outside world. She doesn't seem to need the doll around her sister but once she leaves the house she has to have it. Her doll is almost like her replacement for not having a mother.
I think that Vonetta is more of a groupie. She seems to latch on to whoever will have her. She attached herself to the Ankton sisters as soon as she got chance. I think that this summer camp is going to be highly influential on her and possibly permanently change her. This may even mean turning her against her sisters.

I definitely think that this summer camp is going to change the sisters. Whether it is for the better or worse I am not sure. I am also curious as to see what it will be like for the girls after they return home. Will they want to see Cecile again or return to California? It is possible that they may never really talk about what they did while in Oakland and in the camp.

I'm excited to read the rest of the book after class tomorrow!