One Crazy Summer Quote Connection Activity

Having students choose a favorite quote or scene from the book allows them to express which parts of the story resonated with them on a personal level. In this way, students are making a text-to-self connection that demonstrates their understanding of the characters and their development or the themes of the novel. Students can share their storyboards afterwards and have a short discussion about what the quotes mean to them.

Some students may end up choosing the same quote, but have different perspectives. This is always interesting for students to see and can open up a discussion as to how not everyone can read the same lines in the same way based on their own perspectives and personal experiences.

Examples of Quotes from One Crazy Summer

"A large white woman came and stood before us, clapping her hands like we were on display at the Bronx Zoo."

"Vonetta had gone over Miss Patty Cake with the black Magic Marker, leaving pink lips and pink rouge circles peeking out on a once-white face."

"The Mike Douglas Show wasn't the only place to find [Black] people on television. Each week, Jet magazine pointed out all the shows with [Black] people. My sisters and I became expert [counters]. We had it down to a science."

"It hadn't occurred to me that Cecile didn't own a hot comb or curling iron, even though that fact was as big and thick as her unpressed braids. She'd said, "Naughty? Your hair ain't naughty. It ain't misbehavin. It's doing what God meant it to do."

"I birthed a black nation. From my womb black creation."

"Like Huey said, 'We should all carry the weight, and those who have extreme abilities will have to carry extremely heavy loads."

Sister Mukumbu announced, "Today we're going to be like the earth, spinning around and affecting many. Today we're going to think about our part in the revolution."

Mrs. Woods said, "We know the same things. We have to stick together."

"Be eleven, Delphine. Be eleven while you can."