
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the complexities of family dynamics, particularly when a parent's love doesn't look like what they expected. It is an essential choice for children who carry a heavy load of responsibility for younger siblings or those beginning to ask questions about social justice and history. Set in 1968, the story follows three sisters sent to Oakland to meet their estranged mother, who is more interested in her poetry and the Black Panther movement than mothering. It beautifully navigates the realization that parents are flawed humans with their own histories. While it handles mature themes of abandonment and political activism, it remains grounded in a relatable, often humorous sisterhood bond suitable for middle grade readers. It offers a bridge to discuss how we define family and find our own voice within a changing world.
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Sign in to write a reviewDepicts historical 1960s racial tensions and police animosity toward activists.
A police raid on a community center and brief mentions of arrests.
Occasional use of era-specific terms and mild insults between siblings.
The book deals directly with maternal abandonment and systemic racism. The approach is realistic and historical rather than metaphorical. The resolution is bittersweet and realistic: Cecile does not suddenly become a traditional mother, but there is a breakthrough in understanding. It is secular in tone.
A 10-year-old 'old soul' who feels they have to grow up too fast or a child interested in how kids lived during important historical movements.
Parents should be aware of a scene where the Black Panthers' center is raided by police. It may require context regarding the history of the party versus the media portrayal of the time. A parent might see their child struggling with a 'fairness' gap, perhaps noticing a peer has a more present parent, or a child who is overly perfectionistic about taking care of others.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the funny sister dynamics and the 'mean' mom. Older readers (11-12) will grasp the political weight, the nuances of Cecile's identity as an artist, and the systemic pressures of the 1960s.
Unlike many books about the Black Panthers, this centers the domestic and childhood experience within the movement, making radical history feel personal and accessible through the lens of a family drama.
In 1968, sisters Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern travel from Brooklyn to Oakland to spend a month with their mother, Cecile, who left them years ago. Expecting Disney World, they instead find a mother who views them as an intrusion. Cecile sends them to a Black Panther-run summer camp while she focuses on her revolutionary poetry. The girls navigate the tension of the Civil Rights era while Delphine learns to stop being the 'mini-mother' and start being a child.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.