Age: 4th-6th grade
Time: summer 1968

Plot: 11-year-old Delphine and her two younger sisters travel to Oakland, CA to visit their mother (Cecile) for the first time since she abandoned them seven years ago. Upon receiving a cold and careless greeting, the sisters are taken to Cecile's house where they are banished from the kitchen and forced to eat take-out food every night on the floor. Although Delphine feels somewhat affronted by Cecile's hostile attitude, Delphine brushes Cecile off as crazy in order to avoid emotions that may cause her more trouble. Warned to stay out of the house as long as possible, the sisters go for free breakfast and classes at a camp hosted by the Black Panthers. Delphine finds out that the Black Panthers aren't as radical as the news makes them out to be and she learns that their pride is very similar to the lessons her father taught her growing up.

Very unique handling of a revolutionary group that shouldn't get parents in a huff about aggrandizing militant revolutionary groups. Brief mentions of anti-establishment and anti-police. Excellent perspective of self-appreciation in a world where black girls are taught to appreciate white people. Also helps provide an understanding behind the way a person's personality forms.