Name: Jessette Marie L.

Balendres

Grade & Section: 11-Apollo

CHAPTER 1.

The narrator has this idea that the clouds are causing the turbulence, and even though she knows she's
not totally right about the clouds, she keeps on telling tall tales about fighting clouds.

The narrator thinks about her caretakers, Pa and Big Ma (Pa's Ma), who will be worried about them
making a "grand Spectacle" of themselves. You can almost reach out and grab the air quotes around
that phrase. Delphine goes into a little thing about whether people call the famous boxer Cassius Clay or
Muhammad Ali, which sets our story firmly in the mid-1960s (he changed his name in 1964 (source)).
Consider yourselves warned that names are a big deal in this book. Then Delphine remembers their dad
dropping them off. Apparently, they're off to Oakland to visit someone named Cecile. Pa's not too
excited about it, though. The girls have high expectations of California. You know, sunshine, beaches,
Disneyland, but there's some tension around Cecile, it seems. Big Ma, for one, doesn't feel great about
the girls going out to see her (and that's putting it mildly). Then again, Big Ma doesn't like change. Cecile,
it turns out, left Pa and the girls on their own back in Brooklyn. She's the girls' mom, but she hasn't acted
like one.

Before their flight, Big Ma, the girls' grandmother, met another African-American woman in the airport
waiting area and asked the woman to watch over the girls during their flight. However, Delphine still
assumes responsibility for her younger sisters.

CHAPTER 2.

The narrator reflects a bit on their flight: Fern's young, Vonetta's naïve, but Delphine? She's the
responsible one—she looks way older than her mature age of eleven. Wait, eleven? Yep. She's wise and
responsible for her years. But then the captain announces that you can see the Golden Gate Bridge out
the window, and our narrator wants to squeal and act like a little kid again. The narrator tries to get
Vonetta to look, but she won't do it. Stubborn kid. Fern, on the other hand, is more than happy to lean
over everyone to take a gander. The airplane keeps circling and the narrator can't help herself—she
leans over her sister to get a peek at the bridge. At this point we learn the narrator's name because
Vonetta shouts it out in a fit: Delphine. The stir brings a stewardess (not "flight attendant") over to scold
Delphine for not having her seat belt on and seat back in the upright position. With this, Delphine feels
as if she has disgraced her entire race. Talk about pressure. As they head in for their final landing, we'd
like to be the first to welcome them to Oakland.

This book is set in Oakland, CA and it is a good book to teach about civic engagement, grassroots
organizing, solidarity and multi-ethnic/racial resistance.
CHAPTER 3.

On the ground, Vonetta feels more comfortable than Fern and asks the million-dollar question that's on
everybody's minds: What do they call Cecile? Mom? Ma? Cecile? Hey, you? Delphine has an answer of
course: Cecile is "Cecile" and when they describe her to other people, they call her "Mother," a plain,
dry, factual word. The girls wait with a stewardess for Cecile to pick them up, but it takes a bit longer
than expected. While they wait, a large white woman comes by and praises them for being adorable and
well-behaved. The lady even offers them money for being good. Delphine thinks this has more to do
with race than anything else—in other words, the lady is surprised black children are behaving so well,
which is super racist. The girls finally spot Cecile over at the cigarette machine (you know, since it's the
1960s so cigarette machines are all over the place, including inside airports). Delphine doesn't actually
know what Cecile looks like, but she just has a sense that the woman lurking behind the smokes is her
mother. Delphine is right; it is Cecile. No hugs or fuss from her, though—Cecile looks a little intimidating,
especially because she's dressed like a secret agent. Or at least that's how Delphine describes it. Cecile
doesn't offer to carry bags, or even slow down her walking to let the girls keep up. Not the warmest or
most helpful of mothers… Cecile selects a cab whose driver is wearing a black beret. This is the standard
garb for the Black Panthers. The driver even seems to know her, and calls her something like "Zilla."
Wait a minute… We thought her name was Cecile. A short, silent ride later they get out and start
walking. It seems like Cecile doesnt want to be seen with her daughters. Cue the sad awkward silence.
Then they get on the bus. Cecile orders them to go sit in the back while she bargains with the bus driver
over the rate. They have to spend a whole month with this lady, and already Delphine can't stand her.

While they wait, a large white woman comes by and praises them for being adorable and well-behaved.
The lady even offers them money for being good. Delphine thinks this has more to do with race than
anything else—in other words, the lady is surprised black children are behaving so well, which is super
racist.

CHAPTER 4.

Delphine remembers another of Big Ma's descriptions of Cecile: that she lives on the street, and a park
bench is her home. Specifically, Delphine remembers hearing this when she was six years old and
wondering why her mother would rather live on a bench than at home with her. Delphine eventually
learned that Big Ma's words were not to be taken literally, but she still expected that Cecile was in dire
straights. That's why the girls are so surprised when they arrive at Cecile's big green stucco house. It isn't
huge, and it certainly isn't opulent, but it's definitely worlds above a park bench. When they go in the
house, Cecile points them in the direction of their room and then pretty clearly wants to be done with
them. It's a bit cold if you ask us, and the girls certainly feel this, too. Delphine goes through a mental
checklist all the new facts she knows about her mother—secret agent disguise, pencils in her hair (did
we mention those?), prickly stucco house, cryptic dialogue, weird fake name (Zilla?) and generally
defying all expectations her daughters have of her—and determines Cecile is crazy. The girls head to
their room, pick beds, and then talk amongst themselves about their mother.
Delphine remembers another of Big Ma's descriptions of Cecile: that she lives on the street, and a park
bench is her home. Specifically, Delphine remembers hearing this when she was six years old and
wondering why her mother would rather live on a bench than at home with her.

CHAPTER 5.

They haven't eaten all day, and airline food doesn't count, says Vonetta Cecile knows Pa gave the girls
some money and demands they hand it over so she can pay for their food. We're talking all of it, every
penny. When the girls protest that the cash was for Disneyland, Cecile just laughs. They aren't going to
the happiest place on earth. Delphine hands over the money, though not without a good old-fashioned
stare-down. With that, Cecile sends them off to Ming's, a nearby Chinese restaurant to get take-out.
Now, Shmoop has nothing against Chinese take-out, especially for next-day breakfast, but Delphine
makes a good point that this is not a very motherly thing to do. Can't Cecile make them some chicken at
the very least? She drives this point home by once again pointing the girls in the right direction and
telling them to find their own way. Delphine says they should call Pa to let them know they're in safe
and sound, so Cecile directs them to a pay phone on the way. No food? No phone? No apparent concern
for the girls' well-being? Delphine does not feel very welcomed. Can't say we blame her. Cecile also
orders them to get paper plates and stuff because she doesn't want dirty dishes. Then she lets them
know that none of them can step foot in her kitchen—no way, no how. Okay… On the walk the girls get
to do some good people watching, at least. And if there's one thing you can say about California, the
weather is great. You can't beat the weather. There are a lot of kids around, too. One kid in particular
comes screaming by them on top of a "flying T." His speed makes the girls jump out of the way, which
leaves a bad taste in Delphine's mouth (luckily, she'll be getting Lo Mein soon). Before going to Ming's,
they head over to the pay phone, but it's occupied. Delphine discerningly (read: judgmentally) looks
over the man in the booth, noting in particular his afro haircut. To her, this makes him look like a
criminal (more on this over in our "Themes" section). So they walk into Ming's and a Chinese woman
behind the counter immediately shoos them away, actually calling them "stray cats" and shouting
something about no more free eggrolls. Needless to say, the girls are a bit confused—they never got any
free egg rolls.

When the girls protest that the cash was for Disneyland, Cecile just laughs. They aren't going to the
happiest place on earth. Delphine hands over the money, though not without a good old fashioned
stare-down. With that, Cecile sends them off to Ming's, a nearby Chinese restaurant to get take-out.

CHAPTER 6.

The girls leave Ming's and crowd into the now empty phone booth. Delphine talks to an operator and
says she wants to place a collect call to her father, Louis Gaither. (She calls by name, not by number. Ah,
the salad days). Big Ma picks up and immediately scolds Delphine for calling collect—that's when the
person you're calling gets charged instead of you—and for being out by themselves without Cecile. Well,
so much for comfort. But at least they called to check in, like they promised they would. Delphine cuts
to being back at Cecile's, a tablecloth on the floor and Cecile doling out Lo Mein. Delphine is especially
surprised when she sees Cecile break out some chopsticks and start eating with them. Successfully. She's
never seen anything like it before. Dinner passes without conversation. Crickets… As Cecile cleans up,
she's once again careful to tell the girls to stay out of the kitchen. (What is in the freaking kitchen?)
Bang. A loud, foreboding knock comes at the door. Delphine doesn't see much before they're sent back
to their room—just some people in dark clothes and Afros. Hmm… could that be the Black Panthers?

If it's a fairy tale you're after, keep looking because Delphine doesn't get some perfect mom by the end
of the book. In fact, she learns that her mom doesn't regret leaving the girls and moving to California.
She was young when she had them, plus she has poetry to write and the Black Panthers to support.

CHAPTER 7.

The girls huddle against the door and try to listen in on what's going on. (Oh, come on—don't act like
you've never done it.) Delphine hears Cecile frantically cleaning up all traces of having visitors (a.k.a. her
daughters) around, more proof in Delphine's mind that Cecile doesn't want her and her sisters there. It's
also further proof to Delphine that Cecile is a bit crazy; perhaps she's even hiding from someone. The
girls glimpse three people wearing all black and black berets. They can't hear much, though, only tone of
voice and a few words here and there. But Delphine gets the sense that the three are pressuring Cecile
into doing something "for the people." Doesn't sound like a bad thing, right? But then again, the
pressure is intimidating. The three say more about the people and Cecile counters with her art. These
are, apparently, opposing viewpoints. Delphine starts to recognize these people as Black Panthers. She
knows that the Panthers work to provide services like food and clothing to the black community—but
she also knows that they carry rifles and people are afraid of them. Delphine notices that Cecile doesn't
seem afraid, only annoyed that they want to use her materials and art for their purposes. Then Delphine
hears them call Cecile "INzila," like when the cab driver called her "Zilla" back at the airport. Turns out
Cecile is a Panther, too, with another name. The argument goes on, though we only get to hear what
Delphine understands of it, which isn't everything. She gets the gist, though, which is that the Black
Panthers are pushing an agenda for their cause, and Cecile doesn't seem to want to give into them.
Finally, she agrees, though, with one cryptic condition: that the Panthers have to take her kids. Whoa…
what? The girls chat about it and guess that maybe they want Cecile to write a poem, using her fancy
materials, about or for the cause of the people. Then they speculate that she's printing counterfeit
money on a printing press in the kitchen, and that she bought the house with all that money. No wonder
she wants them to steer clear of the kitchen. Everything is really jittery until the word "pokey" comes
into the conversation and the girls laugh. The tension is eased… for now.

Delphine is super wary of the Black Panthers when she first encounters them. As we've seen time and
again, she believes she knows all she needs to already, and the Black Panthers are up to no good.

CHAPTER 8.
Since Cecile doesn't act like a parent to the girls, it falls to Delphine to go through the bedtime routine.
She helps Fern and Vonetta bathe first, then takes care of herself. She cleans herself quickly, trying to
finish before her sisters start fighting and they all wind up sorry. Once in their pajamas, Delphine reads
Peter Pan as a bedtime story until her sisters fly off with Peter and Wendy to Neverland (or, you know,
fall asleep). Then Delphine gets out the big guns for herself: Island of The Blue Dolphins. Delphine drifts
off, but she wakes up when Fern wanders out to the kitchen to get a glass of water. The kitchen—gasp.
Cecile is still out there and is, shall we say, stern in her response to Fern's request. She won't even say
Fern's name, instead calling her "Little Girl." Delphine is angry at this but swallows her pride and asks
politely for Fern's water. Cecile begrudgingly agrees and slinks back into the kitchen. She closes the door
quickly, but not before Delphine catches a glimpse of a big pair of white wings hanging on the wall. The
strange object is oddly comforting for Delphine, who remembers Cecile as being a bit quirky—at least
she didn't leave the girls for a normal, boring life. When Cecile comes back she has a cup of water and
fire in her eyes. This scares Fern a bit and there's a showdown when Fern doesn't want to take the
water, but Cecile insists she does. Finally, Fern grabs the cup and proudly gulps it all in one swig, ready
to head back to bed. All along, Delphine notices that Cecile never actually says Fern's name. She
remembers how Big Ma said that Cecile left because she wasn't allowed to choose Fern's name, which
Delphine never really believed. But now that she's seen this, Big Ma's story must be right. Right?]

Because Cecile isn't acting like a mom to the girls, Delphine is in charge of the bedtime routine. She
initially assists Fern and Vonetta in bathing, and then she takes care of herself. She cleans herself fast,
hoping to finish before her sisters start fighting and everyone ends up apologizing.

CHAPTER 9.

The next day, Delphine hopes Cecile will make them breakfast or at least hang out with them a bit. No
such luck, though; Cecile tells the girls to scram and go to the "People's Center" for breakfast. What is
that? Cecile doesn't tell them, and instead she just points them in the right direction. The main
description is that there are a lot of black people wearing black clothes, and Delphine is worried about
heading into the middle of what she thinks will be a militant crew. Then Cecile hands them a box to give
to the Panthers, her contribution to the cause. Fern takes one last second to grab her doll, Miss Patty
Cake, much to the chagrin of the ice-cold Cecile, and then the girls head out the door. Their mother's
parting words? Take your time coming back. As the girls walk, they contemplate whether to call Pa and
Big Ma to come get them. Delphine decides against it since she doesn't want another tongue-lashing
from Big Ma for calling collect.

The basic description is that there are a lot of black people dressed in black, and Delphine is concerned
about walking into the heart of what she believes will be a militant gang. Cecile then delivers them a box
to donate to the Panthers as her donation to the cause.
CHAPTER 10.

The girls arrive at the People's Center to a sea of hungry kids, from young ones to teenagers, waiting
outside. There are guards with rifles standing outside, too. Then a police car comes driving by. Delphine
hands the box to the first Black Panther she sees and the girls head off in search of food. A few key
figures stand out to Delphine: three girls who promise to be their rivals, as well as a lanky guy with an
Afro—the same guy from the telephone booth the night before. He confronts them, too. Apparently, he
sees something wrong with the way Delphine and her sisters look, and he really doesn't like that Fern's
doll is white. After all, why should a little black girl have a white doll? It's just wrong, he points out.
Spunky little Fern doesn't take flak from anybody, though, and the other Panthers like her attitude when
she shrugs him off. Some other members tell this guy—Crazy Kelvin—to back down. One of the people
who stands up to him is named Sister Mukumbu. The girls get some food that reminds us of your classic
continental breakfast at a roadside motel, cold scrambled eggs and all. While they still hear some
ridicule from the other kids, the sisters stick together and stand up for each other. Go team.

Huey Newton and Bobby Seale created the Black Panther Party in order to challenge African American
injustice, build community, and expose corrupt institutions of power. The Black Panther Party had four
goals: educational equality, housing equality, employment equality, and civil rights.