Middle Grade Book of the Week: Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine.

This is really my book from last week, but I did not finish in time. Hoping to squeeze in another one in the next few days so I’m back on schedule.

Summary

It’s 1958 and Little Rock, Arkansas is divided over the issue of desegregation. As the book opens Marlee Nisbett is more concerned with her own fears about starting middle school than politics. The math whiz is terrified of talking to others. Then she meets a new girl, Liz, who helps Marlee overcome her fears. Then, it’s discovered that Liz is black girl “passing” as white. She is expelled from school and forbidden from making contact. However, the bonds of friendship cannot be broken that easily. The girls continue to meet in secret. Liz helps Marlee find her voice and Marlee helps Liz think before she speaks. As the tension surrounding school integration increases, the girls begin to take an active role in creating change. This brings the danger closer to home.

My Thoughts

The Lions of Little Rock highlights an important historical event. Set around the desegregation of Little Rock’s schools I thought it did a good job of showing characters beliefs evolve throughout the book, without being unrealistic. Characters don’t go from extreme racists to activists. It’s a much more subtle change as people who were content to accept the status quo realize they can’t stay silent any longer. It does a great job of showing how to organize and make change.

While the historical element is obviously the driving force of the story, the story is relatable to anyone trying to find their voice. At the beginning of the story Liz asks to be Marlee’s partner for a project because she realizes that due to her silence Marlee doesn’t get credit for her work. Instead of letting Marlee do all the work then taking credit, Liz works with Marlee to help overcome her fear of public speaking. Throughout the story, Marlee begins speaking to more people and she realizes it gets easier. It’s beautiful to see the difference one friend can make.

While I really enjoyed this book, I see it more as a great book to read in a class than one that a typical kid would read for pleasure.