Title: The Lions of Little Rock
Author: Kristin Levine
Format: Paperback personal purchase
Release Date: January 5, 2012
Summary (from Goodreads): Two girls separated by race form an unbreakable bond during the tumultuous integration of Little Rock schools in 1958
Twelve-year-old Marlee doesn’t have many friends until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say, especially to Sally, the resident mean girl. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear – speaking, which Marlee never does outside her family.
But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumor that she was a Negro girl passing as white. But Marlee decides that doesn’t matter. Liz is her best friend. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are willing to take on integration and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.
I first heard of this book at MRA in March when Donalyn Miller shared it. The description drew me in. I ordered it and then it sat on my TBR pile for just a little bit too long. A student in my class read this book and called it the best book she ever read. She told me I had to read it. After she turned it in, I started reading it and I loved this book!
First of all, I love historical fiction. I also love reading about times in history I don’t know that much about. I have been familiar with school integration and the Little Rock Nine. But after that, I had no idea what happened. I mean, I never assumed everything was 100% better afterward and it took time, but I had no idea what happened. Levine does write in her author’s note that she set out to write a story about the Little Rock Nine, but many people she interviewed talked about the year after, the “lost year.” I am so glad she wrote about this time because I definitely learned something new. I like to have a variety of books on many different topics and time periods students may not know about so they may also learn something new.
Secondly, I love this story and characters. Marlee won me over on page one. I loved the way she looked at the world. I also loved Liz. She is a tough, strong character and she helps Marlee find her inner strength. The story between the two is a true story of friendship. I cheered for the two of them throughout hoping they could find a way to be together in their friendship even though I knew it would not be that easy. I felt invested in the story and wanted to keep reading to know what happened. I adored the ending. It wasn’t perfect, as it should not be, but it was filled with hope.
I highly recommend this book. I look forward to sharing it with many more students.
4/5 stars
Mrs. Crawford's Thoughts 