The Lions of Little Rock

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The Lions of Little Rock
by Kristin Levine
published by Puffin Books

The Blurb

Two friends in 1958 Little Rock, one white and one black, take on segregation and danger to pursue their relationship. 

My Two Cents

Oh, this book had everything a middle grade novel should: friendship, a crush, change, and self-discovery.


The Lions of Little Rock is historical fiction, set in Arkansas in 1958.  The action is set right in the middle of a town and a people trying to figure out integration.  As easy as it would have been to make race the dividing line in this book, Levine stretches the story to more realistically show that not all white folks were against integration, and not all black folks were for it.  It was a hard time; everyone was trying to find their footing.

The history is fascinating and the story is lovely.  If you haven't read it, add it to your TBR list!

I loved the author's note in the back of the book:

"...I think people today forget that public schools are not just about reading and writing, math and test scores, but also about bringing different types of people together." Kristin Levine