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Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration
Nine African American students made history when they defied a governor and integrated an Arkansas high school in 1957. It was the photo of one of the nine trying to enter the school a young girl being taunted, harassed and threatened by an angry mob that grabbed the worlds attention and kept its disapproving gaze on Little Rock, Arkansas. In defiance of a federal court or...more
Paperback, 64 pages
Published
August 1st 2011
by Compass Point Books
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Well done and poignant, but perhaps not outstanding. You meet the two main subjects of the photo and the photographer, and get a nuanced and lively context for their ongoing lives as well as Little Rock, segregation, the Civil Rights movement. Its facts are careful and its text smooth and accessible.
While I think the emphasis on the visual record is used effectively in the book and will capture young readers' attention, the book doesn't fulfill the promise of its title. I wonder if some squeezi...more
While I think the emphasis on the visual record is used effectively in the book and will capture young readers' attention, the book doesn't fulfill the promise of its title. I wonder if some squeezi...more
School Library Journal: When Will Counts snapped a photo on September 4, 1957, Elizabeth Eckford reluctantly became the face of the fight for school integration in Little Rock. In it, Eckford is poised and stoic as Hazel Bryan, shouting violently, follows behind her. This book explores the photo in depth, providing the perspectives of the two subjects and the photographer and discussing what the image meant in the struggle for school integration. Tougas works with this premise and provides reade...more
On September 4, 1957, nine black students were to meet at the home of Daisy Bates, the local head of the NAACP and then, together with a police escort, they were to head to Little Rock's Central High School in an attempt to integrate the school. Unfortunately,Elizabeth Eckhorn's parents didn't own a phone so she didn't get the message. She arrived first and alone at the school and was immediately surrounded by an angry white mob.
Will Counts, a local photographer, was able to capture this event -...more
Will Counts, a local photographer, was able to capture this event -...more
This review is a first for The Dirty Lowdown, which is befitting since the subject of this book was also a first, although infinitely more courageous and important. This book, Little Rock Girl 1957, meant for readers ages eight through about fourteen. That makes this the first “JUVENILE” book we have reviewed here. That said, I know an awful lot of adults that could benefit from a refresher course in American History.
On September 4, 1957, less than two weeks from today, in Little Rock, Arkansas...more
On September 4, 1957, less than two weeks from today, in Little Rock, Arkansas...more
A brief but specific look at the photo that was seen around the world in 1957. Elizabeth Eckford hadn't gotten the message that everyone was meeting at someone's house on their first day of integrating Little Rock Central High School, so she calmly walked to the bus stop behind tinted sunglasses and a crisp white dress to wait while hecklers walked behind her shouting. This picture and it's photographer are discussed about it's ramifications, the civil rights movement, desegregation and specific...more
Interesting story about the Little Rock Nine -- and, specifically, about the power of photography to influence and inform. This is a familiar story to many, and most libraries probably have material about it, but this book takes an interesting slant in explaining how the now-famous photos were taken and the stories behind them. As an Indiana resident, I was pleased to learn that Will Counts, a native of Arkansas, and the photographer responsible for the now well-known photos, went on to join the...more
Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration, by Shelley Tougas, tells the story of how the photograph of 15-year-old Elizabeth Eckford trying to enter Little Rock Central High School amidst jeers of white students and other white people from the community captured the racially charged moment for all of history. Photographer Will Counts, a local newspaperman, dressed deceptively in a plaid shirt instead of a suit, was able to move in very close to his subjects. He re...more
Grade/Interest Level: 6-8
Lexile Level: 1010L
Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book
Main Characters: Little Rock 9
Setting: Little Rock, Arkansas -1957
POV: Third Person
This book provides the reader with background information on the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas 1957. The book mostly uses pictures to convey the message of that difficult first day of school for the African American students. This day was especially difficult for Elizabeth Eckfort who did not receive the c...more
Lexile Level: 1010L
Genre: Nonfiction, Information Book
Main Characters: Little Rock 9
Setting: Little Rock, Arkansas -1957
POV: Third Person
This book provides the reader with background information on the integration of Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas 1957. The book mostly uses pictures to convey the message of that difficult first day of school for the African American students. This day was especially difficult for Elizabeth Eckfort who did not receive the c...more
This book was just amazing. The author took a photograph that probably most adults have seen at least once in one of their history textbooks (whether they remember it or not) and really makes both it and the era come alive for readers of all ages.
The photographs are definitely the stars in this book, as they really show readers snapshots of what was happening in the Arkansas of 1957, but the text is just as effective. It tells, simply but with great impact, what was going on in the South at tha...more
The photographs are definitely the stars in this book, as they really show readers snapshots of what was happening in the Arkansas of 1957, but the text is just as effective. It tells, simply but with great impact, what was going on in the South at tha...more
A solid NF choice about the battle over integrating Little Rock's schools, told with lots of photos and some broader context. Would pair well with Lions of Little Rock.
There are few interesting pieces of follow-up information in this book I'm gonna share:
#1. Apparently, the snarling racist white girl and the stoic, just-trying-to-learn-over-here black girl eventually became friends. The friendship doesn't seem to have lasted, but it's pretty crazy that they were posing for chummy photos as adul...more
There are few interesting pieces of follow-up information in this book I'm gonna share:
#1. Apparently, the snarling racist white girl and the stoic, just-trying-to-learn-over-here black girl eventually became friends. The friendship doesn't seem to have lasted, but it's pretty crazy that they were posing for chummy photos as adul...more
Little rock girl 1957
By: Shelly Tougas
This true story is about nine African American high school students, and their fight to end segregation. This story takes place in little rock, Arkansas in 1957. This is a third person story told from the view point of Elizabeth Eckford, who is one of the nine African American students.
I think one of the weaknesses of this book is, that they only focus on one of the nine students. I think one of the strengths are, that they showed how much courage that Eliza...more
By: Shelly Tougas
This true story is about nine African American high school students, and their fight to end segregation. This story takes place in little rock, Arkansas in 1957. This is a third person story told from the view point of Elizabeth Eckford, who is one of the nine African American students.
I think one of the weaknesses of this book is, that they only focus on one of the nine students. I think one of the strengths are, that they showed how much courage that Eliza...more
The story of the Little Rock Nine fascinates me. Here is heroism beyond my imagination. I can't imagine how brave those kids must have been, or how strong their parents. But historically speaking, it doesn't seem to get the attention it deserves. On the 50th anniversary of the integration, there was no media hoopla. This book doesn't add a great deal to what I've read in previous books. It does provide a nice account and some great pictures. We get to see what the Nine did with their lives. We l...more
My daughters and I found this book during a trip to the library, and it has been a wonderful opportunity to share history with them as well as talk about the destructive nature of racism. The first thing that they noticed from the cover was Hazel Bryan's distorted face as she spewed racial slurs at Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock Nine. My response to them was, "Isn't it terrible that this young girl will always be remembered for her hatred towards another person?" And, one daughter res...more
Inspirational. This is the only word I think that describes this book best.
As with Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression , this book uses images to tell the story. Looking at these photographs, you see heroism, bravery, peer pressure, savagery, deep-rooted prejudice, tolerance... It is a vaste palette of emotions and human experiences.
Note: A copy was provided to me by the publishers via NetGalley for the purposes of this review.
As with Migrant Mother: How a Photograph Defined the Great Depression , this book uses images to tell the story. Looking at these photographs, you see heroism, bravery, peer pressure, savagery, deep-rooted prejudice, tolerance... It is a vaste palette of emotions and human experiences.
Note: A copy was provided to me by the publishers via NetGalley for the purposes of this review.
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I knew that Elizabeth Eckford never got the news that all of the students were to meet at Daisy Bates' house (head of the state's chapter of the NAACP) so that they could all walk to school together. I'm sure we've all seen the photo of the white mob with twisted faces spewing hatred at an African-American student trying to walk to school. However, I didn't know how far that mob had followed the 15-year-old Eckford. They surrounded her at a bus stop and threatene...more
I knew that Elizabeth Eckford never got the news that all of the students were to meet at Daisy Bates' house (head of the state's chapter of the NAACP) so that they could all walk to school together. I'm sure we've all seen the photo of the white mob with twisted faces spewing hatred at an African-American student trying to walk to school. However, I didn't know how far that mob had followed the 15-year-old Eckford. They surrounded her at a bus stop and threatene...more
This book taught me so much that I didn't know about Little Rock! I was surprised to learn that the reason Elizabeth was alone in this famous photo was that the students' meeting place was changed last minute and the others were unable to tell her in time. I did not know that only 1 of the Little Rock 9 graduated from Little Rock Central High. It was appalling to find out it took 15 years for the school to be fully integrated. Fantastic book for kids, I definitely need to buy a copy for my class...more
After reading Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine, I had to read The Little Rock Girl 1957. The book is not too long and included captioned photographs on every page of the events during the conflict. The book also includes information about the current lives of the Little Rock 9 as well as some of the reporters and the segregationists. The pictures alone are worth the reading but the text is so informative as well. Must read for every one.
Wow! That picture really does say it all. You can feel the hatred spewing right through the photograph. Great photographs, timeline, glossary, source notes, and more to supplement this troubling time in U.S. history. All of the books in the "Captured History" series that I have been reading really bring events to life and inform readers of significant points in our history in a very interesting way. I am learning a great deal!
I loved the end of this book when it described Melba Pattillo Beals returning to Little Rock's Central High 40 years after the conflict and being greeted by the president of the student body who was black. She said, "This was why I had endured all the pain and physical punishment - so this boy could stand there and say that. It was amazing." That gave me chills. It was sad, though, that the reconciliation between Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan Massey, of the infamous photograph, didn't last....more
Informative, includes index, timeline, glossary and a page for online resources. Touches upon journalism and the impact of a photo, and text itself is diverse enough for a broad range of grades (3rd and up). Haunting quote "I had to learn...how to get from that door to the end of the hall without dying."
Another Capstone winner.
Another Capstone winner.
Students interested in the civil rights movement and the integration of schools will enjoy this book. Also, those interested in photo journalism and using photographs as a means of telling a story will love this book. I especially liked the "Where are they now," section of the book. Great non fiction read for students.
I recently read Elizabeth and Hazel: Two Women of Little Rock, by David Margolick . This juvenile nonfiction title tells the same story in its own way. It's an appealing idea to study a period of history through the lens of a single photograph. I look forward to reading other titles in the Captured History series.
Great middle grade non-fiction telling of the story of integration. I like the personal look at the people involved in the event combined with the moving photographs of the events. Definitely a great addition to a classroom or library collection.
any book that makes me cry gets 5 stars...that is pretty much every book I read...but still...five stars! Brilliant account of the Little Rock 9 and their bravery. AACK...here's where I start crying again on the reference desk...
A very accessible title for kids to read and understand more about the civil rights issues of 1950- 1960. This tells the story of the LIttle Rock Nine and the hatred surrounding them integrating the schools.
Will be adding this our collection. Recommend.
Will be adding this our collection. Recommend.
Despite the title, this book spends very little time discussing the impact of the photo on Elizabeth Eckford and Hazel Bryan, and does not discuss the important role photography played overall in the Civil Rights Movement.
Discusses the history of the Little Rock Nine, the fight for school desegregation and the start of the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of a single photo that helped shape the debate over racism in America.
Discusses the history of the Little Rock Nine, the fight for school desegregation and the start of the Civil Rights Movement through the lens of a single photo that helped shape the debate over racism in America.
My students were captivated with this book. They were astounded that law enforcement officers were allowed to be so brutal and go against the Federal laws of the country....out of the mouths of babes.
How brave "The LIttle Rock 9" were as teens! So impressive to see what amazing things they have done with their lives too! Powerful book and photos!
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Nov 25, 2012 08:56am