The School is Not White!

by Doreen Rappaport, Curtis James (Illustrator)

All they wanted was to learn. In Drew, Mississippi, in 1965, the schools were still segregated. The "all-black" schools were separate and unequal to "white" schools, lacking resources and support from the government. The Carters, a family of sharecroppers, had had enough. Mae Bertha and Matthew wanted their children to have an equal opportunity for a good education. So they sent their kids to the "all-white" schools.Teasing, death threats, and rebuking followed-from the white children and the white adults and teachers. It was not easy to be black and wage a fight for equality, but that's just what the Carters did. Their faith in a higher power and in the goodness of people helped them battle through ignorance and prejudice. As President John F. Kennedy said, "When Americans are sent to war, we do not ask for whites only. American students of any color should be able to attend any school." For the Carters, it would be the fight of their lives.This is a true story of faith, courage, and honor: qualities Americans of any color can learn from the Carters.

Genres: Picture Books, Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Biography

32 pages, Hardcover

First published August 10, 2005

About the author

Doreen Rappaport has written many books of fiction and nonfiction for young readers, specializing in thoroughly researched multicultural history, historical fiction, retellings of folktales and myths, and stories of those she calls the "not-yet-celebrated." Among her recent books is Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, which received a Caldecott Honor Award and a Coretta Scott King Honor Award for illustration. Doreen Rappaport divides her time between New York City and a rural village in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the author's note at the end of this book, Rappaport says that, after reading a book called Silver Rights by Constance Curry, she felt compelled to write about the Carter family, people she called "not-yet-celebrated" Americans. This black family, living in 1960s Mississippi, faced harassment, prejudice, job loss, and loss of home, all in order to send their children to a white school so that they could get a better education. Fortunately for these courageous people, there were Quakers and others to help them when times got hard. Rappaport tells the story simply, with quotes that are all authentic. Curtis James' colorful illustrations lend visual credence to the tale. I have said this before, and I'll say it again, I'll never understand prejudice just because of race or the color of one's skin. I was gratified to read at the end of the book that Mr. and Mrs. Carter and the eight children described in this book all went on to lead successful lives, some going on to college. I love reading stories like this, where good triumphs over evil, especially when the stories are true. I highly recommend this book, which should be an example to children of how valuable education is.

[Andee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Before reading this aloud to 4th and 5th graders I ask them to list Civil Rights heroes. After reciting the "big ones"; MLK, Rosa Parks, Ruby Bridges, etc... I talk to them about the boys and girls their ages who had to go to school every day with people who spit on them, called them names, and treated them like poison.

The Carter children were some of the first black children to attend a white school. Although, "Mama said, 'The school is NOT white! It's brown brick." The kids respond well to this story imagining themselves in the same situation.

We needed heroic speakers like Dr. King. But we also needed brave children who were willing to sit through hate to show the world what was right.

[Shelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read true story of one African American family from Mississippi who exercised their new right to attend any school they chose. The Carter's where the first black family to attend a local school that had been all-white until recent laws had changed under Lyndon B. Johnson. After reading this my daughter and I were discussing the book and the bravery it took this family to be the first and encourage other black families to attend any school; hopefully while tearing down the walls of segregation within their community. I don't think I could have had the same courage, truly remarkable.

[Casey Mcguire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main Characters:
Carter family
Setting:
This story takes place in Mississippi in 1965.

Grade/interest Level: (Primary)
Reading Level: AD850L
Genre: Biography, Picture Book

Summary:

The School is not White, written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Curtis James, is a true story about the struggles of an African-American family trying to provide their children with a better education at an all-white school. In 1965, a federal law was passed in Mississippi that gave black children the “freedom of choice” to attend any school they desired. Because of this law the Carter parents sent their 8 children to an all-white school in order to receive a better education. This story shows the ridicule this family and children encounter from racist plantation owners, taunting peers, and disrespectful school faculty. In the end, the Carter family’s courage pays off. All the students finish high school and go on to have successful lives. More importantly, this family gives courage to other African-American families to send their children to different schools so they can receive an adequate education.

Classroom Use:

I would like to use this book in my classroom pertaining to a Civil Rights thematic unit. This book can work well for a variety of grade levels because the reading level is simple, but the content is powerful and discusses a subject that is very relevant to them - school. This story could be a great way to begin looking at Civil Rights' issues and showing students that even after laws have been passed, life for African Americans remained (and still remains) very difficult.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Plot summary and personal response:
This story is about a black family's struggles as they are the first black students to attend a white school in Drew, Mississippi once black are finally given a chance to choose the school they wish to attend, 11 years after Brown vs Board of education.
This story is heart breaking and bittersweet. The pain these children go through is horrible, but their courage gave others courage to join them in changing education.

Literary Merit: Discuss 1-2 literary elements of the book that you consider to be noteworthy (Refer to Chapter 1). You will want to include quotes from the text and specific consideration of relevant issues (gender, culture) based on the text and course content.

Genre Considerations:
This book is based on events that a real family lived through because of their African-American heritage.

Reader Response / Classroom Connections:
1. As a class, create a list of things it takes courage to do, and why it takes courage.
2. Individually, write about a time your family helped you have courage to do something.

Text Set: Family – non-fiction: the love of family can help you have courage to fight for what’s right and set an example for others.

[Felita · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1965, eleven years after Brown v Board of Education, the town of Drew, Mississippi finally offered a “freedom of choice” plan for black children to attend any school they wanted. Matthew and Mae Bertha Carter, sharecroppers, dreamed of a better life for their eight children. The Darters knew that a good education would get their children out of the fields. After enrolling seven of their eight children in Drew’s all-white school they were threatened with violence at their home and subsequently evicted.
On September 3, 1965, Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter watched their seven children go off to war, armed only with love. At school they were harassed and ignored by classmates and teachers- alike for the next five years. The Carter children persevered because of Mae Bertha’s inner strength. Not only did all eight Carter children graduate from high school, but seven also completed college and two have earned master’s degrees. The story of the Carter family reminds us that there were hundreds of child civil rights heroes like the Carter children.

[shranicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This non-fiction information book is about The Carter family in 1965. Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter worked on a plantation where they picked cotton for money. They did not want their kids to have to grow up and do this so they sent them to a white school, which was unheard of during this time in the town of Drew. The kids were spit on, called names, and hated this school. But they continued to go so that they could show other black families that it could be done. Once one of the children graduated, other black families saw that it could be done and more and more black children were signed up for these “white schools”. This book is beautifully illustrated. My favorite part of the illustrations is the fact that you can truly see the hurt and anger on these kids’ faces with each turn of a page. It makes you feel as if you’re there and actually experiencing this with these children. Beautiful book, I definitely recommend it.

[Treasa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the inspiring story of the Carters, seven black children who chose to attend all-white schools when a law was passed in 1965 saying that black children could attend any school they wanted. As the only black children at the schools, they faced insults and jeers for years. Their father lost his job, and the family had to move. But the children, with the support of their parents, stayed at the schools despite the hatred that was directed at them and eventually all graduated from high school.

This is a powerful story from the Civil Rights Movement and not one that is well known. The Carter family was amazingly strong and brave, and Rappaport does a wonderful job of conveying this in the book. The illustrations by Curtis James work well with Rappaport's text.

Overall, this is a very good book.

[Erin Lorimer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quite magical and heart warming book! The simple fact that this is a true story of he civil rights movement naturally draws the reader in. The Carter's were determined parents who wanted a better life for their children, and eventually accomplished their goal after long, gruesome days at school for their seven black children. An historical turning point set to words and illustrations for children's understanding.


**The clever remark that "The School is Not White" plays a significant role in this book. The reader is automatically put into perspective by the straight forward title. The Carter parents only wanted better for their children, as most parents do, except this family would make history. This is a great book to expose children to when learning about integration and the struggle and isolation people went through to make it possible for us to be where we are today.

[Debra Landay · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book that can be used at many different ages. It tells the story of a black family that integrated a white school. The racism and challenges of black children integrating white schools is more meaningful in this book than just reading pure information. Additionally, this format allows teachers to teach about racism and equality at an earlier age than if one could only use an information book.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published: 2005
Genre: Multi-cultural (non-fiction)
Theme: School Segregation, Courage
Summary: A story of the Carter families plight with the injustic of segregation and their courage to overcome feelings of inequality and loneliness to make a better life for themselves and for all African Americans.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this simply told tale about the integration of white schools in the south. It doesn't offer too much detail, just enough to give a sense of the problem. It also has information about the people the story was based off of in the back, talking about the influence their father had on them.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't like that the book purports to quote JFK, but then the author's note indicates that it isn't an actual quote?? I don't find that sort of inaccuracy to be an appropriate way of making history understandable for children.

[Rachel]

Great book about 7 children who go to an all white school. This is a true story! A great read aloud that leads to many discussions.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great book! I love to read about the brave people involved in the Civil Rights Movement.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good companion/intro book to "Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Patillo Beals.

[Tory · Rating 3 out of 5]

An inspiring story about desegregation. The history is much better than either the illustrations or the story, but still a good read for historical context.

[ReadingWench · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could not go through what these children did. The bravery they showed!

AR 4.6

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doreen Rappaport is a wonderful picture book biographer who states that she writes books about “not-yet-celebrated” people. In this title the Carter family of Drew, Sunflower County, Mississippi. It was 1965 and the Carters wanted their children to attend the all white school in Drew, after all eleven years had passed since school segregation had been ruled illegal by the U. S. Supreme Court. Seven of the Carter children were enrolled in the all white Drew schools and it was a tough experience for those seven to receive their education. Eventually other black families enrolled in the all white schools.

My person onsite observations, with connections to a teacher who began her teaching career in Sunflower County schools.
Sunflower County is a beautiful Mississippi Delta agricultural community, with great food, wonderful music, and beautiful art creations, but while schools are desegregated and black students attend the public schools, segregated education continues in the Mississippi Delta. Now there are private tuition Academy schools attended by white students. Most people are unaware of this situation. However, in the Delta there is great support from a number of white people who support Teach for America which places high achieving college students from across the United States into the public schools for cultural awareness as well as good academic teaching standards.

We are a great United States of America and we have much to learn from each other and about each other.

[Ashlyn Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book! This book was very informative and super detailed. I love how this is based off a true yet popular story. I have heard about this before and to read a book that is based on it put it into so much more perspective. I love how this author was not scared to talk about all the bad, yet real, things that happened to the Carter children at the white schools. It is sad because this is how history really was. Other authors are somewhat nervous to go into this much detail and realism with their books but I think it is great that this author did so that we can relive the power and the struggle that this family and this time period went through with discrimination of color! This book is great and I think is a great learning piece for children to read about the civil rights and the "realness" behind this book! Great read!

[Kimberly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleven years after Brown Vs. Board of Education was decided the seven school-aged Carter children still attended a black school with a leaky roof and no books. The Carter parents decide to send their children to the "White School" Mamma told her children "The school is not white. It's brown brick. And that school belongs to you as well as it belongs to them." The book tells the multi-year struggle of the Carter family to get a quality education or their kids.

The book has an endnote with information about the grown Carter Children's lives.

Tags: African Americans -- Education -- School integration -- United States -- Race relations -- Carter family -- Biography

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is going to stick with me. Those brave children who went to school year after year despite being treated horribly by their peers, teachers, and administration. What a sacrifice for their parents, Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter, to send them knowing what they would experience, but also knowing that it was for the greater good. I hope I can teach my children as well as they did to stand for the right.

[Rebecca Caufman · Rating 5 out of 5]

"This is a true story about and American Family." Important story about the Carter family and how their 7 children began the desegregation in a Mississippi town. "On September 3, 1965, Mae Bertha and Matthew Carter watched their seven children go off to war in a shiny yellow school bus." Short enough that it can be used as a read aloud.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

While a bit simplistic for the target age group, this book is well illustrated and accessible for all readers, examining the experiences of the Carter family who defied societal pressure and encouraged their children to attend integrated schools that we not so accepting of their new students.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the 1960’s in rural Mississippi a African American sharecropping family made the decision to have their seven children integrate an all-white school.

[RLL22017-Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Carter's just wanted a better life for their children and wanted them to attend a white school. This book shows a true story of the Civil Rights Movement through images and the hardships African Americans faced in the past. At the time everything was segregated from schools, park benches, and even water fountains. School is Not White is a book that elementary students can use to look at pictures and a easy read.