Should this book stay on the list?

Absolutely, it should stay on the list. I had not heard of this book before I found it on the challenge list for July, but found it to be a wonderfully informative and evocative read. I knew vaguely of the events involved in integrating Central High School, but had no idea of the ongoing torture these high school students endured for an entire school year. It’s hard for me to imagine adults behaving as cruelly as some in this community did, or teachers turning a blind eye to the harassment inflicted by their students on these new classmates. This would be an excellent class read for middle or high school students.

I typically try to stay away from books with language, especially for my kids, but I think I am going to require them to read this in our homeschool this year.  They are high schoolers, and I think that this book was both heartbreaking and motivating.  I can’t believe people acted this way towards children.   I can’t imagine how afraid everyone must have been to get to a point where they felt justified in ignoring such horrendous treatment.   I also can’t imagine how these parents were strong enough to allow their children to fight this battle for people who did not appreciate it.

I think it should stay on the list. I knew of the integration in Little Rock, but I didn’t realize exactly what those students went through daily. You only ever hear of the part where the military had to escort them to school on their first day. You never hear of the abuse they endured throughout that year. It definitely stirred emotions while reading it.

This book absolutely should stay on the list.  I had no idea how bad it was and I’m really glad I read it.  Sadly due to the language I can’t have my students read it.  However I can share excerpts with them.  I can’t even imagine dealing with that on a daily basis.

This book should not only stay on the list, it should be required reading in every US high school, despite any language it might contain.  I can’t even remember any offensive language (other than the repeated use of the n word).  Probably because it was overshadowed by the amazingly horrific things happening to Melba and the other 8 students.  I had a vague sense of the initial difficulties, but no idea how the abuse continued unrelentingly day after day all year long.

As a teacher, I am beyond appalled and horrified at the way most teachers either ignored the abuse or perpetrated it themselves.  I cannot begin to understand how anyone responsible for students could do that.

As hard as it was to read, I am glad to have read this book.