The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

     The author surprised me a little by setting her story the year after the Little Rock Nine were the first African American students in the segregated schools.  The history books make it seem that integration was accomplished in one year, but we learn from our main character, Marlee, that this was not the case.  As she struggles to overcome her own shyness and make new friends, she finds herself in the middle of the race crisis.  How she and her family cope gives the reader a realistic glimpse (including some name-calling)  into what life was like for those in Little Rock during that very difficult year.  This would be good to read aloud with students or for advanced readers.