From the legendary civil rights activist and author of the million-copy-selling Warriors Don’t Cry comes "a visceral and vital memoir" about growing up in the segregated South (Publishers Weekly, starred review).
Civil rights heroine Melba Patillo Beals, one of the Little Rock Nine, puts readers right in her saddle oxfords as a young activist fighting back against the laws that told her she was less just because of the color of her skin. Now with a Q&A with Melba!
Long before she was one of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Pattillo Beals was a warrior. Frustrated by the laws that kept African-Americans separate but very much unequal, she had questions. Why couldn’t she drink from a "whites only" fountain? Why couldn’t she feel safe beyond home? Adults all told her: Hold your tongue. Be patient. Know your place. But Beals had the heart of a fighter—and knew that her true place was a free one.
Alongside photos, Beals recounts her early journey to becoming a champion for equal rights, a bestselling author, and the recipient of this country’s highest recognition, the Congressional Gold Medal.
From the legendary civil rights activist and author of the million-copy-selling Warriors Don't Cry comes an ardent and profound childhood memoir of growing up while facing adversity in the Jim Crow South.
Long before she was one of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Pattillo Beals was a warrior. Frustrated by the laws that kept African-Americans separate but very much unequal to whites, she had questions. Why couldn't she drink from a "whites only" fountain? Why couldn't she feel safe beyond home-or even within the walls of church? Adults all told her: Hold your tongue. Be patient. Know your place. But Beals had the heart of a fighter-and the knowledge that her true place was a free one.
With emotive photos, this memoir paints a vivid picture of Beals's powerful early journey on the road to becoming a champion for equal rights, an acclaimed journalist, a best-selling author, and the recipient of this country's highest recognition, the Congressional Gold Medal. Includes a Q&A with Melba and bonus audio clip.
? "In a visceral and vital memoir, journalist and activist Beals (
Warriors Don’t Cry), who integrated Central High School as one of the Little Rock Nine, recounts growing up African-American in 1940s Arkansas 'under the umbrella of the rules and traditions of my oppression.'"-
Publishers Weekly, STARRED review "A valuable addition to the stories of life in Jim Crow America."-
Kirkus, review "Beals' recollection of white oppression and her rise above it will haunt readers. A must-read for teens."--
School Library Journal "Young readers will be gripped by Beals' personal courage and determination to march forward for civil rights at such a young age."--
Booklist 
