This is a wonderful story of friendship, set against the backdrop of 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas. Many people know the history of the Little Rock Nine; the trailblazing African American students who were the first students to integrate the Little Rock high schools. But the story didn’t end there. This book looks at what happened after the National Guard left Little Rock. The high schools were closed that year, so that the schools couldn’t follow the federal orders to integrate. No high schools = no integration. Shy, twelve-year-old Marlee (who can, but doesn’t speak) watches how the unfolding events of that year affect her family: her teacher parents, her teenage sister, and college-aged brother. That year, Marlee develops a special friendship with new girl Liz, who brings her out of her shell. Liz is brave and sassy, where Marlee is quiet and reserved. Both girls are very smart and opinionated, and they develop an instant bond and deep friendship. One day Liz doesn’t show up for school, and the students (including Marlee) learn a startling fact about her. Liz has been “passing” for white, but is actually a very light skinned African American. The schools are still segregated, which means it is illegal for Liz to be attending Marlee’s school. This book looks at the civil rights movement from an unusual perspective: that of a twelve-year-old white girl. Her family, her neighbors, and her entire community take sides in the battle for civil rights and school integration. Some people even become violent. Marlee watches what is happening and develops a strong sense of self and of what she believes is right and wrong. Kristin Levine is one of my very favorite authors for young people. She writes about race relations from young people’s points of view. This is an outstanding and compelling story of an overlooked segment of American history Alexa Newman, Youth Services Librarian