The Lions of Little Rock

 The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine

This novel first came to my attention in early January. It was receiving some serious Newbery attention. Even though it didn’t receive a Newbery medal, it still made the Rebecca Caudill 2014 list. It is the first Caudill Nominee I have read that reminds me of something I would have read when I was in 5^th through 8^th grade. I’m struggling to put the “why” into words.

This is the story of Marlee Nisbett, a seventh-grader in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1959, the year after the Little Rock Nine made headlines. She is the daughter of two teachers. She is the youngest of three children. Big brother, David, is away at college. Big sister, Judy, is in high school and has moved out of the girl’s shared room and into their brother’s newly vacated room leaving Marlee feeling that her circle of people she can talk to is shrinking. Marlee is exceptional at math and a failure at speaking.

It is the beginning of the school year and the number one concern on Marlee’s mind is how quickly she can convince her new teachers that she simply will not talk beyond a curt numerical answer to a math question that she is convinced will be right. Big sister on the other hand requires that Marlee attempt at least a five-word sentence. Marlee has three surprises in store for her the first day. Number one: she speaks five words nearly effortlessly. Number two: she speaks them to a new girl. Number three: the boy she has had a crush on since forever asks her to tutor him in math.

Two of the three surprises progress towards good things. Marlee gains a new friend, Liz, who understands that Marlee has the right to be quiet. Liz is more than happy to fill the silence. Liz also recognizes that Marlee is a hard worker and asks to be her history partner. Liz is determined that Marlee will help her give a presentation in front of the entire class. And Liz is willing to prepare her in advance. The third surprise… JT doesn’t really want a tutor. He wants someone to do his math and Marlee just isn’t strong or vocal enough to take a stand and say “no.” That is where her criminal activities begin – cheating.

Everything above is what made this novel comforting to me as well as an easy read. A healthy helping of a supportive family, an appropriate dose of junior high academics, an intriguing new friendship topped off with a spritz of dare I say… romance. This is real life in my experience.

The novel becomes extraordinary when Marlee goes to school to discover that Liz has been pulled from school and won’t be back. Liz is a colored girl passing for white. And that makes their friendship extremely dangerous for everyone involved. Both girls are forbidden to reestablish a friendship, but neither girl listens. This is sticks of dynamite dangerous. This is a most enjoyable read for junior high girls. Can you imagine… finally finding a friend who complements you and then being banned from seeing them. Maybe in the past, but now?