Little Rock Girl 1957

Starred review from November 1, 2011
Grades 6-9 *Starred Review* The Captured History series poses the question, Can a photograph change the world? The answer, as explicated by these two outstanding volumes, is a resounding yes. Looking at an iconic image through the lens of history, culture, and media, the series gives readers a complete overview of how pictures can change perceptions. Little Rock Girl 1957 begins with the cover photograph of Elizabeth Eckford, an African American student trying to make her way into Little Rock High School. Right behind, her face contorted with anger, is a white student, Hazel Bryan. This photo, one of the most famous of the civil rights era, is a perfect point to begin a study of race relations, school integration, and, on a more personal level, the effect that picture had on both women. This series is model of nonfiction. Each volume takes an issue and looks at it creatively. The design is fresh and inviting, the writing is clear, and the back matter (including source notes) is useful and extensive. An all-round winner.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)

Starred review from January 1, 2012

Gr 5-9-When Will Counts snapped a photo on September 4, 1957, Elizabeth Eckford reluctantly became the face of the fight for school integration in Little Rock. In it, Eckford is poised and stoic as Hazel Bryan, shouting violently, follows behind her. This book explores the photo in depth, providing the perspectives of the two subjects and the photographer and discussing what the image meant in the struggle for school integration. Tougas works with this premise and provides readers with a full account of this troubling time in American history. The author makes good use of quotes throughout the readable text, enabling today's students to imagine walking in the shoes of one of the Little Rock Nine. Each page includes an archival photo, primary-source document, or biography of a key player in the event. A testament to the power of the press and the bravery of all who fought for equal rights, this book should be required reading.-Heather Acerro, Rochester Public Library, MN

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2012
Photographs can often be more powerful than the written word in bringing social change. The work of Lewis Hine to improve child labor laws and Will Counts to show the vulnerability of those trying to integrate schools are prime examples. These well-written narratives are illustrated with numerous captioned photographs. Timeline, websites. Bib., glos., ind.

(Copyright 2012 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)