Tougas,
S. (2012). Little Rock Girl 1957: How a
Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration. Mankato, MN: Compass Point
Books.
Little Rock Girl
1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration is the story
behind a photograph captured by newspaper photographer Will Counts of Little
Rock Arkansas. The photograph taken was that of young Elizabeth Eckford, one of
the nine African-American teenagers who were known as the Little Rock Nine. On
September 4, 1957 The Little Rock Nine were supposed to meet and together walk
into the all-white Central High School. But Elizabeth did not receive the
message and found herself alone in front of the high school. Alone amongst mobs
of angry white people Elizabeth was spat upon up, insulted verbally and not
allowed to enter the high school. The Arkansas National Guard, under the orders
of the Arkansas governor Orval Faubus prevented her entrance. During this
turmoil, Will Counts snaps a photograph of Elizabeth being followed by an
outraged white teen named Hazel Bryan. Later the photograph and Elizabeth
became symbols of courage and hope for the Little Rock crises.
The
book includes a table of contents, a timeline, glossary, additional resources,
source notes, selected bibliography and an index. The book is part of the “Captured
History” Series. According to Booklist, “This series is model 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” (Cooper, 2011, p.58).
It
also includes many black and white photographs of ranging from various scenes.
Some of them include the crowded and less equipped African American Schools; Photographs
of the young Little Rock Nine as well as in their later years; more pictures of
Elizabeth Eckford followed by the crowds or being interviewed by photographers
and reporters as well as a photograph of Elizabeth and Hazel Bryan in front of
the school reconciling in front of the Central High School in Little Rock.
According
to Heather Acerro from School Library Journal, “Each page includes an archival
photo, primary-source document, or biography of a key player in the event” (p.
143). This is evident in the vignettes such as the one of Governor Orval Faubus
where there is a picture of him holding up a sign the states he is against racial
integration of all schools within the Little Rocks School District. In his case
he was one of the main reasons for the conflict with the Little Rock Nine since
he was adamant against the desegregation of schools in Little Rock Arkansas and
shut down the schools before he allowed any African Americans to attend Central
High School. Each vignette is accompanied by a photograph with a caption along
with a brief summary of the people or person and the role they played during
the time of turmoil in Little Rock.
School
Library Journal states that “The author makes good use of quotes throughout the
readable text, enabling today’s students to image walking in the shoes of one
of the Little Rock Nine” (Acerro, 2012, p.143). This is evident throughout the book
such as when Elizabeth is trying to make her way to the school, “As she
approached the door, the soldiers, who were in the Arkansas National Guard,
crossed their riffles and blocked her path. On the orders of the Arkansas’
governor, Orval Faubus, they wouldn’t allow her to enter the building. Her legs
started shaking. The crowd continued to yell. Go home! Whites have rights too!”
(Tougas, 2012, p. 5).
The
double timeline provided at the end of the book provides the reader with
important dates in history during the desegregation of Central High School in
Little Rock. It includes the various pictures found throughout the book with snippets
of the events that took place. The timeline begins with the date of 1896 with
the U.S. Supreme Courts’ decision of separate but equal accommodations with Jim
Crow laws and ends with the fall of 1972 fifteen years after the Little Rock
Nine encountered the angry mob to try to integrate in the schools. Even though
the timeline tries to show the events chronologically, having the double
outline creates a sense of confusion.
Overall,
the book is “A testament to the power of the press and the bravery of all who
fought for equal rights, this book should be required reading” (Acerro, 2012,
p. 143). This book is recommended for students in grades 5-9. I think this book
would be a great resource to include in a school library’s nonfiction
collection. It is not filled with boring facts but instead it easy to read and sprinkled with well-placed quotes by the
author.
References
Acerro,
H. (2012). Little Rock Girl 1957: How a Photograph Changed the Fight for
Integration.
Booklist, 108(5), 58.
Tougas,
S. (2012). Little Rock Girl 1957: How a
Photograph Changed the Fight for Integration.
Mankato, MN: Compass Point Books.
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