Steck-Vaughn Stories of America: Student Reader Days of Courage, Story Book

This book allows the reader to see 1957 Little Rock Arkansas from the viewpoint of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine African American teens to integrate Centeral Highschool. Richard Kelso writes in a manner which allows young readers to grasp the political situation that America was in ,and the racial tension that was blatantly displayed at the time. Students who have read this book also find the personal viewpoint of teenage Eckford easy to relate to. The characters were very real and understandable.I have taught this book to both 4th and 6th grades with great success. It is a great discussion starter and tolerance teacher.

This serious book tackles the huge topic of discrimination in a very real and easy to understand manner. Students are able to grasp the frustration of ninth grade Elizabeth Eckford, one of the nine African American teens that struggled to integrate Little Rock High. I have successfully used this book to discuss civil rights and freedom with grades 4-6. A great book to teach in conjunction with The Sneeches by Dr. Suess, and Warriors Don't Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals (another of the Little Rock Nine).