This book is set in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1958 which is the year after the Little Rock Nine started attending the newly integrated schools there. In 1958 the high schools tried to get around integration by closing the schools. Enter Marlee, a very shy girl who has trouble making friends. She attends junior high. She is so excited when Liz, a new girl, befriends her and Marlee is developing confidence. But then it is discovered that Liz is only "passing" as white. Can Liz and Marlee remain friends? Can they take on the integration issue?
This book really hit the issue straight on from the perspective of children caught in the middle. I love the tagline on the cover "friendship is more than skin deep". Marlee really develops as a character who learns about friendship, faces danger, and overcomes her own fears.
Ribbet....
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