A Searing Memoir of the Battle to Integrate Little Rock's Central High

Had to get this book for an ethnic studies class.... figured I'd learn something new, but didn't. While Beals' journal entries are the highlight of the book, she does little to shed new light on the civil rights experiences of her lifetime. While not a bad book by any means, it is also not a great book as it was really hard to finish this book. Had I bought it as a casual read, I might not have made it the whole way, but since it was required, it wasn't half bad, I have had to read a lot worse than this. if you are big into civil rights history this book will be for you, if you're a casual reader it may not hold your attention throughout. A decent book nonetheless, worthy of 3 stars.

Everyone needs to read this book to understand what the Little Rock Nine went through and how American has changed. Eye opening. These nine high school students had to indure violence and name calling just to get to school.

I think this should be on the list of recommended reading for high school students. It certainly brought the struggle for equality in education so much closer to me. Amazing that within my lifetime Black kids were treated so badly in a place that should have been safe - their schools. I'm ashamed for my generation.

excellent condition, on time, we'd order from them again

Melba was one of the young Black students who had to live through the taunts of social change. she's a heroine, who is not talked about enough.

This book is excellent. It taught me so much about the story behind integration. I had no idea that these nine brave students had to endure so much and that they, especially the writer, had so much determination, faith, and vision. This country is indebted to their spirit. Thanks Melba for telling your inspiring story. I loved it.

Carole Thayne

Without getting into a long and winding "poor me," the writer explains what she went through during a difficult period in our history, when some of our people were raised in a way today's Americans would not think enlightened or proper. Their actions and behavior we would now (and many did then but were too scared or unable to act on) consider abominable, and the author experienced it. We need to know how our forbears both behaved and responded. Read this and know.

This book sets a clear view of the problems people like her faced during those hard times. She tells her tale in such a influential way it literally brought me to tears. This book is amazing and worth every single word.

This is an excellent memoir written with detailed descriptions of the author's views and feelings during a not so pretty time in American history. She has vividly described a year of challenge and a sort of triumph while including issues of friendship, racism, love, loyalty, determination, ignorance, fear, and courage. I've recommended this book to be a must read for all middle school students in my school (Chicago)!

Should be required reading in all school classrooms from Freshman year up. May be too intense for younger students, but all young adults should read it. Hopefully, it will give them a greater understanding and empathy for others, and teach them to be more kind to their fellow students.

This book should be mandatory reading for all students (and non students). These 'warriors' were amazing. I have bought several copies to give to young adult friends. The story really puts present day stresses into perspective. We have so much to be grateful for...especially people like Melba Pattillo Beals!

I thought this was a fantastic read. Granted, Beal is not a master writer like Shakespeare or Hemingway, which is why I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone. You don't need some pompous level of reading ability to read this story that had to be told and should be read by as many people as possible. Though her story is unique, her struggle is far more common than we'd like to think and it serves as a great reminder of what has been accomplished and how much more must be made for things to get better for everyone.

Thoroughly enjoyed this book and now have 3 other family members reading it. This book has become quite a topic of discussion in our family and we are learning many new things about each other, especially those of us who lived through and experienced the Civil Rights Movement. It began as a summer reading assignment for my 13 year old grandson and it has prompted the sharing of many personal experiences of segregation (of all types) and biases.

It is quite disappointing to me that the store says it NOWHERE on the product page, nor does it say so on the cover of the book, but this is an abridged version. The only mention of its abridgement occurs on the title page. Nearly a hundred pages have been cut out of this version. I purchased this book for a class and missed a lot of the references that were given in discussion.

It's a good read, but go for the full version.

This book was so informative of times that many of us don't even remember written in a way that evokes strong emotion from the reader. It leaves you challenged to have the courage to stand up for what you believe and the conviction to treat others as you would want to be treated. We are all equally born to be free!

I read this book for summer reading. Although it was a bit slow at times, it was full of information and quite enjoyable. It really is an eye-opener and demonstrates how far America has come. It is easily one of the best (if not, the best) nonfiction book I've read. Not to mention I love Mrs. Beals' writing style. (:

Great primary source for what life was like for the 9 African American students allowed to enter Central High School in Little Rock, AR (student population approx.1000) as part of the federally-mandated desegregation laws. PG13 - R but historically significant.

An amazing memoir that doesn't receive the attention it deserves. Beals's writing is so vivid and she has mastered the metaphor. The book is surprising easy to read. Once you start, you can't put it down.

A great book to teach in schools.