Oh my goodness. This book was enthralling. If you have ever wondered what the perspective of an African American being integrated in the public school after Brown vs. the Board of Education case passed, this is a book for you.
We are introduced to Dawnie, who lives on the colored side of town but wishes to attend school in Ivoryton or the white side of town. The school there is compared to a castle where the students have all the things they need to succeed whereas Dawnie is attending school on her side of town with broken toilets, rusty sinks, leaks in the ceiling, chewed up pencils, and pages missing out of textbooks. Dawnie is selected to be the first African American in Hadley to attend public school in Ivoryton to begin the integration process. The story shows the hardships, challenges, and triumphs Dawnie and her family have to face as they make this crucial decision.
I loved reading this story and understanding the different perspectives that existed at that time in history. It is amazing to see how we as a country have moved past the Civil Rights movements and accepted people of different races, color, ethnicity, and religions. I love what was said in the book about the Declaration of Independence. Our forefathers wanted everyone who lives in this beautiful countries to have the same rights and be equal. We weren't upholding our end of the bargain during the Civil Rights movements and in a sense, we were slapping our forefathers in their faces.
I'm so grateful for stories like these that keep history alive today and help us learn from our mistakes as a country. I know we still have haters today who want to live segregated lives from those of different races. We have been taught better and to accept others for who they are even if we don't agree with them. I'm thankful for Dawnie and her courage to start the integration process in Hadley. It helps me realize as an educator how some of my students might feel coming from a new school, being a different race, or from acting different from their peers due to an issue they might have.
If you haven't bought this book for your children, grandchildren, classroom, or want a good read for yourself. This is a book to buy. I know that you will learn new things and will be carried with the might of angels.
Enjoy,
Margaret Blake
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