Title: This Promise of Change
Description: "In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Rock 9 into Central High School, fourteen year old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee. At first things went smoothly for the Clinton 12, but then outside agitators interfered, pitting the townspeople against one another. Uneasiness turned into anger, and even the Clinton Twelve themselves wondered if the easier thing to do would be to go back to their old school. Jo Ann--clear-eyed, practical, tolerant, and popular among both black and white students--found herself called on as the spokesperson of the group. But what about just being a regular teen? This is the heartbreaking and relatable story of her four months thrust into the national spotlight and as a trailblazer in history. Based on original research and interviews and featuring backmatter with archival materials and notes from the authors on the co-writing process"--
Subjects: African americans, biography, African americans, biography, juvenile literature, Tennessee, juvenile literature, Juvenile literature, African American teenage girls, Biography, African American students, School integration, Race relations, award:Sibert_award, lexile:1000, lexile_range:1001-1100, age:min:10, age:max:12, grade:min:Preschool, grade:max:1, African American youth, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Biography & Autobiography / Social Activists, JUVENILE NONFICTION / History / United States / 20th Century, JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Topics / Prejudice & Racism