Long before she was one of the Little Rock Nine, Melba Pattillo Beals was a warrior. Frustrated by the laws that kept African-Americans separate but very much unequal to whites, she had questions: Why couldn’t she drink from a whites only fountain? Why couldn’t she feel safe beyond home—or even within the walls of church? Adults all told her: Hold your tongue. Be patient. Know your place. But Beals had the heart of a fighter—and the knowledge that her true place was a free one.
This memoir paints a vivid picture of Beals’ powerful early journey on the road to becoming a champion for equal rights, an acclaimed journalist, a bestselling author, and the recipient of this country’s highest recognition, the Congressional Gold Medal.
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“Beals’ memoir…relays her emotions—from pain, fear, and confusion to lost innocence, indignation, and justified anger—in a way that young listeners will easily access and understand. Edwards reflects this in her narration and deftly uses her voice to express that range of emotions. Her conversational tone strikes a perfect balance between conveying the subject’s seriousness and making listeners feel they are hearing a young girl tell her story.”
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Booklist (starred review)