"Warriors Don't Cry" by Melba Pattillo Beals was a wonderful book. Knowing that it was a biography (and after reading "Hope in the Unseen") I was a little skeptical about whether or not I would enjoy this book. I was pleasantly surprised that this book was not only a fast read but it also gave a lot of insight into the lives of the people who made integration possible.
This book is about one girls journey of integrating an all-white school in order to stop the spread of segregation. Throughout her time at Central High School she is teased verbally and physically by both students and teachers alike. The only way that she is able to keep her sanity is through the power of prayer, her family, and the small acts of kindness she receives from those who are willing to accept her.
My favorite part in the book was in the epilogue, and the very last sentence of the book when Melba is overwhelmed about being back to Central (30 years later) and a black, well dressed, young man comes out of the school introducing himself as the president of the student body. After all the hardships that she went through she was finally able to see with her own eyes what a difference and how worthwhile her cause was. How cool is that!
I would definitely teach this in a classroom, probably for 9th-11th grade. This book allows students to understand a time where segregation wasn't only allowed but promoted. I think that this would be a good book to pair with another class like history or something when they are covering the Civil Rights period. That way students will be able to better understand all of the political things going on in places all over the US during the time that Melba was integrating Central High School.
Wonderful book!
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