Common Sense Media Review
By Barbara Schultz
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Poignant story of a shy girl who speaks for social justice.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 11 kid reviews
Kids say this book is an engaging and easy read that explores themes of friendship and racism, set against the backdrop of 1950s Arkansas. While many enjoyed its heartfelt message and accessibility for younger readers, some found it predictable and felt it lacked the depth of a true historical narrative.
- engaging story
- themes of friendship
- accessible for kids
- predictable plot
- lacks historical depth
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Marlee Nisbett is a painfully shy middle-schooler who can really use a friend. She is comfortable speaking only to her own family members, who love her as she is but encourage her to try to \"say at least five words today.\" As the book begins, Marlee, a white girl, starts middle school right after Labor Day, when schools are normally scheduled to reopen, but her sister, Judy, is stuck at home; their local high school has been closed by state and local governments opposed to the integration of white schools. While the debate about reopening the high schools rages between adults and kids, Marlee finally makes a wonderful friend, Liz, who helps her find her voice. But then, when Liz seems to disappear one day, Marlee takes a hard look at the racial conflict in her community, and her newfound bravery inspires adults to face bigotry head-on.
Is It Any Good?
THE LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK is a poignant and age-appropriate book about race relations in the American South around 1958, when Arkansas schools were first integrated. The novel, written from the perspective of a 12-year-old girl who is painfully shy, maintains an intelligent but innocent point of view toward the racial prejudice that afflicted communities at that time. Readers will not only learn a lot about some significant events in the early civil rights movement, they also will really identify with Marlee and Liz's fight to remain friends and change grownups' attitudes. Marlee navigates social issues large and small with courage, and her story is meaningful and memorable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Marlee's relationship with Liz. Is Marlee right to disobey her parents?
Marlee is particularly close to her father, but she doesn't always get along with her mom. How do Marlee and her mother learn from each other as the novel progresses?
How does Marlee get the courage to speak?
Do you think Marlee and Liz will remain friends?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : School
- Topics : Activism , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : G.P. Putnam's Sons
- Publication date : January 5, 2012
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 13
- Number of pages : 304
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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