![]() ![]() ![]() I actually didn’t start out to write about the “lost year.” I was planning to write a book set during 1957-58 when the Little Rock Nine were integrating Central High School. ![]() After this discovery, Marlee must first decide whether she wishes to remain in contact with Liz-then the two courageous girls face violence and the disapproval of their families as they fight for their friendship.īookPage spoke with author Levine about her sensitive and compelling historical novel.ĭuring your research about the “lost year,” what surprised you the most? Turns out Liz is actually African American, and she was passing as white. Liz helps Marlee gain the confidence to give a speech in class, but on the day of the presentation, Marlee learns that Liz has withdrawn from school. In the story, the painfully shy 12-year-old Marlee becomes friends with Liz, an outgoing new girl at her middle school. Kristin Levine’s novel The Lions of Little Rock is about an unlikely friendship that develops during this tumultuous period of history. ![]() In 1958, the Arkansas governor closed the Little Rock public high schools in order to prevent integration, leaving students and teachers in limbo and the city divided. Many people are familiar with the 1957 Central High Crisis-when nine African-American students integrated the Little Rock public high school in the face of segregationist threats and protests-but less famous is the “lost year,” which happened the year after the Crisis. ![]()
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