Fire From the Rock

by Sharon M. Draper
Genre: Historical Fiction

Sylvia Patterson looks forward to high school for all the normal reasons – being treated more like an adult, learning more about the world, joining clubs, and enjoying football games and dances. But in her year, 1957, and her town, Little Rock, things are anything but normal. To comply with federal law, the school board has decided to integrate Central High School, whether the governor of Arkansas or the citizens of Little Rock like it or not.

Sylvia is shocked when her teacher asks her to consider being one of the first black students to attend Central. It is an honor reserved for very few but also a burden. Before Sylvia makes her final decision, smoldering racial tension in the town ignites into flame. When the smoke clears, she sees clearly that nothing is going to stop the change from coming. It is up to her generation to make it happen. ~from the book jacket