tcbueti's review against another edition
3.0
This was an interesting, insider's view of the freedom riders and what it would be like to realize, growing up in the south, that your family was racist and you're racist-- without knowing it, without ever having thought about it. Billie realizes that her black maid/housekeeper/nanny has a daughter, has a family.
After Billy meets Lavender's daughter Jarmaine and is intrigued and excited about the idea of the freedom riders she decides she wants to take part and not just be a watcher. She realizes that just watching is part of the problem, not to stand up for something. That part, and her struggle to understand her family and her her parents role in this situation was very strong.
Unfortunately this book suffers from being another example of "white person steps in and saves the day" and the fact that Billie (not Jarmaine) rings the bell at the church (which really served no purpose) and the description of the girls running up and down tge stairs and ladder in the church, and seeing Dr. King and wanting to talk to Dr. King and wanting to go outside of the church when clearly there's a mob outside so it's a bad idea--just rang so Disney and false; really weakened the book, I thought.
After Billy meets Lavender's daughter Jarmaine and is intrigued and excited about the idea of the freedom riders she decides she wants to take part and not just be a watcher. She realizes that just watching is part of the problem, not to stand up for something. That part, and her struggle to understand her family and her her parents role in this situation was very strong.
Unfortunately this book suffers from being another example of "white person steps in and saves the day" and the fact that Billie (not Jarmaine) rings the bell at the church (which really served no purpose) and the description of the girls running up and down tge stairs and ladder in the church, and seeing Dr. King and wanting to talk to Dr. King and wanting to go outside of the church when clearly there's a mob outside so it's a bad idea--just rang so Disney and false; really weakened the book, I thought.
3dotsforme's review against another edition
4.0
Perfect for kids who no little to nothing about the Civil Rights movement in the US.
msschaake's review against another edition
4.0
Great for younger readers! I could see this in a sixth grade social studies class.
“It’s what I had been taught in a thousand little ways- separate entrances, separate drinking fountains, separate ways of talking to people and looking at them. It had been passed to me, and I had taken it. But today, seeing what happened in my town, I thought of Lavender’s question: would I pass it on?
I thought of what I had learned in history class and realized that Jermaine’s idea of American history must’ve been very different from mine.
Whenever I asked him what his religion was, he always said the same thing: justice.”
“It’s what I had been taught in a thousand little ways- separate entrances, separate drinking fountains, separate ways of talking to people and looking at them. It had been passed to me, and I had taken it. But today, seeing what happened in my town, I thought of Lavender’s question: would I pass it on?
I thought of what I had learned in history class and realized that Jermaine’s idea of American history must’ve been very different from mine.
Whenever I asked him what his religion was, he always said the same thing: justice.”
hezann73's review against another edition
4.0
No easy answers in this book about the Civil Rights movement. Lots to think on and you will wonder if you are doing enough to stand up for what is right.
jjandherbooks's review against another edition
5.0
IT WAS AMAZING!! SO DIFFERENT FROM OTHER BOOKS TOTALLY RECOMMEND.
gileslibrarian6's review against another edition
4.0
A story of two girls- one white and one black- following the Freedom Riders in the midst of the Civil Rights movement where questions arise of what is considered right and wrong in a world full of segregation.
hbc72's review against another edition
5.0
Night on Fire is the story of a young white girl living in Alabama at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Billie Simms does not realize that she is prejudiced, she does not realize that she believes in segregation, she does not realize she thinks white people are better. That is until she is confronted by the Freedom Riders movement and decides that she does not want to be that way any longer.
This is one of the most moving stories I have ever read, and it does its best to not sugar coat what is going on. While maintaining it's appropriateness for children, Night on Fire tells what it is like to be caught in the crosshairs of the Civil Rights Movement and the mobs and disaster that came with it.
This is one of the most moving stories I have ever read, and it does its best to not sugar coat what is going on. While maintaining it's appropriateness for children, Night on Fire tells what it is like to be caught in the crosshairs of the Civil Rights Movement and the mobs and disaster that came with it.
kobrien1014's review against another edition
1.0
I've thought a lot about this book, especially with current events, and I changed my mind. This book was steaming garbage,
What I do love about this book is the focus on the Freedom Riders. Again, I can think of many events/people my history lessons in school left out, and this is a big one. The author's note even mentioned how there aren't very many book written about it, which is a real shame because it's such an important story to tell. They were trying to integrate buses across state lines, which is no small feat! I'm glad he wrote this story for a middle grade audience because it's very accessible, and it's so important for kids to learn these stories. BIG FAT HOWEVER:
This is a white voice speaking for BIPOC and doing it quite frankly, poorly. Nope, get out. I would not tell a kid they couldn't read it, but I would encourage them to read something else.
What I do love about this book is the focus on the Freedom Riders. Again, I can think of many events/people my history lessons in school left out, and this is a big one. The author's note even mentioned how there aren't very many book written about it, which is a real shame because it's such an important story to tell. They were trying to integrate buses across state lines, which is no small feat! I'm glad he wrote this story for a middle grade audience because it's very accessible, and it's so important for kids to learn these stories. BIG FAT HOWEVER:
This is a white voice speaking for BIPOC and doing it quite frankly, poorly. Nope, get out. I would not tell a kid they couldn't read it, but I would encourage them to read something else.
amdame1's review against another edition
4.0
It is the spring of 1961 and 13-year-old Billie is about to find out first hand what the fuss about segregated buses really means. She lives in Anniston, Alabama and does not understand the boundaries that rule black people's lives in her town. However, when the Freedom Riders bus is set on fire and she witnesses it, she feels the need to do something about the hatred and injustice.
There does not seem to be as much material available about the Freedom Riders as there is for other events that occurred during the Civil Rights movement. Because of that lack, this is an important addition to a civil rights collection. It is well-written with character depth and development over the course of the novel. There is violence but at an appropriate level for a middle grade/middle school audience.
There does not seem to be as much material available about the Freedom Riders as there is for other events that occurred during the Civil Rights movement. Because of that lack, this is an important addition to a civil rights collection. It is well-written with character depth and development over the course of the novel. There is violence but at an appropriate level for a middle grade/middle school audience.
runningonwords's review against another edition
3.0
Another important story for middle aged readers, and done in a way that give enough background to give context, but also not make it sound like a history class.
Jarmaine is one kick-ass chick... I can only hope to raise my daughter as aware and vocal as she is in this novel. Definitely the high light for me.
Billie (the narrator) wasn't my favorite, and I know that's not her fault. The conflicts she goes through with prejudice, privilege, and segregation are authentic, but a lot of what I didn't like of her character because of her upbringing never changed. This, on top of her crush on her best friend just rubbed me the wrong way.
A very enjoyable read, definitely for younger middle school grader; I probably wouldn't recommend to my high schoolers. The
Jarmaine is one kick-ass chick... I can only hope to raise my daughter as aware and vocal as she is in this novel. Definitely the high light for me.
Billie (the narrator) wasn't my favorite, and I know that's not her fault. The conflicts she goes through with prejudice, privilege, and segregation are authentic, but a lot of what I didn't like of her character because of her upbringing never changed. This, on top of her crush on her best friend just rubbed me the wrong way.
A very enjoyable read, definitely for younger middle school grader; I probably wouldn't recommend to my high schoolers. The