lindageorge's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed reading this book. I liked the characters and thought that their interactions rang true. This book is set in the south in the 1960s and has a first-time ever black teacher in a predominately white school, and two feisty strong-willed girls who need to decide what friendship really means.
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
3.0
There are 2 story lines that happen simultaneously in this story. Both of them are good story lines, but neither seem to be developed deeply. Still a good story to read, but I wanted a bit more.
srl5041's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the stories in this novel, but they left me wishing for a little more depth and detail. I appreciated the author's note at the end.
jehansen127's review against another edition
2.0
Not really at all what I expected based on the description. I kept waiting for it to get more involved with the civil rights and integration side of the story but I felt like that took a backseat to her sister's accident. I think I would've enjoyed it more if it was just about her relationship with her sister and dealing with that guilt or just about Ruby and school. Not both. Also (for me) a little too religious. Well-meaning but not an effective story about school integration which is what it was advertised to be about.
aklibrarychick's review against another edition
4.0
This story takes place when school integration was just beginning. In addition to concerns about the racism and traditional segregation that keeps her and her friend Ruby Lee apart, Sarah Beth also is overcome with guilt over her sister Robin's accident. She feels responsible and doesn't want to admit her part in it. She's had to switch schools and for the first time, there will be a black teacher teaching white children. Everything is changing, and although much of it is good, it's a tumultuous time for Sarah Beth, Ruby Lee and their families. Sarah Beth learns that she can rise to the occasion and do the right thing.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
Nice book facing lots of issues, but it seems like there are just to many problems and they don't really resolve, it's meant to be more of a snapshot, but that loses some of the important issues.
matamgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Review to come closer to the release date which I did not realize was quite so far away.
sierra_h's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0