The Lions Of Little Rock

At the beginning of the story, Marlee is a twelve-year-old seventh grader living in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1958. Though pretty, she is painfully shy and can barely speak five words a day to anyone. Marlee is a math prodigy but never raises her hand in class and only has one friend who doesn’t share any of her interests.

Marlee’s life is transformed when she meets Liz, and they become fast friends. Liz draws Marlee out of her shell, and Marlee develops the courage to face her fears. By the end of the story, she speaks out against racism in her community and helps create positive change in Little Rock.

Liz is a charismatic twelve-year-old who has just enrolled in Marlee’s school. Because her skin is light and her hair is straight, Liz can pass for white although she is of color. When her secret is discovered, she leaves for a new school but isn’t accepted by black students either because she tried to pass. Despite the dangers in an interracial friendship, Liz continues to meet Marlee in secret.

Although the two friends are forbidden to see one another by the end of the novel, they have changed one another’s lives for the better and will continue to communicate via phone.