Warriors Don't Cry

Originally published in 1994, Warriors Don’t Cry by Melba Pattillo Beals primarily focuses on the 1957-58 school year at Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas, during which Beals was a member of the Little Rock Nine—the first group of Black students to attend the formerly all-white high school of 2,000 white students. Beals’s book, written for young-adult readers, speaks of her early life and her many adult accomplishments. Encouraged by school administrators and local Civil Rights leaders to downplay their experiences, the nine spoke little of the violence, threats, and humiliation they encountered every day. In her narrative, Melba recounts the dangers, the dramatic changes in her life, and the way she found the strength to persevere and complete the school year at Central. Beals wrote an update to her narrative in 2007, the 50th anniversary of her participation in the integration of Central High School. Summarized here is the Simon Pulse 2007 paperback.

Content Warning: Throughout the narrative, Melba frequently records the use of the n-word as it is spoken about or to Black citizens. This study guide obscures the use of this racial epithet. At numerous points in the narrative, there are reports of acts of violence toward Melba and other Black individuals.