In 1957 nine Little Rock students changed the nation. The following resources allow you to see through their eyes and learn about their story. Some of them are aimed at younger readers who may be doing reports or just want to learn more.
1. "Warriors Don't Cry"
Grades 4-6. Written by Melba Patillo Beals (one of the Little Rock nine), this biography uses personal journals from 1957 as a source. The result is a very personal recollection of desegregation.2. "The Ernest Green Story"
This video depicts the struggle of the nine to integrate Central High from one of the Little Rock nine's point of view. It's a little dramatic for my tastes but it does contain some good information.
3. "A Life Is More Than a Moment : The Desegregation of Little Rock's Central High"
Will Counts was a newpaper photographer in 1957 and took some of the most remembered photos of Little Rock Central. This book has text with some statistics and information, but I find the photos more interesting.4. "Crisis At Central High"
This film was based on the journal teacher Elizabeth Huckaby kept during the integration at Little Rock Central. The thing that sets this one apart from the other personal accounts is that it written from the point of view of a white teacher. Elizabeth Huckaby also turned her journals into a book by the same name (it's also worth checking out).5. "The Civil Rights Movement in America"
Grades 9-12. This book doesn't deal exclusively with Central High. It is excellent to give students some information on what happened before and after the desegregation of schools. It has very in depth information about many activists, organizations and events.6. "Cracking The Wall: The Story of the Little Rock Nine"
Grade 3-5. This book is not written by anyone directly involved with the "Crisis" so it gives an unbiased look at the events. The text is designed to be easy for young children to understand.7. "Separate But Not Equal: The Dream and the Struggle"
Grades 7-10. This book traces the history of desegregation starting at Little Rock central and working back to the roots of the problems. He discusses court cases and people who made it possible for blacks to get equal education.8. "Voices of Freedom"
This is a companion to a television series that explored the oral history of civil rights in America. It draws on interviews with activists, politicians, reporters, Justice Department officials, and hundreds of ordinary people who took part in the struggle.9. "Days of Courage"
Grades 4-6. This is written from the viewpoint of Elizabeth Eckford, one of the Little Rock nine.10. "The Day Martin Luther King Jr. Was Shot"
Grades 3-6. The text, which is easy to read and understand, and photos depict the civil rights movement from earliest days of the slave trade to The Day Martin Luther King, Jr., Was Shot. The photos are great for any age.