THE LIONS OF LITTLE ROCK

Kristin Levine paints Little Rock, Arkansas, through the eyes of 11-year-old Marlee Nisbitt, a white student who is in middle school the year after the renowned integration of Central High School. As the new school year unfolds, Marlee grapples with holding on to a new friend; missing her sister, who has been sent away for her high school education; and trying to understand the strong feelings of her parents and the citizens of Little Rock concerning integration. Julia Whelan gives an even-voiced and nonjudgmental narration. As Marlee, her voice is questioning, confident, and, at times, full of the foolhardiness of youth; as Marlee’s new friend, Liz, she sounds subtly yet consistently determined. Whelan also provides steely voices for the bullying Dalton brothers and a tight voice for Marlee’s anxious father. An interview with the author expands on the time period and her reasons for choosing the year after the integration of Central High for her novel. A.R. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine [Published: MARCH 2012]