Reading Metrics
Description
Thirteen-year-old Billie Simms lives in Anniston, Alabama, in 1961, a town deeply entrenched in segregation despite the changing times across the country. When she learns that the Freedom Riders, activists protesting segregation on interstate buses, will be traveling through her town, she sees an opportunity for change. The story follows Billie's journey as she grapples with her town's resistance to the Civil Rights Movement and her own feelings of being stuck in a community unwilling to evolve.
Quick Summary
Thirteen-year-old Billie Sims watches history arrive in her segregated Alabama town when the Freedom Riders roll through, and she must decide whether to stay quiet or join the fight for change. Kids will root for Billie's brave choice to stand alongside the Riders, experiencing the heart-pounding tension of that dangerous summer and discovering how one young person can spark real transformation. If your kid loves "The Watsons Go to Birmingham" or "Ghost," they'll devour this gripping piece of history. Perfect for readers ages 9 to 13 in grades 4 through 7.