A Friendship for Today by Patricia C. McKissack

In 1954 when a gallon of petrol cost 22 cents and a new car $1700, the Supreme Court in the USA made it illegal to have segregated schools in America. Most of the Southern States didn't get this message until the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's and even in the States that accepted the ruling there was social and legal opposition. This is one of those stories.

Rosemary Patterson is among the first black students in her town to enroll in what had once been an all-white school. It is not easy for her but she hangs in there and all the arguments are reeled out in a satisfactory way so that the book has drama and interest.

Friendship and racism are at the core of this novel and when one thinks that Obama is now President some 54 years later, it is quite miraculous.

Suitable for year 5/6 students up to intermediate level.

Reviewed by Bob


Published by Scholastic