Great plot, wonderful message. I love the characters and I enjoyed reading about how differently they dealt with the challenges of racial prejudice in the late 1950's. What I did not like was that sometimes the author did too much "telling" and not enough "showing." ( )

This was a great work of historical fiction that tells about the struggles African American students faced during the first high school integration efforts in Little Rock. I think Sharon Draper is a great writer, and my students love her books, too. ( )

This was a great story of the integration of public schools in 1957 in Little Rock. The story gave a face to the struggle the nine students faced that first day. This was a seemingly accurate account of that day and all that led up to it. The strengths of the book included historical accuracy and a character that today's students could relate to in a very readable format. ( )

Uriel Baray
11/18/09
Academic Issues
Book: “Fire from the rock”

History in the making was brought to the United States, over a hundred years ago as segregation laws were disposed of. Everyone had an equal say in everything, whether they wanted too or didn’t want too. Many white people (not to be racist) weren’t so happy with the idea of sharing everything and being equals with the African Americans or to even integrate with them. The book that I read was called “Fire from the rock” by Sharon M. Draper. This book has meaning to it and teaches a valuable lesson to its readers.

“Fire from the rock” is about a problem that had occurred in the United States over a hundred years ago. Even though the story takes place in the 1950’s the segregation law had been abolished over a hundred years ago, yet it acted as if it still existed. The main character in the story is a young African American girl name Sylvia Patterson, who by the way has a bright future with her high school education and life.

“Fire from the rock” really speaks out when it comes to being heard. Sylvia is faced with a hard decision about being integrated into Central high school. She is faced with feelings of deception as she wonders if she would fit in at Central high school. Not only that but also the feeling of fear, but mostly curiosity of being one of the first to be chosen out of her school to participate of being the first African American to integrate with white kids at Central high school. “ Fire from the rock” really puts a picture in your head about times of segregation and about the times of integration of high schools during the 1950’s.

Do you want a good read on your spare time; well look no further because you have found it. I recommend this book not only because I said so but because this book really makes you wonder. Sharon M. Draper illustrates a point when she wrote “Fire from the rock”. The theme of this book is Racism in America. I would recommend this book to anyone, especially if you want to know what life was like with segregation around. ( )

It has been almost fifty years since the integration of Central High School in Little Rock. Racism and violence marked this very important event in our nation’s history. It took steadfast courage and personal sacrifice to be one of “The Little Rock Nine”. Draper writes an excellent accounting of the thought process and emotional struggle Sylvia, her family, and even her friends go through as the time approaches for Sylvia to announce her final decision—a decision that will change her for the rest of her life. The black students selected to integrate Central High School were honor students. They were prohibited from joining clubs, participating in sports, and attending social events. Fire from the Rock is dedicated to “the nine” students whose bravery helped to change the world during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1950’s. The nine students that bravely attended Central High School endured all kinds of abuse and harassment. In Draper’s notes at the conclusion of the book, she reports on the outcome of the integration of Central High School—racial tensions, angry demonstrations, prayer services for peace, and the military presence of National Guard troops and the Army’s 101st Airborne Division. When asked what inspired her to write a historical fiction novel about the Little Rock Nine and school integration, Draper states “Students today take so much for granted. They need to know about those who came before them and the sacrifices that were made. We cannot embrace our future without giving honor to our past. We must teach the children so they will always know and never forget” (http://sharondraper.com/). ( )