Genre: Realistic fiction
Number of pages: 192
What’s the basic story line?
Kizzy Ann Stamps is an African-American girl who is about to attend a recently integrated public school. She is nervous and excited, and she expresses her feelings in letters to her new teacher. At first, the other students at school do not accept her, but gradually their feelings change, and they become more open-minded and friendly. She seeks comfort from her dog, Shag. With the help of a coach, she enters Shag in a dog competition, despite her worries about not being allowed to participate because of the color of her skin. Her neighbor Frank Charles’s interest in Shag leads him to get to know Kizzy Ann and breaks down the barriers between them.
Are the characters believable?
The characters are believable. The author describes them in such a realistic way that it’s almost like reading nonfiction. Most of the characters are kids, and it is easy to relate to their feelings about what happens to them.
On a scale of 1 to 10 (10 being best), how would you rate this book?
I would rate this book a 9. It is well written and interesting. Plus, it relates to the social-studies curriculum we’re covering in school regarding civil rights. The characters bring to life some of the challenges that African Americans faced during the 1960s in our history.