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the empty schoolhouse
When it was announced that the parochial schools in Louisiana were to be desegregated, ten-year old Lullah Royall was happier than she's ever been. Now she could attend St. Joseph's in French Grove, where her best friend, red-haired, blue-eyed Oralee Fleury, was already a student. But Lullah's happiness was short lived. Her old sister Emma sensed trouble the minute the two ominous strangers appeared..and trouble was not long in coming. One by one all the students, Negro and white alike, deserted St. Joseph's, frightened away by the threat of violence. Lullah's subsequent decision and its far-reaching results make unforgettable reading.
119 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1965
2 people are currently reading
55 people want to read
About the author
Natalie Savage Carlson
56 books53 followersNatalie Savage Carlson was born on October 3, 1906, in Kernstown, Virginia. After she married, she moved around a great deal as the wife of a Navy officer, living for many years in Paris, France.
Her first story was published in the Baltimore Sunday Sun when she was eight years old.
Her first book, The Talking Cat and Other Stories of French Canada (where her mother was born), was published in 1952. One of her best-loved books is The Family Under the Bridge (1958), which was a Newbery Honor book in 1959. Many readers will remember her series of Happy Orpheline books about a group of French orphans and their carefree lives.
In 1966, Ms. Carlson was the U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen International Children's Book Award.
Materials for fifteen of her novels are held at the Children's Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ms. Carlson lived in Rhode Island, Oklahoma, California, the Pacific Northwest, Florida, and abroad. She died September 23, 1997, in Rhode Island.
Her first story was published in the Baltimore Sunday Sun when she was eight years old.
Her first book, The Talking Cat and Other Stories of French Canada (where her mother was born), was published in 1952. One of her best-loved books is The Family Under the Bridge (1958), which was a Newbery Honor book in 1959. Many readers will remember her series of Happy Orpheline books about a group of French orphans and their carefree lives.
In 1966, Ms. Carlson was the U.S. nominee for the Hans Christian Andersen International Children's Book Award.
Materials for fifteen of her novels are held at the Children's Literature Research Collection at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Ms. Carlson lived in Rhode Island, Oklahoma, California, the Pacific Northwest, Florida, and abroad. She died September 23, 1997, in Rhode Island.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
April 10, 2009
This story exceeded my expectations for it, as did the other Natalie Savage Carlson book that I have read.
Interestingly, what seemed the strength of this narrative to me was not the well-done story of racial prejudice that affected the innocent kids of this town, dragging them into a fight that they never wanted. Rather, what was most compelling of all to me was the sadness surrounding Lullah's crumbling friendship with her best friend Oralee, a bond between a white girl and a black girl that had always been very strong before the adults began to make trouble over race. Lullah's heart was breaking, now, and her older sister was hurting for her, though there was nothing that she could do. The author brings forth this pain with vivid clarity, allowing the reader to experience it, too. This is an excellent book that I hope will never fade into obscurity.
Interestingly, what seemed the strength of this narrative to me was not the well-done story of racial prejudice that affected the innocent kids of this town, dragging them into a fight that they never wanted. Rather, what was most compelling of all to me was the sadness surrounding Lullah's crumbling friendship with her best friend Oralee, a bond between a white girl and a black girl that had always been very strong before the adults began to make trouble over race. Lullah's heart was breaking, now, and her older sister was hurting for her, though there was nothing that she could do. The author brings forth this pain with vivid clarity, allowing the reader to experience it, too. This is an excellent book that I hope will never fade into obscurity.
June 10, 2020
If it hadn't been for the author, I wouldn't have picked up this book. I don't like to read books about discrimination any more than I like to read about the Holocaust. Self-righteousness and cruelty aren't my idea of an enjoyable story. But Carlson has done a credible job of introducing kids to several levels of prejudice -- a divided community (should black students be able to attend a white school?), children's friendships (can a white girl stand up for her black friend?), and even between sisters (the 'dark' sister admires her coffee-and-cream sister).
The acts of cruelty are painful, but not too much so. Kids will feel the hurt without being distraught.
Set in a rural village in Louisiana, near sugar cane fields.
p5: Mama days don't you ever go in a store unless you got money in your pocket. It's just asking for temptation.
The acts of cruelty are painful, but not too much so. Kids will feel the hurt without being distraught.
Set in a rural village in Louisiana, near sugar cane fields.
p5: Mama days don't you ever go in a store unless you got money in your pocket. It's just asking for temptation.
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February 10, 2016Periodically I find myself trying to remember the name of this book, which I found in my elementary school's library and read several times. I can still see one of the illustrations...and remember my dismay when the friendship between the two picnicking friends, one black, one white, fell apart.
This is the title I thought of first when I heard of Marley's awesome project #1000BlackGirlBooks
This is the title I thought of first when I heard of Marley's awesome project #1000BlackGirlBooks
March 31, 2020
I had this book on my bookcase since I was a child but I don't think I ever read it, until now. Better late than never. This book, written in 1965, is an interesting look back to the desegregation of a Louisiana school. The story is about an African American girl, Lullah, and her siblings during a monumental time in American history. The narrator of the story is Lullah's older sister Emma, which I thought was an interesting first person narrator, since the story really is about Lullah and how racial tension affects her friendship with her white friend, Oralee.
I did enjoy this book and it gave a lot of points for contemplation. A point of interest is how Lullah notices that before the desegregation of the Catholic school, white folks were friendly towards African American families, but with desegregation came racial tension. There's lots to think about and discuss here, in this look back into our past. I'm hoping things have changed for the better in the last 55 years. This book ends on a positive note.
I did enjoy this book and it gave a lot of points for contemplation. A point of interest is how Lullah notices that before the desegregation of the Catholic school, white folks were friendly towards African American families, but with desegregation came racial tension. There's lots to think about and discuss here, in this look back into our past. I'm hoping things have changed for the better in the last 55 years. This book ends on a positive note.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2024
Yet another book about an African American family written by a white woman of a certain age. Carlson had no problem with writing books about cultures she knew only superficially, as witness her "Orpheline" stories and the famous The Family Under the Bridge; anyone who has lived in Europe (not come for a week or two or three as a tourist) knows that she used the obvious things anyone can see, but didn't get to know the people. Her "French" characters are Americans playing dress up.
This particular book is rather better than Carlson's home made "France", but I wonder what African Americans think of it, if indeed they know it exists. It's meant to be social realism, so I shelved it as such, but I wonder how real it is. For the 1960s white readers she was writing for, the takeaway was probably more about peer pressure, fitting in, and standing up for yourself.
This particular book is rather better than Carlson's home made "France", but I wonder what African Americans think of it, if indeed they know it exists. It's meant to be social realism, so I shelved it as such, but I wonder how real it is. For the 1960s white readers she was writing for, the takeaway was probably more about peer pressure, fitting in, and standing up for yourself.
August 9, 2019
Read-Aloud to Wren, Willow
This short and deep novel passed the first test of a story-time worthy read: it captured the imagination and compelled the empathy of both my girls. They pretended and drew and spoke of and asked about this story for weeks after reading.
No preaching required; this book allows the reader to see through Emma's eyes. We see her fierce and complex love for her sister, her compassion in the face of ugly treatment, and her humble service of her family's interests. A gentle and thoughtful introduction to the history of segregation and racism, this book asks (without asking), "How would you feel? What would you say? What is a good friend? Should she forgive? How can she make things right?"
A bonus was the setting (a world I always find alluring): Louisiana's bayou country, ca. 1960.
This short and deep novel passed the first test of a story-time worthy read: it captured the imagination and compelled the empathy of both my girls. They pretended and drew and spoke of and asked about this story for weeks after reading.
No preaching required; this book allows the reader to see through Emma's eyes. We see her fierce and complex love for her sister, her compassion in the face of ugly treatment, and her humble service of her family's interests. A gentle and thoughtful introduction to the history of segregation and racism, this book asks (without asking), "How would you feel? What would you say? What is a good friend? Should she forgive? How can she make things right?"
A bonus was the setting (a world I always find alluring): Louisiana's bayou country, ca. 1960.
December 3, 2016
Highly recommended, with two caveats. Lighter skin and wavy hair is explicitly preferred, at least by the narrator, the darker sister, who feels much less pretty than Lullah. But then, we can talk about how Emma didn't think very highly of herself in any case, and considered Lullah prettier just because she also considered her smarter, braver, etc.
And the bad guy does use the N word. Which may be why this is less known than it should be.
Interestingly, when it was first written, it was (according to my Yearling edition), a "novel of today." Now it reads very well as vibrant historical fiction.
And the bad guy does use the N word. Which may be why this is less known than it should be.
Interestingly, when it was first written, it was (according to my Yearling edition), a "novel of today." Now it reads very well as vibrant historical fiction.
April 12, 2018
Lullah, a little black girl, is very happy that she is able to join her white friend in a newly integrated school in Louisiana. However, danger arises when two men find their way into the school that are followed with threats and violence. Lullah finds herself alone in the schoolhouse after a little while.
I did not think that I was going to like this book if I am being honest, but I actually really liked it. I do not do well reading about racism even though I know that it is a real problem that needs to be addressed in schools today. I think that both genders and all ages (reading level in mind) could take something away from this book. Good, but at times, a hard read.
I did not think that I was going to like this book if I am being honest, but I actually really liked it. I do not do well reading about racism even though I know that it is a real problem that needs to be addressed in schools today. I think that both genders and all ages (reading level in mind) could take something away from this book. Good, but at times, a hard read.
September 17, 2024
Read this for an English class very informative
August 31, 2020
What can I say?
Racial discrimination is a nasty thing, but Carlson’s writing is so beautiful.
I certainly wouldn’t rate it a kid’s book, just because of a some cursing, plus this is a hard book for kids in general, the writing isn’t from the 2000s.
A pretty decent book, in truth 3.5, I’d recommend for people who can enjoy a slower, sad book.
Racial discrimination is a nasty thing, but Carlson’s writing is so beautiful.
I certainly wouldn’t rate it a kid’s book, just because of a some cursing, plus this is a hard book for kids in general, the writing isn’t from the 2000s.
A pretty decent book, in truth 3.5, I’d recommend for people who can enjoy a slower, sad book.
July 10, 2009
This book is about segregation and how it can get started. In this book a town was kind to blacks and didn't care if they were different but some people came and started to cause trouble. This book is great.
July 24, 2016
Well, of course I don't love every bit of how the black families and people are portrayed, but especially considering when the book was written, it was pretty darn good.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews