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Forcing Change
It is June 1963 and 15 year old Margaret Jefferson is being arrested at a sit-in at a lunch counter in St. Augustine. The Civil Rights Movement has found its way into her hometown, and Maggie feels a deep need to be a part of it. She believes in the ideals of the movement and the ultimate goal of equality. She also finds the non-violence that the protestors are committed to very comforting.
However, as the summer and fall of 1963 unfold in St. Augustine, their nonviolent protests are met with rising resistance, aggression, and intimidation from both local government officials as well as the Klu Klux Klan. Cattle prods used on protestors, fire bombs thrown into the homes of families trying to integrate the schools, teenagers held in jail indefinitely. No one is safe, it seems.
This story, told through Maggie’s innocent and hopeful eyes, will help a new generation of young people to understand the strength and sacrifices of those who worked so hard for Civil Rights in this country. It will also help to shine the spotlight on the role that St. Augustine and Florida, had in the movement.
However, as the summer and fall of 1963 unfold in St. Augustine, their nonviolent protests are met with rising resistance, aggression, and intimidation from both local government officials as well as the Klu Klux Klan. Cattle prods used on protestors, fire bombs thrown into the homes of families trying to integrate the schools, teenagers held in jail indefinitely. No one is safe, it seems.
This story, told through Maggie’s innocent and hopeful eyes, will help a new generation of young people to understand the strength and sacrifices of those who worked so hard for Civil Rights in this country. It will also help to shine the spotlight on the role that St. Augustine and Florida, had in the movement.
99 pages, Paperback
Published December 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
3 people want to read
About the author
Judy Lindquist
9 books4 followersI am a teacher who writes and a writer who teaches! My vocation is to get kids excited about reading, writing, and history.
Although I grew up in the northeast, Florida has been my home for more than 30 years. It did not take long once we moved here, to fall in love with my new home-state! The history, the architecture, the flora, the fauna, and the interesting people. What's not to love!
A book worm and a history buff, these two passion came together in my first two historical fiction novels. Both were published by the Florida Historical Society, and are on the recommended reading list for several Florida counties.
My first book was published just prior to my 50th birthday (clearly I am a late-bloomer) and I have had four books traditionally published to date.
I have been an elementary classroom teacher for 31 years were I teach Gifted students k-5. I have also been an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida for more than 21 years where I teach Children's Literature, Writing Classes, and Social Studies to future teachers.
I am a frequent presenter at education and writing conferences and love connecting with teachers, writers, readers, parents, and kids.
I have been married to my high school sweetheart for more than 46 years. We have a grown daughter and two amazing granddaughters.
When not teaching or writing, I love to cook, garden, travel with my husband, spend time with my granddaughters, and cheer on the UCF Knights!
Although I grew up in the northeast, Florida has been my home for more than 30 years. It did not take long once we moved here, to fall in love with my new home-state! The history, the architecture, the flora, the fauna, and the interesting people. What's not to love!
A book worm and a history buff, these two passion came together in my first two historical fiction novels. Both were published by the Florida Historical Society, and are on the recommended reading list for several Florida counties.
My first book was published just prior to my 50th birthday (clearly I am a late-bloomer) and I have had four books traditionally published to date.
I have been an elementary classroom teacher for 31 years were I teach Gifted students k-5. I have also been an adjunct professor at the University of Central Florida for more than 21 years where I teach Children's Literature, Writing Classes, and Social Studies to future teachers.
I am a frequent presenter at education and writing conferences and love connecting with teachers, writers, readers, parents, and kids.
I have been married to my high school sweetheart for more than 46 years. We have a grown daughter and two amazing granddaughters.
When not teaching or writing, I love to cook, garden, travel with my husband, spend time with my granddaughters, and cheer on the UCF Knights!
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September 2, 2025
Read with my girls for our Florida history study. It was interesting to read about all the civil rights events that happened in St. Augustine! My girls were surprised about a number of things.
Displaying 1 of 1 review