The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High

by Elizabeth Eckford, Eurydice Stanley, Grace Stanley

The Worst First Day: Bullied While Desegregating Central High introduces the next generation to Elizabeth Eckford, a 15-year-old who faced an incensed mob of segregationists and soldiers alone in 1957 while attempting to desegregate Central High in Little Rock, Arkansas. In her first autobiography, Eckford shares the back-story of a civil rights crisis recognized internationally in 1957 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Her story is a critical part of American History that has taken 60 years to be told. In this epic story, Eckford's historical insights are shared completely in verse, illuminated by captivating graphic images, Pulitzer Prize nominated photography, as well as presidential and military correspondence that will educate, and inspire readers of all ages. The determination of the Little Rock Nine helped implement the Supreme Court Brown v. Board of Education decision of 1954, leading to the diversity in today's schools. This book provides critical lessons that leaders will want to learn. Eckford's ability to survive her experiences with dignity despite indescribable fear will inspire readers of all ages. The authors present her experiences to encourage children experiencing bullying in school or readers facing seemingly insurmountable odds. Eckford candidly shares the unlikely friendship that saved her life, encouraging those who witness wrongdoing to be an advocate instead of apathetic. This book encourages tomorrow’s leaders to follow her precedent and with their heads held high, #WalkPastHate.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

152 pages, Paperback

Published April 1, 2018

Reviews

[Joey]

"No one could imagine how important my new school was to me. I never suspected I would soon endure an attack that would change my life in countless ways."

Immortalized in Will Counts's iconic photo, Elizabeth Eckford is probably the most famous member of the Little Rock Nine. But for years, she spurned the spotlight. This autobiography, published in 2018 for a young audience, is Eckford's most detailed account of her experience integrating Little Rock Central High School on September 4, 1957. With grace and generosity, Eckford reveals the long-lasting trauma that permeated her stoic expression that impactful first day of school. This is an invaluable record, and I greatly appreciate her perspective on the world then and now—and how the two eras are connected.

[Jayne Downes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that everyone should read. Elizabeth Eckford remembers the year she spent at Central High being one of the "Little Rock Nine", the first black students allowed to attend the so called "desegregated" school. The treatment they received was appalling; Eckford has written this book to give people strength to stand up to any bullies not just racists in an anti-violent way. It is very easy to read with plenty of photos.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an autobiographical memoir written by one of the nine black high school students who bravely attempted to integrate this school to implement the Supreme Court decision of 1954, Brown vs. the Board of Education.
Three years later in September of 1957, Elizabeth was chosen to be one of the students to attend this prestigious school. Governor Fabius of Arkansas refused to implement the court decision. When Elizabeth attempted to enter on the first day of the school term, she was spat at, bullied and threatened by the students and adults who gathered outside. Three weeks later, President Eisenhower called on the 101st Airborne Division to protect the students. After they left, the National Guard proved ineffective in carrying out their duties.
Inside the building, faculty and administration resisted the desegregation. Black students were expected not to react to the daily bullying and physical abuse upon penalty of expulsion. The resistance refused to quit, many of the black students’ parents lost their jobs. Elizabeth’s mother was among them. After one year of unrelenting protest, Arkansas high schools were closed. Elizabeth was homeschooled. She later joined the army before pursuing a degree at Knox College. Elizabeth remains active in civil rights. The Little Rock Nine received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1999
This book contains actual photographs of the events, a timeline, historical essays, opinion pieces, and illustrations of those involved in this historic civil rights event. It is, in effect, a living historical document that portrays the facts and emotions swirling around the Arkansas event that became the center of international media attention.
I would highly recommend this book to all middle-grade students as well as young adult and adult readers interested in a well-written powerful account of civil rights history from one who has experienced it first-hand.

[Barbara Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an autobiographical memoir written by one of the nine black high school students who bravely attempted to integrate this school to implement the Supreme Court decision of 1954, Brown vs. the Board of Education.
Three years later in September of 1957, Elizabeth was chosen to be one of the students to attend this prestigious school. Governor Fabius of Arkansas refused to implement the court decision. When Elizabeth attempted to enter on the first day of the school term, she was spat at, bullied and threatened by the students and adults who gathered outside. Three weeks later, President Eisenhower called on the 101st Airborne Division to protect the students. After they left, the National Guard proved ineffective in carrying out their duties.
Inside the building, faculty and administration resisted the desegregation. Black students were expected not to react to the daily bullying and physical abuse upon penalty of expulsion. The resistance refused to quit, many of the black students’ parents lost their jobs. Elizabeth’s mother was among them. After one year of unrelenting protest, Arkansas high schools were closed. Elizabeth was homeschooled. She later joined the army before pursuing a degree at Knox College. Elizabeth remains active in civil rights. The Little Rock Nine received the Congressional Medal of Honor in 1999
This book contains actual photographs of the events, a timeline, historical essays, opinion pieces, and illustrations of those involved in this historic civil rights event. It is, in effect, a living historical document that portrays the facts and emotions swirling around the Arkansas event that became the center of international media attention.
I would highly recommend this book to all middle-grade students as well as young adult and adult readers interested in a well-written powerful account of civil rights history from one who has experienced it first-hand.

[Kazu Fujisawa]

This book is about Little Rock Nine and Elizabeth Eckford, how they became the first students to be going to de-segregated school in Arkansas, and countless hardships they had to go through.
This book brings us to the perspective to the time of de-segregation, in the perspective of Elizabeth Eckford and Little Rock nine. It is hard to believe this happened only 60 years ago, and still the segregation was in favor of majority white Americans.
This book is good to be taught even in earlier age, language is easy enough for elementary school student and has strong message agains the racism and bullying.

[Kevin Alexander · Rating 5 out of 5]

Civil Rights History

This book was absolutely amazing. To my knowledge it is the only book written by one of the Little Rock Nine. Elizabeth Eckford is a true inspiration for her courageous actions taken in Little Rock. This book appears to be geared towards the middle school age however and is a perfect tool to teach the destructive aspects to bullying. This book teaches to walk past Hate

[J.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've waited 60 years. In stride, Eckford delivers again.

[Sonya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not only did I have the greatest pleasure meeting this inspiring woman, I read this book to my class who were gripped by every word. Will definitely be a book that I go back to re-read.

[Carita · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently had the honor to host a discussion with Ms. Eckford about her book. For those who are unfamiliar with her story, she is a member of a group of students known as the Little Rock Nine that desegregated Central High School in the fall of 1957. It had been decided that the African-American students would come to school together as a group on the first day. Ms. Eckford's family did not get the message and she rode the bus to school alone that morning. When she arrived at the school, she was barred entry 3 times by the Arkansas National Guard troops that were stationed around the school. She was also followed by an angry mob that screamed at her and threatened to harm her for simply trying to go to school. Ms. Eckford's story is one about amazing strength and resilience when faced with hatred and injustice. I recommend that everyone read her story.

[Joice Kurian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Narrative of Little Rock incident. Describes how colored people started School education in USA.

[Vida · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an important and great history lesson for young people and adults.