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When the Schools Shut Down: A Young Girl's Story of Virginia's "Lost Generation" and the Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka Decision
An awe-inspiring autobiographical picture book about a young African American girl who lived during the shutdown of public schools in Farmville, Virginia, following the landmark civil rights case Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka.
Most people think that the Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954 meant that schools were integrated with deliberate speed. But the children of Prince Edward County located in Farmville, Virginia, who were prohibited from attending formal schools for five years knew differently, including Yolanda.
Told by Yolanda Gladden herself, cowritten by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli and with illustrations by Keisha Morris, When the Schools Shut Down is a true account of the unconstitutional effort by white lawmakers of this small Virginia town to circumvent racial justice by denying an entire generation of children an education.
Most importantly, it is a story of how one community triumphed together, despite the shutdown.
Most people think that the Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954 meant that schools were integrated with deliberate speed. But the children of Prince Edward County located in Farmville, Virginia, who were prohibited from attending formal schools for five years knew differently, including Yolanda.
Told by Yolanda Gladden herself, cowritten by Dr. Tamara Pizzoli and with illustrations by Keisha Morris, When the Schools Shut Down is a true account of the unconstitutional effort by white lawmakers of this small Virginia town to circumvent racial justice by denying an entire generation of children an education.
Most importantly, it is a story of how one community triumphed together, despite the shutdown.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published January 11, 2022
2 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
April 15, 2023
The story of Yolanda Gladden is told in this inspiring book. After the Brown vs. Board of Education decision of 1954 Prince Edward County located in Farmville, Virginia closed all schools for five years to avoid integration(!) But Yolanda Gladden and other African American children went to schools started by their community - a testament to the collective courage of their will to overcome racism.
January 1, 2023
I read When the Schools Shut Down by Tamara Pizzoli and Yolanda Gladden for a project for my Borders and Boundaries class.
For my project I was focusing on the different ways school segregation gets told through children's literature and how movements are erased in ways that we often teach history, and how this misconstrues that narrative.
I like the counternarrative that When the Schools Shut Down presents of the effects of a movement and the depiction of Brown v. Board as the beginning of issues as opposed to the ending. I really appreciate learning about choosing education as resistance when the government decided it was better to shut down the public school system of Prince Edward County rather than face any integration. This book depicts the church schools that continued through the five years that the Virginia county refused to open the schools. One depiction I especially like is the way the students learned about Black history and that slavery was neither the beginning nor end of the story of their history. This is important and relevant to the way we teach history today.
I really liked this one as a further look at the issues of desegregation from a different perspective than just Ruby Bridges, and the way it introduces elements of the movement more than the individual.
For my project I was focusing on the different ways school segregation gets told through children's literature and how movements are erased in ways that we often teach history, and how this misconstrues that narrative.
I like the counternarrative that When the Schools Shut Down presents of the effects of a movement and the depiction of Brown v. Board as the beginning of issues as opposed to the ending. I really appreciate learning about choosing education as resistance when the government decided it was better to shut down the public school system of Prince Edward County rather than face any integration. This book depicts the church schools that continued through the five years that the Virginia county refused to open the schools. One depiction I especially like is the way the students learned about Black history and that slavery was neither the beginning nor end of the story of their history. This is important and relevant to the way we teach history today.
I really liked this one as a further look at the issues of desegregation from a different perspective than just Ruby Bridges, and the way it introduces elements of the movement more than the individual.
July 17, 2022
This autobiographical picture book shines a spotlight on an often overlooked aspect of civil rights history. The state of Virginia was so opposed to integration that it closed public schools for five years. Yolanda and many other Black children in Prince Edward County were nonetheless able to get a first-rate education thanks to her community stepping up.
February 8, 2022
This needs to be required reading for all interested in current unrest in public school and compared/contrasted to the real battles that took place during desegregation.
"...resulted in the landmark decision that they thought would change the country. It was their big breakthrough. And that's why the history of the Brown vs. Board of Education case is well documented in books, movies and museums. But what most people don't know is that the decision makers in my hometown had their own plans: plans that would curtail progress, plans that would shut down public schools for five years, plans that are left out of the mainstream history."
Could we wait five years for justice and while we waited, value the subsequent education we received at the hands of our families and friends doing school?
"...resulted in the landmark decision that they thought would change the country. It was their big breakthrough. And that's why the history of the Brown vs. Board of Education case is well documented in books, movies and museums. But what most people don't know is that the decision makers in my hometown had their own plans: plans that would curtail progress, plans that would shut down public schools for five years, plans that are left out of the mainstream history."
Could we wait five years for justice and while we waited, value the subsequent education we received at the hands of our families and friends doing school?
November 13, 2023
The second historical fiction book I read this week was “When the Schools Shut Down” by Yolanda Gladden. This book is about a little girl named Yolanda who couldn’t figure out why her country was separated by two colors: white and black. One thing Yolanda cannot wait for is the day she can go to school. Finally, she goes on to receive an education from a church in her community because the public schools in her county shut down because of the Brown v Board of Education law that was passed. Yolanda lived in Virginia, and they were so against desegregation they shut down schools for five years. Once public schools had reopened Yolanda loved to learn and had been well educated by her family, her church, and her community she passed each school exam with flying colors and was among the highest-achieving students in her class. I enjoyed this book because it was told from the perspective of a young girl on racial segregation in the South (Virginia) during the 1950s. I gave this book five stars because I think this book can be used to introduce the Civil Rights Movement to young children and was told in a child-friendly way that is easy for children to comprehend and relate to.
I would use this book in a third-grade classroom because of the meaningful message of the book which is a community coming together as one when the going gets tough and how education always prospers. An activity I would do with my students with this book is having the students research the history of famous black people listed in the book. The students can create a presentation to share with the class why they are important to our nation's history, why the author would use these names in the book, and maybe discuss why we have never heard some of their names before. Some of these names are Aaron Douglas, Jane C. Wright, Augusta Savage, Vivien Thomas, Marcus Garvey, etc. The students will become intrigued by how many amazing and useful creations were invented by black scholars, scientists, researchers, artists, and innovators. “If you know your history, then you’ll know where you’re going.”
I would use this book in a third-grade classroom because of the meaningful message of the book which is a community coming together as one when the going gets tough and how education always prospers. An activity I would do with my students with this book is having the students research the history of famous black people listed in the book. The students can create a presentation to share with the class why they are important to our nation's history, why the author would use these names in the book, and maybe discuss why we have never heard some of their names before. Some of these names are Aaron Douglas, Jane C. Wright, Augusta Savage, Vivien Thomas, Marcus Garvey, etc. The students will become intrigued by how many amazing and useful creations were invented by black scholars, scientists, researchers, artists, and innovators. “If you know your history, then you’ll know where you’re going.”
October 12, 2024
This is a beautifully illustrated picture book about growing up in Virginia’s “Lost Generation” and the Brown V. Board of Education of Topeka Supreme Court Decision.
Yolanda Gladden tells her story as a young child growing up in this time of turbulent change. The book highlights the bonds between Yolanda’s family and friends, who became her inspiration and guides to her journey of discovery and what it meant to be a Black American in the 60’s. These same leaders helped Yolanda prosper as a student during the five years that Prince Edward County Schools were being shut down one by one. It goes into many details of what it was like during her time at the First Baptist school and how the children were educated on many topics, including the gravity and importance of the history they were living.
The book also includes a detailed Timeline of Events for the era, a fascinating conversation with Yolanda and Dr. Pizzoli, and a detailed list of sources and further reading to consider.
This would be a wonderful resource for school libraries, from elementary all the way up to middle school. It would also be a great resource for teachers to have in their personal classroom collections, for use in units on the Civil Rights Movement.
Highly recommended.
W.C.
School Library Associate
Yolanda Gladden tells her story as a young child growing up in this time of turbulent change. The book highlights the bonds between Yolanda’s family and friends, who became her inspiration and guides to her journey of discovery and what it meant to be a Black American in the 60’s. These same leaders helped Yolanda prosper as a student during the five years that Prince Edward County Schools were being shut down one by one. It goes into many details of what it was like during her time at the First Baptist school and how the children were educated on many topics, including the gravity and importance of the history they were living.
The book also includes a detailed Timeline of Events for the era, a fascinating conversation with Yolanda and Dr. Pizzoli, and a detailed list of sources and further reading to consider.
This would be a wonderful resource for school libraries, from elementary all the way up to middle school. It would also be a great resource for teachers to have in their personal classroom collections, for use in units on the Civil Rights Movement.
Highly recommended.
W.C.
School Library Associate
June 18, 2022
Yolanda is growing up, listening to parents and other family talk about all facets of life, including that new law called Brown vs The Board of Education. She knows things are different for her; she's a colored girl. And signs everywhere show her what she can do and NOT do. When that new law passed, white lawmakers in Prince Edward County responded by shutting down all the schools, one by one. "It was then that Yolanda learned that because a law is legal doesn't mean it is just. And just because a law exists doesn't mean everyone will follow it." This is one story of what has been called "The Lost Generation" in Virginia.
Written by Yolanda Gladden about her own experiences, told to Dr. Tamar Pizzoli, it's an inspiring story with spectacular and informative illustrations by Keisha Morris. Those schools stayed shut for five years but the black community formed their own schools to continue educating the children. Meeting in churches and homes, they not only taught those usual three r's but included the rich history of black people, not just centered on their enslavement.
There is more in the back matter, more that we all will be interested in knowing, including a marvelous timeline of desegregation in America's public schools!
Written by Yolanda Gladden about her own experiences, told to Dr. Tamar Pizzoli, it's an inspiring story with spectacular and informative illustrations by Keisha Morris. Those schools stayed shut for five years but the black community formed their own schools to continue educating the children. Meeting in churches and homes, they not only taught those usual three r's but included the rich history of black people, not just centered on their enslavement.
There is more in the back matter, more that we all will be interested in knowing, including a marvelous timeline of desegregation in America's public schools!
March 21, 2022
I am sure your students and readers have heard of Ruby Bridges. But have they heard of Yolanda Gladden and Virginia’s Lost Generation?
After reading stories about Ruby Bridges and Brown vs. BOE of Topeka, I would highly recommend reading this book next. What happens when a state and/or county doesn’t follow federal laws? Well…. Prince Edward County Virginia, just closed all of their schools to not desegregate. Rich kids and White Kids went on to learn at private schools and academies or other counties. Some Black students went to school at their church or other people’s houses. But many white and black students didn’t have a formal education for 5 years.
I highly recommend this book as a read aloud with your school age elementary readers and older grades too.
As a side note:
I also think this will be helpful to students to put last years’ school years into perspective. While the remaining 2020 and the 20-21 school years were rough on the kids, there were still some outlets for help and learning compared to what happened in Virginia between 1959 to 1963.
After reading stories about Ruby Bridges and Brown vs. BOE of Topeka, I would highly recommend reading this book next. What happens when a state and/or county doesn’t follow federal laws? Well…. Prince Edward County Virginia, just closed all of their schools to not desegregate. Rich kids and White Kids went on to learn at private schools and academies or other counties. Some Black students went to school at their church or other people’s houses. But many white and black students didn’t have a formal education for 5 years.
I highly recommend this book as a read aloud with your school age elementary readers and older grades too.
As a side note:
I also think this will be helpful to students to put last years’ school years into perspective. While the remaining 2020 and the 20-21 school years were rough on the kids, there were still some outlets for help and learning compared to what happened in Virginia between 1959 to 1963.
November 10, 2024
The book "When the Schools Shut Down"by Tamara Pizzoli and Yolanda Gladden, highlights an unknown period in the Civil Rights Movement's history: the 1959 FarmVille, Virginia, school closure that followed the historic Supreme Court ruling in Brown v. Board of Education. The book could have gone more deeply into the emotional impact on the devastated children and families, even while the message of shared resilience is encouraging. Not enough attention is paid to the difficulties encountered by the school closures, such as the emotional strain, dissatisfaction, and loneliness. Although the book effectively introduces young readers to a significant period in history and offers an inspiring message of strength and collaboration, older children and adults who are already familiar with this part of history may find it overly simple. For readers who are just starting to learn about the history of racial inequality and the fight for civil rights in America, this is a wonderful story of determination and community based power.
June 2, 2022
The world was changing around young Yolanda. It is the 1940-50s in the United States, where the Brown V. Board of Education decision calls for the desegregation of schools. For this young black girl, Yolanda is about to attend a school where she will get to have the same resources as her white peers. However, when angry white lawmakers shutdown the schools for five years because they don’t want schools to become racially integrated yet; black communities everywhere have to be creative, strong, and band together to educate their young.
This book captures what historians often refer to the “Lost Generation,” where schools were shutdown for five years. However, many children were able to be educated through the efforts of the community, including Yolanda, who later went to school and was the top of her class. It is an important story that captures the power of community and resilience.
This book captures what historians often refer to the “Lost Generation,” where schools were shutdown for five years. However, many children were able to be educated through the efforts of the community, including Yolanda, who later went to school and was the top of her class. It is an important story that captures the power of community and resilience.
February 6, 2023
When you hear the first part of the title, you might think of the COVID-19 pandemic, but then you hear the rest and realize how stubborn racist people were to avoid desegregation. A county refused to integrate and closed the schools so they wouldn't have to. This book gives great context to the history of struggle for Black children to receive a full and equal education. It also shows the ingenuity and determination of Black communities to make sure it happened, even when the government and schools wouldn't. I appreciate the inclusion of a photo of a "free school," but I wish there were some photos of the community-led schools.
January 23, 2022
I first learned of this book from the Sharon Says So podcast and knew it would be an important addition to my classroom library. I knew about the Supreme Court case Brown vs. Board of Education but I had not known about the closing of schools in Farmville, Virginia. This book is beautifully illustrated and tells the story of this important history in a clear and easy to understand way. The book includes notes from the authors at the end as well as a timeline of school desegregation as well as sources and further reading suggestions.
July 25, 2022
I learned about the "Lost Generation" in Virginia history - children who didn't attend formal public schools for a period of time because of segregation and the shutting down of public schools because of integration laws. Black parents, teachers, and community members across the county rallied together and created their own schools. Storyteller Yolanda Gladden was one of the children who learned from the community-created Black schools. When she could attend integrated schools years later, she was one of the highest-achieving students in her class.
June 26, 2023
I read this book as an adult reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. This book is marketed as being for PreK-3rd, but I think it would work best in a 1st-4th grade classroom. Most students have probably heard of Ruby Bridges, but I bet they have never heard of Yolanda Gladden or the "Lost Generation". This book would be good to read when learning about civil rights, segregation, desegregation, Black History Month, etc. *Also, the title is very deceiving. At first glance, I immediately thought that it was going to be about the COVID-19 pandemic.
February 25, 2022
A fascinating true story. This picture book details when one county in Virginia chose to close public school rather than integrate them. This led to 5 years where kids could not go to school. Community efforts led to parents finding other ways to educate their kids. Too wordy for younger readers, but my elementary schooler found this picture book interesting and appreciated the additional information and timeline in the back.
February 13, 2023
Important piece of history that I certainly never learned. A little too simplistic for me; I'd like to read a book for ages 8 up, instead of 5-8 as this seems to be, on the subject. Did all (or almost all) Black children find a church or home school? Did any white children attend makeshift schools? Did this only happen in Farmville? Who are all those Black role models shown with Marcus Garvey on that history spread?
September 24, 2024
Yolanda Gladden was a young girl when Brown vs. The Board of Education was decided. For five years her local school was shut down. Yolanda and other kids met at the church and continued their education despite the shut down. When schools reopened as integrated locations she was ready to show her hard work and intelligence. The children of this shut down were known as the "Los Generation" because they did not get to attend formal public education.
February 3, 2026
I definitely recommend this for Black History month for elementary aged kids. It's about how white supremacists in the government tried to circumnavigate providing a non-segregated education for several years in the late 50's and early 60's. Eventually their rulings were overturned by higher courts and children were able to be educated again. This is an accessible and easily understood book for elementary kids and interesting enough for middle grades as well.
February 10, 2022
Follows Yolanda in the 1950s who continued to learn despite her county closing schools in Prince Edward County for 5 years as a result of the Supreme Court declaring segregation in schools unconstitutional.
A little too long for public library storytime but fine for school grades 1-4. Great for Black History month and to support African-American pride.
A little too long for public library storytime but fine for school grades 1-4. Great for Black History month and to support African-American pride.
February 10, 2022
I saw this on our library's website and immediately checked it out. Everyone should read this book. My husband and I both have M.A.'s in history and neither one of us had heard of this. As an undergrad, I even took a black history course and constitutional law and STILL never heard about this Virginia county's despicable response to the Brown vs. Board of Education case.
June 6, 2022
This is an important story and one that deserves telling but I found this book a bit disappointing. It evolved into a rather dry chronicle of events and somehow lacked the emotion of the time and the immense dedication it took to continue to educate the students shut out from the school system.
I did enjoy Keisha Morris's illustrations but overall the book lacked impact for me.
I did enjoy Keisha Morris's illustrations but overall the book lacked impact for me.
January 31, 2023
In our academic environments today that focus so much on diversity, inclusion, and equity--this is an excellent story to explain why these subjects matter to young children. I have heard of some of the names mentioned in the book recently; but I am interested to research and seek out children's books about them too.
June 27, 2022
Possible contender for the Mock Caldecott Awards in January 2023. An interesting story about Yolanda Gladden, a young girl born in Virginia who lived through the 5 year school closing in Prince Edward county.
December 14, 2022
While I do not like that it is hard to find books on lesser-publicized civil rights participants in "adult reading," this was an enlightening book that may help me to find more things in the future.
Thank you to Camelot Elementary book choosers for having this book.
Thank you to Camelot Elementary book choosers for having this book.
January 13, 2022
Terrific example of 'witness literature' for elementary readers, and a lesser-told perspective on school desegregation.
January 21, 2022
I really enjoyed learning about Yolanda Gladden's story. The story is descriptive and well written. I am really enjoying the beautiful illustrations too.
January 28, 2022
3.5 stars
March 9, 2022
5 stars for this picture book that calls forth a shameful time in history in Virginia when rather than integrate, schools closed.
March 31, 2022
Love the images and history provided. Get it from the person's perspective.
August 12, 2022
Wonderfully written. Important story. Beautiful illustrations. A must read for all elementary students.
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