Fire from the Rock, by Sharon Draper Diversity Book #1

      In my opinion, this book is a must have in any school library.  Draper for one is an amazing writer, and all of her books should be included in anyone's library.  She is very descriptive, she writes realistically and her characters are easy for the reader to find a connection with.  I chose this book in particular because it is novel written for middle to high school readers that places them in 1957, and the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement.  Draper uses this piece of historical fiction to let readers in on the events that surrounded the intregration of Central High School and the Little Rock Nine.  Even though her character Sylvia Patterson does not end up being one of the first nine African American students that intergrate Central, she takes us through the process she went through to make her decision.  Draper's character has a very strong tie with her family, and has not had it easy within the white community.  However, she does have relationships with several white individuals, and these relationships are positive.  Her friendship with Rachel Zucker and her family, teaches Sylvia that not all white people have a racial vendetta out against the African American race.  I think a lot of students look back at that time period and think that ALL white or ALL African American people hated each other, which was not the case.  Through this book, I am able to teach my students about relationships, perserverance, courage, honor, integrity, tolerance, and many more traits that they need to survive in our diverse world.  I truly believe that this book can be a teaching tool for all types of students, and can be used a positive example of how if you look past a person's looks, you can discover something phenominal!