The Lions of Little Rock is the 2nd book by Kristin Levine. It takes place in 1950s Arkansas, when segregation was a hot topic.
It’s 1958 in Little Rock, Arkansas, and Marlee is starting her 1st year of junior high. In the midst of a time when segregation is causing numerous problems, Marlee is desperate for a good friend she can talk to other than her older sister, Judy. But making friends is challenging for Marlee because she’s shy.
Enter Liz, a new girl in town who’s incredibly outgoing and direct. Liz instantly takes a liking to Marlee and they decide to be partners in a major school project. Pretty soon, thanks to Liz, Marlee starts to open up and finally builds the courage she needs to complete their classroom presentation and be more talkative.
One day, Marlee finds out that Liz is actually a black girl pretending to be a white girl, and that she has been sent to the school for colored kids.
After that, Marlee and Liz desperately find ways to spend time with one another, even if it leads to dangerous circumstances that put them and their families in harm’s way.
The Lions of Little Rock is a very quick read. Marlee is quirky and innocent—the book is told in her voice and just flies by.
The novel is true historical fiction. It’s written in a way that makes you want to learn more about how segregation really worked in various towns across the U.S. It was a good one, I recommend it.
Other books by Kristin Levine include:
- The Paper Cowboy (2014)
- The Jigsaw Jungle (2018)
- The Thing I’m Most Afraid Of (2021)
What did you think about this book?
Last Updated on December 30, 2025 by Sarah Ann
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