White Water

For a young boy growing up in the segregated south, a town drinking fountain becomes the source of an epiphany.

It's a scorching hot day, and going into town with Grandma is one of Michael's favorite things. When the bus pulls up, they climb in and pay their fare, get out, walk to the back door, and climb in again. By the time they arrive in town, Michael's throat is as dry as a bone, so he runs to the water fountain. But after a few sips, the warm, rusty water tastes bad. Why is the kid at the "Whites Only" fountain still drinking? Is his water clear and refreshingly cool? No matter how much trouble Michael might get into, he's determined to find out for himself. Based on a transformative experience co-author Michael Bandy had as a boy, this compelling story sheds light on the reality of segregation through a child's eyes, while showing the powerful awareness that comes from daring to question the way things are.

Author: Michael S. Bandy, Eric Stein
Publisher: Candlewick Press (MA)
Published: 08/23/2011
Pages: 40
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.19lbs
Size: 11.65h x 9.96w x 0.42d
ISBN: 9780763636784
Audience: Ages 4-8

Accelerated Reader:
Reading Level: 3.2
Point Value: 0.5
Interest Level: Lower Grade
Quiz #/Name: 146253 / White Water


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/13/2011
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2011
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 09/01/2011
School Library Journal 09/01/2011 pg. 112
Booklist 10/15/2011 pg. 55
Hornbook Guide to Children 01/01/2012 pg. 18 - Below Average, With Minor Flaw

About the Author
Michael S. Bandy caught the writing bug when his third-grade teacher surprised him with a set of Dr. Seuss books. He's been writing plays, screenplays, and books ever since. He lives in Los Angeles and is involved in a number of children's charities.

Eric Stein has written for the children's TV series Star Street and was a supervising producer on the animated special Defender of Dynatron City. He is also on the dive team at the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, where he swims with the sharks almost every weekend.

Shadra Strickland is the illustrator of Bird, for which she won the Ezra Keats Award and the John Steptoe award, and Our Children Can Soar, for which she won the NAACP Image Award. She lives in Atlanta, Georgia.