Mary Ann Rodman

When her FBI-agent father is transferred to Jackson, Mississippi, in 1964, eleven-year-old Alice wants to be popular but also wants to reach out to the one black girl in her class in a newly-integrated school.

Yankee Girl

Roger Almon Roth

Even though Zach finds roller coasters scary, he rides one with Grandpa in an attempt to make him happy again after Grandma's death.

The Roller Coaster Kid

An unflinching story about racism and culture clash in the 1960s. The year is 1964, and Alice Ann Moxley's FBI-agent father has been reassigned from Chicago to Jackson, Mississippi, to protect black people who are registering to vote. Alice finds herself thrust into the midst of the racial turmoil that dominates current events, especially when a Negro girl named Valerie Taylor joins her sixth-grade class -- the first of two black students at her new school because of a mandatory integration law. When Alice finds it difficult to penetrate the clique of girls at school she calls the Cheerleaders (they call her Yankee Girl), she figures Valerie, being the other outsider, will be easier to make friends with. But Valerie isn't looking for friends. Rather, Valerie silently endures harassment from the Cheerleaders, much worse than what Alice is put through. Soon Alice realizes the only way to befriend the girls is to seem like a co-conspirator in their plans to make Valerie miserable. It takes a horrible tragedy for her to realize the complete ramifications of following the crowd instead of her heart.

Six-year-old Lily has a best friend all picked out for play group day, but unfortunately the differences between first-graders and second-graders are sometimes very large.

My Best Friend

No share time! Only one recess! Writing is hard! The stories don’t end right! FIRST GRADE STINKS! It is the first day of school and Hayley is excited. Things are different now. She is a first grader. Hayley quickly finds out that first grade is different from kindergarten, but in all the wrong ways! The classroom isn’t as bright and colorful. Ms. Gray doesn’t seem to smile as much as her kindergarten teacher did, and there isn’t enough time to play outside. Finally, Hayley has had enough. “First grade stinks!” she shouts. The classroom is suddenly very quiet. But to Hayley’s surprise Ms. Gray doesn’t look mad at all. Young readers will immediately empathize with Hayley and her increasing apprehension, as she explores new expectations and challenges on the first day of a new school year.

First Grade Stinks!

Lily chooses Tamika to be her best friend at the neighborhood pool. But Tamika already has a best friend and doesn't care about Lily. No matter how hard Lily tries to impress Tamika, nothing works. This charming story helps kids learn about what a true friend is. Full color.

Valerie's voice is as sweet as honey. She's the obvious choice to star in the Nativity. But this is Mississippi, 1964, and Valerie is the first black student to attend her school. Alice is torn between standing up for Valerie and being popular with the in-crowd. It takes a tragedy for Alice to find the courage to act. A truly resonant story about racism and doing the right thing, based on the author's own experiences. With internet links to recommended websites about the American Civil Rights Movement. "A wonderful book about the power of friendship which will appeal to all ages." - School Librarian Journal

Mary Ann Rodman

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