• The Lions of Little Rock

  • By: Kristin Levine
  • Narrated by: Julia Whelan
  • Length: 8 hrs and 22 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (301 ratings)

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The Lions of Little Rock  By  cover art

The Lions of Little Rock

By: Kristin Levine
Narrated by: Julia Whelan
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Publisher's summary

Everything’s changing for twelve-year-old Marlee. Her brother’s gone off to college and her sister’s moved out of the room they’ve shared since Marlee was born. To Marlee, it feels like her whole world’s falling apart.

On top of all that, she’s starting middle school and has to break in new teachers - teachers who don’t yet know Marlee doesn’t talk. At least not until she meets Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is she’s brave, brash and always knows the right thing to say, especially to the resident mean girl, Sally. Liz even helps Marlee overcome her fear of speaking. But when Liz leaves school without even a good-bye, the rumor is that Liz was really a colored girl caught passing for white. Marlee decides that doesn’t matter. She just wants her friend back. And to stay friends, Marlee and Liz are even willing to take on segregation and the dangers their friendship could bring to both their families.

©2011 Kristin Levine (P)2011 Listening Library

Critic reviews

"Creating a book that reads as though written in one effortless breath requires a rare talent.... Readers will root for a painfully shy girl to discover the depths of her own courage and find hope in the notion that even in tumultuous times, standing up for the people you love can’t be wrong. Satisfying, gratifying, touching, weighty - this authentic piece of work has got soul." (The New York Times Book Review)

“Successfully weaving historical events with a dynamic personal narrative, Levine (The Best Bad Luck I Ever Had) offers a riveting, frequently tense portrait of 1958 Little Rock, Ark., the tumultuous year when the governor refused integration by closing local high schools." (Publishers Weekly, starred review)

“The remarkable story of the Little Rock Nine is familiar to many, but what happened next? In this quietly powerful page-turner, Levine focuses her attention on the events that unfolded in Little Rock the year after the integration of the city’s public schools.” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review)

What listeners say about The Lions of Little Rock

Average customer ratings
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    4 out of 5 stars

great

great history lesson told in a compelling way. excellent for kids and adults alike. recommend for ages 7 plus ...

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2 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars

Great historical fiction

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes! I went out and bought the book after I listened to it. The book is set in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1958...The Little Rock 9 events were in 1957. It's the story of two girls, one nearly silent and one outspoken, who become fast friends in an era where it wasn't acceptable for a white girl to be friends with a black girl. It's about finding your voice in an uncomfortable situation. This is an excellent historical fiction book for middle schoolers.

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So interesting

I was so amazed by the story that segregation seemed like a subplot or problem in the book any other characters would not be as good as this

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1 person found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Everything was amazing 🤩

I loved this it was like really good 😊 definitely recommend this book if you like historical fiction 😋✨✨✨✨✨

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

Lovely, haunting, addictive!

By the end of the first digital page, I fell deeply in love with this novel. Rich with historical information and impeccably researched, I felt drawn into an era that I only know surface trivia about. Cheering along for the girls, worrying over their safety, and crying at all of the losses made this a must-teach text for next year's 8th graders. The narration is impeccable! Her accent is beautiful, and the tracks are smoother than fine chocolate. I cannot wait to listen again!

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    5 out of 5 stars
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I loved it so much. It made me cry once.

Loved it. it brought a different perspective in my life. I felt so sorry for them and it showed me how mean the were back then. I could read this book again and again and I wouldn't get bored of it.

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  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars

Really Heart Felt

If you are a shy person,this is a book that will have you so inspired

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Great historic fiction book

Very good book! Believable story line and give a great perspective of what it was like in Little Rock Arkansas in 1958.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Amazing

It was an amazing story, that kept my attention throughout the whole book. it was great.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars

I LOVE this book! Very Good! LOVE THIS BOOK! IT IS A VERY LOVELY BOOK!

I would recommend it to everyone! It is very good! Very Very Very VERY GOOD!🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😍😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😘😋😋😋😋😋😋

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