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Debbie Levy
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This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality Hardcover – January 8, 2019

by Jo Ann Allen Boyce (Author), Debbie Levy (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 176 ratings
Teachers' pick
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Recipient of a Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor
Winner of the 2019 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction
2020 National Council for the Social Studies Carter G. Woodson Honor Recipient
A NYPL Top Ten of 2019
A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year

In 1956, one year before federal troops escorted the Little Rock 9 into Central High School, fourteen year old Jo Ann Allen was one of twelve African-American students who broke the color barrier and integrated Clinton High School in Tennessee. At first things went smoothly for the Clinton 12, but then outside agitators interfered, pitting the townspeople against one another. Uneasiness turned into anger, and even the Clinton Twelve themselves wondered if the easier thing to do would be to go back to their old school. Jo Ann--clear-eyed, practical, tolerant, and popular among both black and white students---found herself called on as the spokesperson of the group. But what about just being a regular teen? This is the heartbreaking and relatable story of her four months thrust into the national spotlight and as a trailblazer in history. Based on original research and interviews and featuring backmatter with archival materials and notes from the authors on the co-writing process.

Previous page
  1. Reading age
    10 - 12 years
  2. Print length
    320 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Grade level
    Preschool - 1
  5. Lexile measure
    1000L
  6. Dimensions
    5.8 x 1.45 x 8.55 inches
  7. Publisher
    Bloomsbury Children's Books
  8. Publication date
    January 8, 2019
  9. ISBN-10
    1681198525
  10. ISBN-13
    978-1681198521
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 4–8—This evocatively told, carefully researched memoir-in-verse is the story of a group of 12 teenagers from Clinton, TN, who, in 1956, were among the first black students to pave the way for school integration. Free verse and formal poetry, along with newspaper headlines, snippets of legislation, and other primary sources about national and local history are mixed with Boyce's first-person narrative. The book opens with an overview of life in segregated Clinton and the national events leading up to the desegregation of Clinton High. The rest of the work follows the four months in the fall of 1956 when Boyce and the other 11 teens attended Clinton High. They faced angry white mobs outside the school, constant harassment from white classmates, and a hostile principal who viewed integration as a legal choice rather than a moral one. The book includes an introduction and epilogue, authors' notes, brief biographies of the involved students, photographs, a time line, and a bibliography. The writing invites readers to cheer on Boyce for her optimism and her stubbornness in the face of racism, without singling her out as a solitary hero. This story adeptly shows readers that, like the Clinton Twelve, they too can be part of something greater than themselves. VERDICT A must-buy for tweens and teens, especially where novels-in-verse are popular.—Erica Ruscio, formerly at Rockport Public Library, MA

Review

“Readers will empathize with Jo Ann's honest incredulity . . . Such gems relevant to today's politics, along with the narrator's strong inner voice, make this offering stand out. Powerful storytelling of a not-so-distant past.” ―Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"Insightful, immediate, and passionate . . . Lyrical yet hard-hitting account of a pivotal chapter in the history of desegregation." - Publishers Weekly, starred review

"This evocatively told, carefully researched memoir-in-verse . . . adeptly shows readers that, like the Clinton Twelve, they too can be part of something greater than themselves." - School Library Journal, starred review

"This moving and timely memoir should have a place in all libraries that serve young adults." - School Library Connection, starred review

"Sure to mobilize youth to action and change, this book is necessary for all library collections that serve youth." - VOYA, starred review

“Engrossing, informative, and important for middle-grade collections.” ―Booklist

“Accessible text and fast-paced narration make this a strong recommendation for 'One School, One Book' middle-school reading.” ―BCCB

“[A] fine addition to texts about the integration of public schools during the civil rights era in the United States. . .” ―The Horn Book Magazine

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Bloomsbury Children's Books (January 8, 2019)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1681198525
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1681198521
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 10 - 12 years
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 1000L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ Preschool - 1
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 14.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.8 x 1.45 x 8.55 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 176 ratings

About the author

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Debbie Levy

Debbie Levy

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I write books — nonfiction, fiction, and poetry — for people of all different ages, and especially for young people. Before starting my writing career, I was a newspaper editor; before that, I was a lawyer with a Washington, D.C. law firm. I have a bachelor’s degree in government and foreign affairs from the University of Virginia, and a law degree and master’s degree in world politics from the University of Michigan. I live in Maryland with my husband. We have two grown sons. Besides writing, I love to kayak, boat, fish, and otherwise mess around in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
4.7 out of 5
176 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Lorie Barber
5.0 out of 5 stars Must-reads for upper MG & up!
Reviewed in the United States on March 3, 2019
Verified Purchase
Only five stars? Nope. Infinite stars for this compelling, beautifully-composed masterpiece, co-written by one of the original Clinton 12, Jo Ann Allen Boyce, and author Debbie Levy.

I read this book cover-to-cover in one sitting, from the dedication and the introduction through the authors’ notes, scrapbook and further reading. I wanted to know every scrap of information about this group of courageous young people who came before the Little Rock 9 (this would be so incredible to pair with The Lions of Little Rock) and Ruby Bridges, yet few people know their story.

It is indeed Jo Ann’s story that amazed, gripped, and haunted me. Her first-person perspective was powerful enough, but then for Allen Boyce - with Levy - to choose so many different poetic forms in which to tell only made her story more fascinating. Switching from lyrical free-verse to pounding rhythmic and rhyming quartets when true events were at their most highly-charged? I’ve never seen this before in a narrative nonfiction and I was unequivocally blown away.

This is by far one of the best books I’ve ever read and definitely one of 2019’s best. I will proudly carry This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality on the shelves of my classroom library. It is an imperative read.
5 people found this helpful
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Irene & Hope
5.0 out of 5 stars Must read
Reviewed in the United States on May 11, 2021
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I know Jo Ann Boyce as the grandmother of the late actor Cameron Boyce, and I had first been introduced to her story through their Disney Channel history special together. I was so happy to have discovered her story in the form of this book, one that readers of any age could learn from and enjoy.

This book beautifully blends history with personal narrative and lyrical storytelling. It incorporates real newspaper headlines and Jo Ann's own interviews with the press during her school years, plus a rich memory of the experiences attached to them. There is heartbreak, and there is hope, which is a wonderful combination. These stories cannot be forgotten, and texts like this make them possible to learn from and keep close to your heart.
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Henry Puckett
5.0 out of 5 stars A FANTASTIC HISTORY LESSON!!!!!
Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2019
Verified Purchase
Growing up in the Clinton area, I had always heard stories about the Clinton 12. But just like all history lessons, most of them were second-hand stories of what happened in that time period. The history that was told from Alfred while I was in elementary school was my first taste of what happened back then, for he was one of the Clinton 12 who had to live through this difficult time.

The first-hand accounts Jo Ann has depicted within this book are truly heart-felt. What Jo Ann and the other members of the Clinton 12 had to go through is utterly heartbreaking. I believe this book is testimony to change will never be a bad thing.

Jo Ann, I applaud you and the other 11 members of the Clinton 12 for taking a brave stance in leading the community to a world of change. Thank you all for making a difference in the town of Clinton, TN.

This book was truly a history lesson like no other.
3 people found this helpful
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MV SLC
5.0 out of 5 stars 4th grader read this for her choice biography
Reviewed in the United States on August 2, 2023
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My 10 year old chose this book as her biography. She love the structure (verse) and read it quickly.
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Marie J.
4.0 out of 5 stars used book in perfect condition
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2019
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This is a teen book, not adult, so I wish I knew that before I bought it.
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Victor H. Boyce
5.0 out of 5 stars This is a civil rights story that should be mandatory reading for middle and high schools
Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2019
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Incredible story that was somehow burried in our American history! This is not just a young adults book, this is an ADULT book. It is an easy and enjoyable read, but yet it contains so much information about this brave group of young people who paved their way, under very tense circumstances, into the civil rights movement. The book is done in prose, which really works to keep it light hearted but also very real and touching. It also maintains a positive perspective, which is refreshing. I loved every second of reading this book and could not put it down!
5 people found this helpful
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shari sawyers
5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful, important, MUST READ.
Reviewed in the United States on April 13, 2019
Verified Purchase
THIS PROMISE OF CHANGE by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy is incredible! The true story of the integration of Clinton High School in Tennessee, and the 12 Black students who bravely walked down that hill and through those doors, is related in verse, with multiple styles of poetry, and co-written by one of those courageous souls. This is so well-written, and broke my heart with its raw honesty. This is an important story, and I’m so grateful it’s being told now! The back matter is extensive, but so worth reading! Definitely recommend for upper MG and YA.
2 people found this helpful
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Nika
5.0 out of 5 stars Great read
Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2021
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My daughter read this book for her school's summer reading program and loved it. SAD STORY but it was a great biography.
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Top reviews from other countries

Beatrice
1.0 out of 5 stars Damaged
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2020
Verified Purchase
The book arrived damaged and torn in a number of places. Massive shame as I bought it for a family friend.
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Beatrice
1.0 out of 5 stars Damaged
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 2, 2020
The book arrived damaged and torn in a number of places. Massive shame as I bought it for a family friend.
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LeonGand
5.0 out of 5 stars The book was great
Reviewed in Italy on August 2, 2019
Verified Purchase
This book is the story of the courage of 12 young and brave American students. The book is great source of information and it’s written in verse. Amazing
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