White Water - by Michael S Bandy & Eric Stein

Book Synopsis

"Inspirational in tone, this is a strong introduction for young listeners and readers to the American Civil Rights movement."--Kirkus Reviews

After a long bus ride into town with his grandmother on a scorching hot day, Michael runs to the water fountain to quench his thirst. But instead of refreshing him, the water tastes gritty and dirty. Dismayed, Michael begins to imagine that the water from the nearby "white" fountain is exactly the kind of water he would like to taste. . . . Set in 1962 in the segregation-era South at the dawn of the civil rights movement, this moving and inspirational story, based on a real-life childhood experience of author Michael S. Bandy, shows how one epiphany opens up a whole world of possibilities.

Review Quotes

From the seating on the bus to the two water fountains, this book is a good look at the segregated South. Strickland's illustrations compliment the text beautifully with a commitment to detail. This is an excellent title to be used for African-American history month, Civil Rights curriculum, and as a read-aloud for younger students.
--Library Media Connection (highly recommended)

Michael's determination and imaginativeness are evident in Strickland'spale mixed-media paintings, which make excellent use of outlines to portray the boy's imaginings.
--Publishers Weekly

Inspirational in tone, this is a strong introduction for young listeners and readers to the American Civil Rights movement.
--Kirkus Reviews

Strickland's illustrations compliment the text beautifully with a commitment to detail. Textually and visually, this title simply comes together very well.
--Library Media Connection (starred review)

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.