White Socks Only

Plot Summary

In the segregated south, a young girl thinks that she can drink from a fountain marked "Whites Only" because she is wearing her white socks.

Awards

1996 Notable Book for Children, Smithsonian Magazine; Pick of the Lists, American Bookseller

Reviews

"A quiet, stunning foray into segregated Mississippi: one hot afternoon, a little girl from the country, venturing for the first time alone into town, drinks from the 'Whites Only' fountain. Eventually, in places like this, courage would transcend hate; this extraordinary book helps us, and our children, to understand how that transformation came to be. The most outstanding title for 1996." Smithsonian Magazine

"Subtle and stirring, this tale-within-a-tale begins with an affectionate exchange between an African American girl and her grandmother, then telescopes to encompass an electrifying moment fraught with personal and political significance." Publishers Weekly

"...the book works as an effective portrayal of a child's innocence and her awakening to racism." Booklist

 "[I]t's an important [story] that will help young children start thinking and talking about race relations in this country both historically and in the present."
Children's Literature

Associated Keywords
prejudice, African American, multicultural, race relations, Mississippi