This book would be good for all grade levels. It could be used to start a history lesson on segregation. This book is about Sarah Roberts and how her wanting to attend a school that had the resources to educate her started a process that would eventually lead to the integration of schools. ( )

Goodman skillfully chronicles the story of how the 1849 Roberts v. City of Boston paved the way for the many “first steps,” both forward and backward, towards a more just education system, with which we still struggle today. Marching Toward Equality: An Integration Timeline, What Happened to Our Heroes?, Sources and Resources, Author’s Note.

A beautifully illustrated and written book. This book follows the journey of a young African American girl by the name of Sarah Roberts. Sarah Roberts and her family were faced with a dilemma in that she would not be able to attend her neighborhood school because it was a "whites only" school. Sarah was faced with segregation during this time. This book would fit perfectly in a social studies classroom. It teaches students about the courts and about the importance of integration. Really enjoyed this one. ( )

This extraordinary true story takes places almost 100 years before Brown vs Board. The First Step is a relatable story that I believe can teach young readers and students how to move forward when faced with a loss, and how speaking out about injustice anywhere is always a win! There are many ways group discussions that explore topics such as race relations and segregation can get students engaged – reminds us all that – we have the power within ourselves to make big changes in our world. ( )

This book tells the story of a young African American girl named Sarah Roberts in 1847 who attended The Otis School in Boston. When she was told she couldn't come back to school because she was African American, her family insisted on fighting for change. Roberts v. City of Boston was the first case to challenge our legal system to outlaw segregated schools. I like how this book addresses the story 100 years before the Brown v. Board of Education, showing us that these problems were here for many years. This would be a great book to show the history of segregation and it gives the students something to relate and reflect on. ( )