White Water

By Eric Stein, Shadra Stickland (Illustrator)

A boy's thirst reveals the harsh realities of segregation and sparks a life-changing epiphany.

4.1/5 Goodreads · 438 ratings

40 pages· 1,096 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

$8.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

In 1962, young Michael faces the harsh realities of segregation when a simple drink from a water fountain leaves him disillusioned. As he imagines the clean water from the 'white' fountain, he begins to question the world around him. This poignant story, inspired by real events, captures a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, where one boy's realization opens the door to endless possibilities. Will Michael's newfound awareness lead to change, or will the barriers of the era prove insurmountable? Discover how a single moment can ignite a lifetime of courage and hope.

From the publisher

“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.

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