The Lions of Little Rock by Kristin Levine (author) (US edition)

Would you stick up for your friends no matter what? Even if the Ku Klux Klan was on your tail? A gripping tale set in Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1958. When Marlee starts middle school in Little Rock, her world seems to be falling apart. But then she befriends Liz, the new girl at school. Liz is bold and brave, and always knows the right thing to say. She even helps Marlee overcome her greatest fear – speaking up. But then Liz is gone, replaced by the rumour that she was a black girl passing as white. Marlee knows that doesn’t matter. Liz is her closest ally. But in dangerous times, how much should Liz and Marlee risk to keep their friendship alive?