Books with title Whitewater

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

For a young boy growing up in the segregated south, a town drinking fountain becomes the source of an epiphany.It’s a scorching hot day, and going into town with Grandma is one of Michael’s favorite things. When the bus pulls up, they climb in and pay their fare, get out, walk to the back door, and climb in again. By the time they arrive in town, Michael’s throat is as dry as a bone, so he runs to the water fountain. But after a few sips, the warm, rusty water tastes bad. Why is the kid at the “Whites Only” fountain still drinking? Is his water clear and refreshingly cool? No matter how much trouble Michael might get into, he’s determined to find out for himself. Based on a transformative experience co-author Michael Bandy had as a boy, this compelling story sheds light on the reality of segregation through a child’s eyes, while showing the powerful awareness that comes from daring to question the way things are.

In this sequel to Willy the Scrub, the gang has joined a kayaking club after school. Willy seems to get the hang of it fine, but Rufus and Clara are not doing so well. Clara, who is one of the school's top girl athletes, ends up upside-down in the water and develops a real fear of getting back into the water with her kayak. Her best friend makes sense: "Hey, you're a great athlete already. What do you have to prove? Just quit." Clara wonders if this sport really is "all wet."

There's never a dull moment at Eagle Lodge. Whether it's riding Lily on a steep mountain trail, encountering a bear, or saving her brother from one of his close calls, Wakara is always in the middle of excitement.In book three, an antique journal reveals a stunning surprise: The first Wakara was indeed her ancestor, but she wasn't even close to who Wakara thought she was. Then, just when she thinks she and Colin might become more than friends, he starts ignoring her. To make matters worse, Dad is suddenly treating her as if she were ten instead of almost sixteen, and she can't figure out why. As always, Wakara is stressed about taking care of Ryan, her accident-prone seven-year-old brother. When Colin leads the gang on a white water rafting trip, he makes a crucial error in judgment, and Ryan is swept out of the boat. A desperate search-and-rescue operation ensues, with Wakara right in the middle. Can she ever forgive Colin for putting Ryan's life at risk?