1. Melba Pattillo- the author and narrator of the book; She was 15 when the integration took place

2. Lois Peyton(mother Lois )- Melbas mother, who was also a teacher ; She was very strong and supportive

3. India Peyton(Grandma India)- Melba's grandmother who lived with the family and gave her great wisdom.

5. Ernie- oldest of the 9 integrated; he was going into his senior year

6. Terry- another of the integrated, he was a junior

7. Jefferson- One of the "Little Rock Nine"

8. Elizabeth- another of the "Little Rock Nine", she was very quiet, but the experience helped her open up.

9. Thelma- One of the "Little Rock Nine", she had a heart problem and was one of Melba's close friends

10. Caroltta- another of the integrated

11. Minnijean- another of the "Little Rock Nine", also a close friend of Melba's

12. Gloria- took part in the integration

14. Link- A white boy, who helps Melba secretly, which many times saved her life because of the harsh things that took place inside the school.

- By May of 1958 all troops were removed form Central.

-After the Supreme Court ruled that segregated schools were illegal in the Brown vs. the Board of Education of Topeka trial, Little Rock School Board decided to limit integration to Central High, but it wouldn't take place until September, 1957; Several black students in the school district decided to integrate.

-The day before school opens, the governer Faubus calls the Arkansas National Guard to the High, and the day school opens the integrating students don't go, and that day the Federal Judge Davis orders integration begins September 4th.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Judge Davis, Ernie Green, National Guard, School Board, Rock Nine, Arkansas Gazette, Vince- Melba's, Conrad- Melba's, Marshall NAACP, Melba Pattillo-, little rock, little rock nine, rock nine, close school, inside school, arkansas national, 101st soldiers, arkansas national guard, day school, national guard,
Approximate Word count = 700
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)