When the Schools Shut Down

When the Schools Shut Down tells the true autobiographical story of Yolanda Gladden, who grew up in Farmville, Virginia, where white lawmakers shut down all public schools for five years rather than comply with the Brown v. Board of Education ruling to integrate. While some children went without schooling entirely, Yolanda's community came together to educate their children in homes and church basements, refusing to let injustice stop their learning.

This is a vital and often-overlooked civil rights story for students because it spotlights a lesser-known chapter of the desegregation era while celebrating the resilience and resourcefulness of a community that refused to be defeated.

Publishing Details

Author : Yolanda Gladden, Tamara Pizzoli

Illustrator : Keisha Morris

Author Nationality : United States

Physical Details

Type of Book: Picture

Cover: Hardcover

Pages: 40

Size: 9.1 x 10.2 inches

Year Published: 2022

Instructional Details

Reading Grade Level: 2nd

Genre: Non-Fiction

Sub-Genre: Autobiography

Theme: Black History, Social Issues, Social Studies, About POC, Equality