This heartfelt story is about a small town working together to get their children a bus to ride to school. During this time, white children were able to catch the bus, while the black children had to walk 5 miles to get to school. Whether rain or shine, it became unbearable. With the help of a wealthy cousin and a motivated group of parents, everyone pitched in to get their children a bus for school. Reading this story, it reminded me of a quote that goes something like "It take a village to raise a child." All of the black children had to hike to school while the white children rode on buses and made fun of them. When parents decided to pitch in money, take on a second job, etc., it showed that it takes a community of caring people to make a change. On top of that, it all just starts with one little girl's vision of getting their own bus. The little girl's idea and dream became a reality, and it was all thanks to her community and family. ( )

Freddi Evans took Mable Jean's character to a new level in this book. She became a voice. She brought up the bus issue to all these adults and Cousin Smith made it happen. She knew that if she couldn't walk to school, then she would have to wait until next year. Her dad said that if he fought for a bus, they could loose their home, so Mable kept asking. She even asked her teacher. Finally, she realized Cousin Smith is the guy for the job; Cousin Smith brings a deal to the table. He would get the busses, but the parents of the children would have to be willing to pay for the bus rides. The town was willing to do that. One brave little girl stood up for what was right and didn't back down. ( )

This story is based on something that actually happened to the author's family in Madison,Mississippi.A girl named Mable Jean and her brother have to walk 5 miles to school each day along with other colored children. They have to watch the white children drive by in a bus to go to school. Mable Jean keeps getting hurt on the long walks and it makes going to school very hard for her. The children know once it gets cold they won't be able to attend school. Mable Jean asks her wealthy cousin to help get them a bus for school. He says he will help but they will have to pay a nickel to ride to cover the expenses. The family's take on extra little jobs to help make this possible for them. This story is very important to show kids. They need to know how things used to be and how far we have come. ( )

This book tells the story of how one girl’s request for a bus led to a town coming together to make it happen. White children had a bus already paid for by taxes, but black children had to walk five miles to a separate school. Mable Jean was young and often got hurt along the journey. After asking her cousin for a bus, things began to roll in the right in direction. ( )

Mabel Jean and all the other African American children who live 5 miles away from school are tired of not having a bus. The black community gets together and makes it happen for these kids. ( )