The Lions Of Little Rock

Use these essay questions as writing and critical thinking exercises for all levels of writers, and to build their literary analysis skills by requiring textual references throughout the essay.

Differentiation Suggestion: For English learners or struggling writers, strategies that work well include graphic organizers, sentence frames or starters, group work, or oral responses.

Scaffolded Essay Questions

Student Prompt: Write a short (1-3 paragraph) response using one of the below bulleted outlines. Cite details from the text over the course of your response that serve as examples and support.

1. The title of the novel, The Lions of Little Rock, has multiple meanings in relation to the book.

• What are two to three of the various meanings of The Lions of Little Rock? (topic sentence)
• Give several examples from the text that explain each meaning of the title.
• In your concluding sentences, explain how the title connects to one or more of the major themes of the novel.

2. Many characters in the novel undergo personal transformations other than Marlee and Liz. Think of two other characters and describe how their attitudes change over the course of the novel

• Who are two characters that experience a personal transformation in the novel (other than Marlee and Liz)? (topic sentence)
• Provide examples from the text that prove how and why the characters transform.
• In your concluding sentence or sentences, explain how this connects to the theme of Transformative Relationships.

3. One of the themes of the novel is Learning to Speak Out. Speaking out is primarily viewed as an issue for Marlee, but she isn’t the only person who has difficulty speaking out.

• Who, aside from Marlee, has difficulty speaking out? (topic sentence)
• Provide at least three examples from the text that prove this character's difficulty with speaking out; also discuss how the character overcomes this difficulty.
• In your concluding sentences, explain why Learning to Speak Out is so important given the historical context of the novel.

Full Essay Assignments

Student Prompt: Write a structured and well-developed essay. Include a thesis statement, at least three main points supported by text details, and a conclusion.

1. At the beginning of the novel, it is evident Marlee has a special relationship with math. Marlee uses math for different purposes at different points in the story. Explain the different ways Marlee uses math. What are the different purposes of math to Marlee? Consider the ways Marlee teaches others to use math and how math changes the way Marlee interacts with people in the novel. Provide examples from the text that support your claims, and connect your ideas to a theme or theme(s) from the novel.

2. Liz and Marlee develop a quick friendship in the novel. In an essay, compare the characters of Liz and Marlee and explain what makes the girls friends. What about the differences in Liz and Marlee’s characters make their friendship possible? How do the girls help one another to become better? How do Marlee and Liz’s personalities differ? What are the weaknesses of Marlee and Liz? Provide examples from the text that support your claims and connect your ideas to a theme or theme(s) from the novel.

3. Entrenched belief systems are beliefs that are well-established and unlikely to change. Give examples of entrenched racism in 1958 Little Rock. In what ways are the residents resistant to change? What obstacles must be overcome to address racism in Little Rock? How do both Black and white residents support entrenched racism? Why are many afraid to change or to encourage change? Provide examples from the text that support your claims and connect your ideas to a theme or theme(s) from the novel.