White Water by Michael S. Bandy and Eric Stein

In the segregated southern United States, Michael and his grandmother walk in the scorching heat to the bus stop. They sit down on an empty bench. When a white woman and her son arrive moments later, Michael and his grandmother stand up and allow them to use the bench.

In town, Michael runs to a water fountain marked “COLORED” and gulps down the rusty-tasting water. The other boy drinks at the fountain marked “WHITE.” Michael is convinced that the “white” water is far better than the water he drank. Later, in a shocking epiphany, he learns that one pipe feeds both fountains.

Based on author Michael Bandy’s life, White Water vividly and age-sensitively shows the detrimental effects of racism as well as a paradigm shift that freed one child from its lies. (Candlewick Press)