Watts, author of the picture book Keepers, displays sure footing in this strong foray into middle-grade fiction, about a 12-year-old black girl from Virginia navigating significant life changes. Set over the course of a year starting in the summer of 1963, Watts’s epistolary novel consists of candid letters Kizzy writes to Miss Anderson, her soon-to-be teacher at a newly integrated public school, and journal entries addressed to her teacher during the school year. Kizzy is apprehensive about sharing a classroom with white students: she wears the hand-me-down dresses of one white girl, and another classmate is responsible for the accident that left her with a prominent facial scar. Prevalent racism threatens Kizzy’s aspirations, as well as those of her athletic older brother, but with help from within and without—as well as the support of her beloved border collie, Shag—Kizzy prevails, and does so triumphantly. Watts offers an evenhanded, insightful evocation of a turbulent time and of a girl’s perseverance, with Kizzy’s writing exposing both widespread prejudice and the determination and will that countered it. Ages 9–12. (Aug.)

Hurray for Kizzy Ann! This funny, no-bow, dirt-on-her-hands, dog-with-her girl will lead you through her unforgettable experience as one of the first black students at the integrated school in her Virginia town. Combining humor, modern history, and heart, Jeri Watts has created a lovely novel that is gentle, honest, and full of hope.
—Meg Medina, Ezra Jack Keats Award-winning author

KIZZY ANN STAMPS is a tender and captivating story set in rural Virginia in the early 1960s that speaks of courage, friendship, and the pursuit of one’s dream. I wept good and grateful tears throughout. Thank you, Jeri Watts.
—Gigi Amateau, author of "Come August, Come Freedom"

Through epistolary fiction, Jeri Watts conjures a reluctant yet headstrong heroine who has been scarred by racism. With her devoted dog, Shag, Kizzy Ann navigates the color line, confronts her nemesis, and conquers her own doubts. This child’s-eye view of 1960s school desegregation resonates with warmth and humanity.
—Carole Boston Weatherford, author of the NAACP Image Award winner "Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom"

This is a touching story with a sharp and insightful protagonist. One hopes that it will find its way into the hands of feisty girls looking for a strong role model.
—School Library Journal

Watts offers an evenhanded, insightful evocation of a turbulent time and of a girl’s perseverance, with Kizzy’s writing exposing both widespread prejudice and the determination and will that countered it.
—Publishers Weekly

Through Kizzy Ann’s letters to her teacher (from July 1963 to May 1964), Watts weaves a powerful story of strength and self-acceptance in the face of injustice... The vivid historical setting of this short and satisfying read will leave readers feeling they have experienced life in Kizzy Ann’s world.
—Kirkus Reviews

The novel is particularly strong at demonstrating how complicated the start of integration was for young people; while the schools were officially integrated, there were huge divides among the students, and tremendous inequality continued to permeate their school experience. The omnipresence of racism is also vividly depicted.
—Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

In her first offering for middle school, Watts has written a compelling tale that will educate young readers about this period of American history.
—Library Media Connection

A story full of adventure and laughs for anyone who has ever had to face down tough times.
—Discovery Girls

Gr 5–8—During the summer of 1963, 12-year-old Kizzy Ann begins a correspondence with the woman who will be her teacher at the newly integrated school in rural Virginia. The first-person narrative is told in the form of letters and later classroom journal entries directed towards Miss Anderson. Kizzy Ann, who has attended a one-room all black school, writes about her fear of integration and her frustrations as the year progresses. She also shares her tender feelings towards her beloved border collie, Shag. When some of the girls in her class inform her that blacks will never be allowed to enter a dog show, Kizzy is disheartened. However, she connects with a neighbor who helps her to take Shag's training to a whole new level and introduces her to the world of dog trials. Kizzy Ann is a sympathetic, sometimes humorous, hopeful girl who demonstrates courage and determination. Her voice is somewhat inconsistent, sometimes feeling much older than her 12 years. Quincy Tyler Bernstine convincingly voices Kizzy, adeptly capturing both the hope and fear she feels during her first year at the integrated school. She also provides unique voices for the other leading characters. While the telling takes on the feel of an adult reminiscing at times, that may be more a function of the story rather than the narrator. Fans of historical fiction or dogs will enjoy Watts's touching story (Candlewick, 2012).—Deanna Romriell, Salt Lake City Public Library, UT

Cranky, incredulous Kizzy is perfectly captured by narrator Quincy Bernstine. In 1964 the 12-year-old farm girl launches herself from a one-room black schoolhouse into a newly integrated school with real reference books and real racial animosity. Watts crams Kizzy’s letters and journaling with details of segregated life as Kizzy records her school year, which is highlighted by winning a spelling bee that she cannot attend since there are no accommodations for black students. Another plot element is her training of her beloved border collie, Shag, which leads to new friendships, one with a well-accented Scots mentor and another with a surly neighbor. The story is irresistible and educational. Even when Kizzy’s insights are a bit too wise, Bernstine keeps the pace and tone just right. D.P.D. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

With the abundance of stories about a boy and his dog, it's refreshing to see a tale of a girl and her dog. Outspoken Kizzy Ann Stamps is used to overcoming difficulties, from navigating the prejudice in her town to coping with the attention brought on by the scar on her right cheek. Now a new hurdle has arisen for Kizzy Ann: integration. Armed with a belief in facing problems head-on, Kizzy Ann writes to her new teacher, sharing that much of her strength comes from her extraordinary border collie, Shag. So Kizzy Ann is disheartened when she finds that Shag is ineligible to compete in dog shows. But hope unexpectedly comes in the form of neighbor Donald McKenna. Under his guidance, they train to enter a dog trial--a perfect choice for a "no-bow" girl and dog like Kizzy Ann and Shag...if Kizzy Ann can enter, despite the discrimination that would block her path. Through Kizzy Ann's letters to her teacher (from July 1963 to May 1964), Watts weaves a powerful story of strength and self-acceptance in the face of injustice. Though her introspective narration slips in and out of an adult voice, it always presents a strong, thoughtful and likable protagonist. The vivid historical setting of this short and satisfying read will leave readers feeling they have experienced life in Kizzy Ann's world. (Historical fiction. 9-12)