Lil Miss and The Divided Road: A Story About School Segregation in New Mexico

Inspired by a true story, Lil Miss and the Divided Road: A Story of School Segregation in New Mexico follows a young girl growing up in the farming community of Vado, New Mexico. Each day, Lil Miss walks to Paul Laurence Dunbar School, a small four-room school where Black children learned during a time when schools were separated by unfair laws. Although the school had older books and fewer supplies, Lil Miss and her classmates were surrounded by caring teachers, supportive families, and a community that believed deeply in the power of education. Together, they worked hard, asked important questions, and proved that big dreams can grow in even the smallest classrooms. This inspiring story introduces young readers to the history of school segregation in New Mexico and celebrates courage, determination, and the belief that every child deserves the chance to learn, belong, and succeed.