The Story of Ruby Bridges

Title: The Story of Ruby Bridges
Author: Robert Coles
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Reading Level: Kindergarten and up
Pages: 25
Genre: Non-fiction picture book









Summary:

At the age of six, Ruby Bridges was sent to William Frantz Elementary School. She went to this school because it was an order from a judge. Ruby was a little black girl, and William Frantz Elementary School was for whites. It was a life changing decision, and not very many people were excited about it, especially white people. The Sunday before, all of Ruby's family prayed for her. When she went to school she there was a huge croud of white adults, and they were not happy. Ruby had a federal marshals escorting her from the people. They yelled at her and called her mean things, and had rude signs. However, Ruby contined into the school, but nobody was there. This happened every day. Miss. Hurley was her teacher and she would teach her just like a normal student, which she was. Miss. Hurley was amazed by Ruby's courage and her calmness. She wondered how she did it. One day she watched Ruby coming into the school, but she stopped on the stairs. Miss. Hurley could see the angry mob and Ruby's lips moving, and then she watched her continue into the school building. When she asked Ruby what she had said to the people, she replied that she hadn't talked to them, she had been praying. She said a prayer everyday, but she had forgotten that day until she was almost in the building. She would pray to God to forgive the people because they did not know what they were doing. She asked the Lord to forgive the people who said terrible things to her, just like he forgave the people who did terrible things to Him. Later in the year two white boys joined Ruby. By second grade the mobs stopped trying to get rid of her, and let all of their children attend school. This book tells the story of Ruby Bridges very well. However, it also depicts it very well. Each page has a full-sized picture to describe what is happening. I love the pictures because you can see all the emotion that is going on in everybody.

My Reaction:

I love this book. Partly because I love the story of Ruby Bridges. I mean, she was six and she stood up to everything that the world could throw at her. I think that is a great example of courage to kids as well as to adults.

Potential Problems:

There is a lot of racism in this book. Children might be upset by that, but it is what happened, and they need to know at some point.

Recommendations:

I recommend this book to everyone. It is important that we know the history of the world, especially the history of our nation. Ruby Bridges suffered a lot for her decisions, but look where it has led us know? I think we should all know this story, and it is great for little kids in this picture format.