Robert Coles, Illustrated by George Ford
Scholastic Press, 1995
Pages: 32
Reading level: 4-8
Genre: Biography
This book is the true story about a girl named Ruby Bridges. Ruby Bridges was 6 years old when the court ordered desegregation in schools. Ruby was one of four children chosen to go to the previously all-white school. The other three went to the other nearby elementary school, while Ruby went by herself to another elementary school. Everyday she would walk with federal marshals to school. They protected her from all the mobs that gathered outside of the school everyday. Ruby was threatened many times, but managed to keep a brave face. Ruby went to school by herself. All the other boys and girl's parents took them out of school as a protest against Ruby being there. All the teachers except one left too. That one remaining teacher, who was from the North, agreed to teach Ruby Bridges. One day on her way to class, Ruby stopped on the fronts steps of the building. She was saying a prayer that God would forgive all the people. This made the people very mad. When her teacher asked her why she stopped, Ruby replied that she prayed every day, but had forgotten this morning until she got to the steps of the building. The next year, parents were tired of keeping their children home without an education. They realized that their children were the only ones being hurt by them not going to school. Eventually, the students and teachers came back, and the mobs dissipated.
I think that EVERYONE should read this book, not just children. This book would be good for adults too. It teaches tolerance and acceptance, which everyone needs to know.
This book could make children angry about how Ruby Bridges was treated by the white people.
My reaction: This book is wonderful. It teaches a great lesson, and the pictures are beautiful!
My Rating: *****
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