The Story of Ruby Bridges

Author: Robert Coles
Illustrated by: George Ford
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Copyright Date: 1995
Number of Pages: 26
Reading Level: Ages 4-8





Summary
This picture book tells the story of Ruby Bridges. Ruby and her family are portrayed as very religious good black Americans. In 1960 a judge proclaimed that some black students could attend school with the white students at the white school. Ruby was one of the students that was selected. Evey day Ruby walked by an angry mob of white people that would yell and threaten her but Ruby was guarded by federal marshals that walked her into school every day. She was the only student in her classroom because the other kid's parents wouldn't let them go to school with a black girl. Ruby's teacher wondered at where her strength came from because Ruby didn't seem to be afraid of the people that hated her and she behaved like a regular kid despite everything that was going on. One day as Ruby was walking to the school she stopped near the crowd. The teacher wondered what she could possibly be saying to them. When she came into the classroom Ruby was asked what she said to them. Ruby proclaimed that she wasn't talking she was praying for them. At the end of the book it tells what happened later. Some white boys joined Ruby at the school because there parents were tired of the issue. The other parents were angry at first but eventually other children went back to school.

Personal response
I think that this was a very well written book considering the topic and the audience. The author was able to give enough information about the story without giving too much information, information that would not suit young children. The facts were accurate and the meaning was good. The soft watercolors and illustrations were very well done and helped the story.

Potential Problems
Parents who are anti-religious would not like this book because it is very religious in parts.

Recommended to...
I would recommend this to a teacher that is covering this period of time in his or her classroom.