Ruth and the Green Book [School & Library Binding]

Calvin Alexander Ramsey (Author), Gwen Strauss (Author), Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2010 | Age Range: 6 and up | Lexile Measure: 810L (What's this?)

Ruth was so excited to take a trip in her family's new car! In the early 1950s, few African Americans could afford to buy cars, so this would be an adventure. But she soon found out that black travelers weren't treated very well in some towns. Many hotels and gas stations refused service to black people. Daddy was upset about something called Jim Crow laws...

Finally, a friendly attendant at a gas station showed Ruth's family The Green Book. It listed all of the places that would welcome black travelers. With this guidebook--and the kindness of strangers--Ruth could finally make a safe journey from Chicago to her grandma's house in Alabama.

Ruth's story is fiction, but The Green Book and its role in helping a generation of African American travelers avoid some of the indignities of Jim Crow are historical fact.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4–Ruth's father just bought a beautiful new 1952 Buick, making it a big day for this African-American family. They are going from Chicago to Alabama to visit Grandma. Ruth is very excited to be traveling, but the family encounters “whites only” restrooms, hotels, and restaurants along the way. It's very discouraging and sometimes scary, but they learn that some friendly faces may be found at local Esso stations, which are among the few franchises open to black businessmen. At a station near the Georgia border, they are introduced to Victor H. Green's The Negro Motorist Green Book, an early AAA guidebook of sorts that listed establishments or homes that would serve African Americans–be it for general services, housing, or meals. Ruth eventually becomes the Green Book specialist in the family, helping to guide them to an auto-repair shop or an inn that would welcome them. But, the best part of the trip is finally arriving at Grandma's, as illustrated by the loving expressions on all faces. A one-page concluding summary discusses the importance of The Green Book, which was in use from 1936-1964, when the Civil Rights Act was finally signed, banning racial discrimination. The realistic illustrations are done in oil wash on board, a self-described “subtractive process.” The picture is painted, then erased to “paint” the final product. Overall, there is a sepialike quality to the art, giving the impression of gazing at old color photos. This is an important addition to picture book collections, useful as a discussion-starter on Civil Rights or as a stand-alone story.–Roxanne Burg, Orange County Public Library, CAα(c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

From Booklist

In this powerful picture book, Atlanta playwright Ramsey tells a 1950s story from “unknown pages in African American history.” Cooper’s glowing, unframed, sepia-toned artwork delivers a strong sense of the period from a child’s viewpoint. Driving with her parents from Chicago to Grandma’s house in Alabama, Ruth is excited until the family is refused access to the restroom at a service station. They face more bitter realities of segregation when they sleep in the car because they are turned away from hotels. The double-page spreads show the hurt, anger, and scariness of the “No Vacancy” signs, but words and images also capture moments of peace, as Ruth sings and feels safe with her loving parents as they drive across the country. Then they are welcomed at an Esso station, where they get a copy of the pamphlet called The Negro Motorist Green Book, which lists places where black people are welcome. A joyful reunion with Grandma brings the book to a warm close. With a long final note about The Green Book, this is a compelling addition to U.S. history offerings. Grades 2-5. --Hazel Rochman

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 6 and up
  
• School & Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Carolrhoda Books (August 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0761352554
• ISBN-13: 978-0761352556
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.5 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #304,231 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Although the story is fictional, the Green Book and Jim Crow laws were not December 18, 2010

By Midwest Book Review

Format:School & Library Binding

"Ruth and the Green Book" tells the historically based story of how African American travelers in the USA avoided persecution, prejudice and danger by following advice about recommended service stations, restaurants, and places to stay called "The Negro Motorist Green Book." Written in 1936, the Green Book was sold at Esso stations, which were about the only stations that sold gas to African Americans until 1964. The story tells of a girl named Ruth who is making a trip with her family from Chicago to Alabama to visit her Grandma. Although the story is fictional, the Green Book and Jim Crow laws were not. "Ruth and the Green Book" is a needed addition to modern African American history that will appeal to children ages 7 and up. "Ruth and the Green Book" includes information about the history of the Green Book.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Solid story, beautifully illustrated September 16, 2010

By Time Will Tell...

Format:School & Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

For me, the illustrations in this book almost steal the show... they are magnificent and evocative!

Because it is not very long, at first I thought that the story would not be adequate to the task of exploring the "Green Book" theme.

But after reading it through, I realized that the story does touch on all the important points, and the author is simply using a judicious economy of words.

The story is all it needs to be, and strikes just the right tone, demonstrating how wrong segregation was from the level of basic humanity.

The book ends up packing quite a powerful punch, but in an understated way.

I'm looking forward to sharing this book with friends, both the old ones and the young ones, and recommending it to others.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars learning history October 14, 2010

By Ashley L. Sullivan

Format:School & Library Binding|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book is an "education" for young people who know nothing of the extreme predjudice that existed all over this country earlier in the 19th and 20th centuries. It is a warm, gentle story relating a cruel, hurtful time in our American history. A