Customer Reviews

The Story Of Ruby Bridges

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Wonderful, powerful, humbling true story of Ruby Bridges, a six year old African American girl in 1960, sent to integrate an elementary school in New Orleans. Children of the 1990's will be speechless with astonishment when they come to understand the ugliness of racism. Ruby's calm perseverance, academic commitment, and gracious forgiveness are powerful lessons for all of us, parents as well as children. MUST READ FOR MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY. Ruby's story makes it all make sense.

The Story of Ruby Bridges Written by Robert Cole

Robert Coleengages readers in a surprisingly emotional book. Though short,"The Story of Ruby Bridges" is amazingly eye opening and introduces readers to the perils of a major event in history. In this case, the event is an account of a small girl's battle against overt racism in New Orleans. Young and old readers alike can benefit from the lessons learned in this story, though hints of violence, and strong religious ties may not be appropriate in certain situations. In spite of this, the author relates true facts only, and does not directly preach controversially in this book. Down to earth reality helps to rule out ideas that may upset people and keeps the story interesting and educational. Thus, the book can be used as a prime tool for learning about segregation in classrooms and even homes. The strong lesson that is carried throughout this book is that believing in yourself can get you anywhere. Ruby may have been a tiny six year old, but she changed the course of history for all generations to follow hers. The use of real quotes like this one from her teacher, "Sometimes I'd look at her and wonder how she did it," helped to add mood and interest to the story line, while giving the reader an insight into actual happenings. Robert Cole definitely knows how to weave creative writing and history together in a way that can teach kids while entertaining them at the same time. In closing, "The Story of Ruby Bridges" can teach readers more through the main character's true emotions than any textbook ever could.

As a first grade teacher, I read this book with my students. We talked about how it must have felt to be Ruby, to have adults screaming at you, to be the only child in school. We talked about how lucky we are that everyone can be together in our class and ended with a group hug. The first graders wrote a touching letter to Ruby and are eagerly awaiting a reply from her. This book allowed my students to understand racial tensions from another 6 year old's point of view.

I teach Kindergarten in New York City. My students sat totally engrossed as I read the story of Ruby Bridge's struggle to gain an education in New Orleans, Louisiana.

After I finished the story they asked to hear it again. My five year students actually had a sophistated discussion about the moral wrongs of Ruby's experience. To quote one little boy, "But that's not right. It doesn't matter what someone looks like, they should be able to go to school."

My students totally got it! In January we learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. and they instantly connected the Civil Rights struggle lead by King to Ruby's experience of going to an integrated school. They also learned the value of education. It was an awesome experience.

I highly recommend this book to anyone with children or works with children.

This is a great book for facilitating what African-Americans had to go through in oreder to go to a white, segregated school. This will help children to understand the present as well. It helps them to understand why there is still such a problem with racism. Ruby, the first black child to attend a segregated school, sets a great example for children to follow. The text is easy to read throughout, offering the viewpoint of Ruby's mom and teacher. Also, the watercolor illustrations would hold a child's attention. They are very lifelike and a lot of different colors are used. Ruby is always wearing something pink or red, which helps her stick out as a main character. Moreover, the illustrations depict the characters' emotions very well and this will help with the child's understanding of the book and the struggle that Ruby had to go through. Ruby is shown to have both strengths and weaknesses. However, her strengths outweigh her weaknesses. She is only frusterated when the crowd of angry people are shouting over her prayer for them. However, this still makes her believable. She is an extremely brave six-year-old, for facing the infuriated mob everyday to attend school. This is an excellent book for younger children.

Short Synopsis: Young Ruby Bridges is ordered by a judge in 1960 to attend William Franz Elementary School. She is the first African American to attend the school. A mob gathers to shout racial insults at Ruby on her first day at school. Marshals accompany Ruby to school for months as crowds gather daily to protest. Ruby is taught alone by Mrs. Henry as white children are pulled out of school. The story ends with Ruby praying for the forgiveness of those who are persecuting her.
Critical Review: This is an excellent historical story about a young girl's determination and love. Students will see how hurtful racial prejudice is, and will better understand what African Americans went through at this time in history. The book is illustrated by George Ford. The pictures are large an bright. The colors are beautiful. The eyes of Ruby follow along so well with the story. They seem to paint a picture of Ruby's soul.
Curriculum Connections: This book fits into my social studies curriculum. I use it while studying the history of the southeast. It also fits in well with units on civil rights and famous African Americans.

Every parent who wants to raise a child with as much preparation for life as possible should read this story. It was her mother who taught Ruby to hold her head up, to go forward, to restrain from retaliation and to face a level and circumstance of opposition that most adults, of whatever background, have never faced. And she did it. Behind every child there needs to be such a person as this mother. Shrinking back or exploding would have been easier in their situation, but Ruby's story is known today because a better and more lasting way was instilled in her and followed. We use the word "courage" loosely today. This story brings it back to its giant proportions. A child seized a historic time of opportunity, and denied ruthless evil its assumed victory.

The story of Ruby Bridges is a beautiful tale depicting the courage of six year
old Ruby Bridges and how she became the first black child to segregate the
elementary school system in New Orleans, Louisiana. Her story is one of hope
and encouragement to not only African Americans but also to the entire human
race. It teaches perseverance, forgiveness, and hope and should be read by all
to give insight into our history.

As for the illustrations, George Ford used watercolor paints mixed with acrylic
inks and conventional drawing inks to create images that are beautiful and so
real looking they're life-like.

Kudos to both author and illustrator on a job well done. I look forward to
sharing this book with family, friends, and my own children.

Reviewed by Tee C. Royal
The RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

This is a great telling of the story of Ruby Bridges, the first African American child to attend an all-white New Orleans school. The book does a very good job of explaining on a child's level, what Ruby went through and why. The book was written by a child psychiatrist who witnessed her going into school and being shouted at by the angry mob and met with to allow her an outlet for her fears and feelings.

Don't give too much credence to the reviewer who slammed the book because of the "pointless" religious scene. The mentions of religion are not pointless because faith is what helped Ruby and her family through this difficult time...faith in God was part of who they were. Furthermore, although the book doesn't directly go into gory details about the things that were said to and about Ruby, it clearly explains that the whites didn't want their children in school with Ruby and why. No book is going to answer all a child's questions on any subject, but this one is a great way to open up the lines of communication and a great way to introduce the subject.

An interesting side note: According to Ruby Bridges web site, Mrs. Henry, her beloved teacher, was not rehired by William Franz elementary school the following year. One must assume that her loving care of Ruby and her refusal to subscribe to the racist views made her unwelcome.

This book is about a black girl named Ruby who goes to a white school and the white people didn't want her in the school.

The white police woudn't help her so the Federal Marshals had to. When she went to school she was gaurded by the marshals who carried guns.

The white people called her names. But she prays for them.

I like this book because it has a happy ending and it is a true story. It is about the white people and the black people before they went to the same schools.