The Story Of Ruby Bridges [Hardcover]

Robert Coles (Author), George Ford (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1995 | Age Range: 4 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 730L (What's this?)

For months six-year-old Ruby Bridges must confront the hostility of white parents when she becomes the first African American girl to integrate Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Ruby Bridges was the sole African American child to attend a New Orleans elementary school after court-ordered desegregation in 1960. Noted research psychiatrist Coles tells how federal marshals escorted the intrepid six-year-old past angry crowds of white protestors thronging the school. Parents of the white students kept them home, and so Ruby "began learning how to read and write in an empty classroom, an empty building." Although there are disappointingly few words from Ruby herself, Coles's use of quotes from her teacher adds to the story's poignancy ("Sometimes I'd look at her and wonder how she did it.... How she went by those mobs and sat here all by herself and yet seemed so relaxed and comfortable"). The story has a rather abrupt ending; the concluding page reprints the prayer that Ruby said daily, asking God to forgive the protesters. Coles cursorily finishes the tale of Ruby's unsettling year in an afterword (two boys and then the rest of the students returned to school; the mobs dispersed by the time Ruby entered second grade). Ford (Bright Eyes, Brown Skin; Paul Robeson) contributes affecting watercolors that play up Ruby's moral courage. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Ages 5-9. Sustained by family and faith, one brave six-year-old child found the strength to walk alone through howling protesters and enter a whites-only school in New Orleans in 1960. Ruby Bridges did it every day for weeks that turned into months. The white parents withdrew their kids, and Ruby sat alone with her teacher in an empty classroom in an empty building and learned her lessons. Harvard professor Cole has written powerful adult books about children in crisis and about children's moral and political lives. Here he tells one girl's heroic story, part of the history of ordinary people who have changed the world. He tells it quietly, as an adult, and the simplicity is moving, though kids might want some indication of Ruby's personal experience, what it was like to be her. Ford's moving watercolor paintings mixed with acrylic ink are predominantly in sepia shades of brown and red. They capture the physical warmth of Ruby's family and community, the immense powers against her, and her shining inner strength. Hazel Rochman --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 4 - 8 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press; 1 edition (February 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0590572814
• ISBN-13: 978-0590572811
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.9 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #171,321 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Robert Coles is professor emeritus at Harvard University and the author of numerous books, including his series Children of Crisis, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize. He has also won a MacArthur Award, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, and a National Humanities Medal. He lives in Massachusetts.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars True story of courage in a six year old girl November 6, 1998

By "mgsantaana"

Format:Hardcover

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of Ruby Bridges, An Eye Opening Book April 11, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This moving book drew a first grade class closer together. October 4, 1997

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars An excellent history lesson for young children February 8, 2003

By D. Bell

Format:Hardcover

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Story of Ruby Bridges May 3, 2001

By Sharla Clack

Format:Hardcover

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.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book on Racial Prejudice February 15, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

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.