In November 1960, all of America watched as a tiny six-year-old black girl, surrounded by federal Marshall's, walked through a mob of screaming segregationists and into her school. An icon of the civil rights movement, Ruby Bridges chronicles each dramatic step of this pivotal event in history.
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Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com Review
Surrounded by federal marshals, 6-year-old Ruby Bridges became the first black student ever at the all-white William Frantz Public School in New Orleans, Louisiana, on November 14, 1960. Perhaps never had so much hatred been directed at so perfect a symbol of innocence--which makes it all the more remarkable that her memoir, simple in language and rich in history and sepia-toned photographs, is informed mainly by a sort of bewildered compassion. Throughout, readers will find quotes from newspapers of the time, family members, and teachers; sidebars illustrating how Ruby Bridges pops up in both John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley and a Norman Rockwell painting; and a fascinating update on Bridges's life and civil rights work. A personal, deeply moving historical documentary about a staggeringly courageous little girl at the center of events that already seem unbelievable. (Ages 6 and older) --Richard Farr
From Publishers Weekly
With Robert Coles's 1995 picture book, The Story of Ruby Bridges, and a Disney television movie, readers may feel they already know all about Bridges, who in 1960 was the first black child to attend a New Orleans public elementary school. But the account she gives here is freshly riveting. With heartbreaking understatement, she gives voice to her six-year-old self. Escorted on her first day by U.S. marshals, young Ruby was met by throngs of virulent protesters ("I thought maybe it was Mardi Gras... Mardi Gras was always noisy," she remembers). Her prose stays unnervingly true to the perspective of a child: "The policeman at the door and the crowd behind us made me think this was an important place. It must be college, I thought to myself." Inside, conditions were just as strange, if not as threatening. Ruby was kept in her own classroom, receiving one-on-one instruction from teacher Barbara Henry, a recent transplant from Boston. Sidebars containing statements from Henry and Bridges's mother, or excerpts from newspaper accounts and John Steinbeck's Travels with Charley, provide information and perspectives unavailable to Bridges as a child. As the year went on, Henry accidentally discovered the presence of other first graders, and she had to force the principal to send them into her classroom for part of the day (the principal refused to make the other white teachers educate a black child). Ironically, it was only when one of these children refused to play with Ruby ("My mama said not to because you're a nigger") that Ruby realized that "everything had happened because I was black.... It was all about the color of my skin." Sepia-toned period photographs join the sidebars in rounding out Bridges's account. But Bridges's words, recalling a child's innocence and trust, are more vivid than even the best of the photos. Like poetry or prayer, they melt the heart. Ages 8-12. (Sept.)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
33 of 34 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
This book is another reminder of the battles waged and obstacles faced by ordinary people during the Civil Rights struggles of the 1950s and 1960s. For those of us who were not there it really is difficult to imagine the intensity of the hatred that so many whites felt. It is disturbing to read of the vicious threats made and the horrible venom spewed at this little girl by adults who should have known better.
22 of 22 people found the following review helpful
By Lynn Plotkin
Format:Hardcover
This is a heart-wrenching story of a courageous little girl. These pages contain a story that should be included in every classroom library. It is a part of American history we must all be knowledgeable of and never forget. The pictures of this delightful sixyear old are wonderful. At the same time the frightening pictures of the protesters are difficult to look at and deal with the emotions they conjure up. This book is a great way to not only introduce a history lesson but also how segregation still exits today in our schools.
20 of 20 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Hardcover
A beautiful, moving book that captures the intensity of the south in the early 1960's. Sepia photos and Ruby's own words enable the reader to walk with her as she enters first grade in New Orleans: the first black student in an all-white school in 1961. Ruby's recollections of that year and her present-day thoughts about her early life are honest and memorable. This book will make for great reading for early adolescents and will be an important addition to classroom and library collections.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Ruby Bridges
What a great book! I really enjoyed it! Now my daughter is reading it and she likes it a lot!
Published 12 days ago by erica
5.0 out of 5 stars
Racism in America
I was born and raised in Louisiana, and as a young child like Ruby I was exposed to the issues of racism in America. Read more
Published 14 days ago by Karen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Customer Service - A+
The book is a great coffee table book. So many pictures of the happenings of this little girl. The book was in perfect shape and arrived well within the time projected.
Published 19 days ago by Nancy G. Rees
5.0 out of 5 stars
Lovely
Our 9 year old son and I were fascinated by this non fiction book. It is also beautifully illustrated. Loved seeing the photo of Ruby and her teacher when both were adults.
Published 1 month ago by Elizabeth Pankey-Warren
5.0 out of 5 stars
Education for my grand-daughter!
I sent the book to my grand-daughter who loves to read and she was so surprised that people had to go through what Ruby went through!
Published 1 month ago by MentorT
5.0 out of 5 stars
What About The Children?
It is not very often that we get historical facts from primary sources. In this book, we are privileged to have just that. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Grace Williamson
4.0 out of 5 stars
Great History Lesson for All Ages
Simply told so that a child may relate and understand, but also provides enough depth that it brings tears to an adult's eyes. Read more
Published 2 months ago by kates
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nice reflection
Ruby's recollections are delightful. A little tough to keep the attention of small children but still an important experience to share. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Great 2008
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great book
Great book that looks at desegregatioin through the eyes of an elementary school African American girl. There is a movie as well.
Published 4 months ago by Ambrose F. Duckett, III
5.0 out of 5 stars
Empowering!
Rudy Bridges write about the pioneers of school segregation like few others, in first person. She did an amazing job deciphering her feeling for the reader to the point where it... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Amber's Book Reviews
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