By Robert Coles
Illustrated by George Ford
Copy write 1995
This book is about Ruby Bridges who was one of the first black girls out of four that was picked to attend an all white school in 1960. Ruby didn't let any of the negativity affect her from continuing go to William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans..
Ruby Bridges was a brave 6 year old that was faced with racism and segregation. Its sad, but in that generation there was so much discrimination and blacks and how they were treated. Ruby and her family knew that giving up wasn't a choice.
"Though I did not know it then, nor would I come to realize it for many years, what transpired in the fall of 1960 in New Orleans would forever change my life and help shape the nation. When I think since on that time and all that has occurred since, I realized a lot has changed. I also know there is so much more to be done. That fateful walk to school began a journey, and we must work together to continue moving forward" Ruby Bridge ( rubybridge.com 2013)
Ruby had the wisdom and power to continue going to school everyday even through there were no other children there due to their parents didn't want them to go to school with black children. Ruby didn't have anyone to learn with, play on the playground or have lunch with, But she still went everyday.
Dr Robert Cole is a child psychiatrist who has worked with young people. He would be on the inside of Ruby Bridges story because he was one of the marshals that walked her to school everyday to make sure she was safe. He focuses on books about young children when he writes. (Wikipedia.org)
George Ford has illustrated over 30 books for children including Jamal's Busy Day, Bright Eyes, Brown Skin; Afro-Bets First Book About Africa and Baby Jesus, Like My Brother. The first winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration, for the book, Ray Charles, (justbooks.BlogSpot.com may 2011)The illustrations are differently stereotyped with white people holding up sign "white only" (page 10). They would call Ruby names, some of them wanted to hurt her. They protest for months and didn't let their own children attend the school with Ruby.
I like this book, it shows the way society was in the 60's from what I was taught as a child it was like that. Ruby Bridge was a strong young lady that stood up for what she believes that was right. I also feel very strong about that. I would recommend this book for school-age kids so they know that life was a lot different back than.
In 1998 there was a movie about Ruby Bridge. The reviews were very good everyone thinks it was well produced. Most people were teachers that showed the film to there students and had a positive response to it. (amazon.com)
The reviews on this book are powerful a lot of people love this book and what the meaning behind it was. They continue to encourage their children and students to stand up for your personal rights and never let other people defeat you. ( Goodread.com)
This story represents "Role of women" Ruby was a young girl that knew if she went to William Frantz Elementary school she would get the best education. She went to school everyday and showed that no one can stop her. I think if the roles were revered and a young boys was put in that situation it was be the same. ( 10 quick ways to analyze)
References
Ruby Bridges (2013)
Wikipedia (2011)
Justbooks.BlogSpot.com (2011)
10 quick ways to analyze
Amazon.com
Goodread.com
