The Story of Ruby Bridges

Title: The Story of Ruby Bridges

Author: Robert Coles

Publisher: Scholastic

Date: 1998

Number of pages: 32 pages

Reading Level: Ages 4-9

Genre: Children's biography

Summary:  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. Here the author 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. In the end, with the order to integrate schools, Ruby kneels in prays in the depths of picketers in the streets, condemning her to death for walking through the school doors. Ruby shows bravery and leadership even as a 6 year old, and becomes a hero in history. 

My reaction: The wonderful paintings compliment the story very well. In fact, there is a mood of realism that is illustrated on each page. It makes the story that much more intense as the history unfolds before your eyes. I loved this book even in my younger years, as I did a book report on this children's story. I feel it offers children a direct look into a child's eyes, who is worthy of their praise and acknowledgment of heroic desire.

Potential Problems: Race, lack of acknowledgement of hurt and pain in regards to hatred and taunting. Didn't relay the emotion and physical struggles it has on the family and the nationality as a whole.

My recommendation: I think this story should be read-aloud in elementary classrooms. Lessons revolving around the effects of bullying should be shared to teach children that what Ruby did was brave and heroic, and that the hatred reflected by the general population is history, and should not be explored in society today. Especially within the school systems. May be a good opportunity for children to share experiences where someone has said something to or about them that has made them feel low. In doing this, each child will learn the extent of Ruby's sacrifice, and deed to society.