The Story of Ruby Bridges

Written by Robert Coles

Illustrated by George Ford

Appropriate for grades 1-3

Genre: Biography

Have you ever felt like you did not belong? Have you ever been made fun of just because you look a little different than others around you? Well, the young Ruby Bridges was forced to face and overcome these issues every day.

The Story of Ruby Bridges takes place in 1960, when desegregation was ordered. Ruby Bridges and her family moved from Mississippi to New Orleans in search of a better life. When in New Orleans, a judge orders Ruby to attend first grade at William Frantz Elementary, an all white school. There, she was the only African American student. Every day for months, she was escorted by federal marshals through angry mobs and protesters. Furious white parents withdrew their children from the school and the brave Ruby Bridges had to learn her lessons with her teacher in an empty classroom and an empty building. It was not only her strength and braveness that got Ruby through each day, but it was also by her incredible moral spirit. She began every day with a prayer to God to forgive the protesters. "Please, God, try to forgive those people. Because even if they say those bad things, they don't know what they're doing." This extraordinary little girl has helped to shape our nation’s history and change worldwide views on segregation and discrimination.

Robert Coles tells this biography of Ruby Bridges as if it were a story. He uses real quotations from Ruby’s teacher in his retelling, making it more accurate and arousing. Even though it is told in story form, this biography is full of accurate details and facts surrounding Ruby’s experiences while attending William Frantz Elementary.

The illustrator, George Ford, uses affective watercolors mixed with acrylic ink to help capture and play up the feelings and emotions of the story. He uses mainly sepia tone shades, mostly browns and reds. These colors tend to help portray the warmth of family and community, an important theme of the book. It also helps to reflect Ruby’s moral courage and inner strength.

This is a great book to share with children because they love to hear about a young girl who was able to make such a huge change in the world. It inspires the class to stand up for what they know and believe is right. This book can be used to introduce many topics to the students, from bullying to acceptance, and the more pressing issues of segregation and the Civil Rights Movement.

Massachusetts ELA Frameworks

Key Ideas and Detail

Integration of Knowledge and Ideas