ANNOTATION

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.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

This is the true story of an extraordinary 6-year-old who helped shape history when she became the first African-American sent to first grade in an all white school. This moving book captures the courage of a little girl standing alone in the face of racism.

FROM THE CRITICS

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. (Feb.)

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

Ruby Bridges was six years old when she was chosen to be one of the first black children to enter the New Orleans school system. She became a focus for racial hatred and bitterness, but nothing could stop her from daily uttering a prayer of forgiveness for those who surrounded her with words of ill will.

Children's Literature - Jan Lieberman

This story tugs at our conscience as we read of 6-year-old Ruby who was the first black child to integrate an all white school in New Orleans in 1960. What hurdles she had to overcome as she faced mobs of angry whites hurling insults as she walked to school each day with the federal marshals. Maintaining dignity and courage throughout this ordeal, she set an example that will be remembered for all time. Touching illustrations portray the times and loneliness of Ruby. Update on Ruby: she is currently the parent coordinator at the same school she integrated!

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-Ruby Bridges was the first African American child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans in 1960. Coles tells the brief story of her daily walk past furious white adults, her time alone with her teacher in an otherwise empty classroom because white parents kept their children home, and the dramatic moment when she prays in front of the furious crowd for God to forgive them. An afterword explains that later in the school year, parents slowly began to send their children back to school and eventually the crowd dispersed. Although neither the text nor the realistic watercolors are notable, children will find the story of Ruby's courage and steadfastness inspiring. It has a strong religious element with a scene of Ruby's family in church, as well as the dramatic picture of Ruby praying, which will please readers who find too few references to religion in their books.-Kathleen Odean, Moses Brown School, Providence, RI