Ruby Bridges Goes to School: My True Story (Scholastic Reader, Level 2)

I got this book for my second grader and kindergartener. The kids loved learning about Ruby! The story read beautifully. If anyone is hesitant about their being any hidden "political agenda" or "demonization" of a certain race or group of people. No need to be concerned. Ruby's does a great job narrating her experience in a way that kids can understand, appreciate and enjoy. It is a great introduction to teaching kids about some of the "ugly" parts of US history while still showing the beauty, resilience and strength of love and kindness. Through Ruby's resilience, strength and persistence to just be able to enjoy her childhood as all children should be able to. She shows how the same things that were important for kids in the past are still important today...(ie: a teacher to show them kindness and love, friends to play and grow with and a safe and inclusive learning environment. Ironically it was my kids that pointed that out. :) The love between her & her teacher Mrs.Henry was palpable. During a time when most everyone else "locally" involved in her education showed her anything but love,..the kindness & humanity of Mrs.Henry was,.. just,..well,.. beautiful. Ruby learned & thrived despite what was going on around her. It demonstrated the power of love in the midst of darkness. This would be a great book for black history month, women's history month, themes on character traits such as bravery, perseverance, resilience..the possibilities are endless. Not only did my second grader and kindergartener enjoy this book but I also enjoyed it. The kids seemed to really enjoy/ appreciate the "real" pictures in the book versus it being "illustrated" as a cartoon. They really enjoyed hearing Ruby tell her story. Seeing Ruby "grow up" and knowing that her story didn't just "end" with her childhood was something really special to them. My daughter even wanted to "go see" Ruby. :) It made her all the more real to them. It wasn't just another story in a sea of books that we've read. It is a great book for young readers and a great conversation starter on the history of segregation and the civil rights movement. I would definitely recommend this book!

I read this book, along with a few other books on Ruby Bridges, to my Girl Scout Daisy troop when they were studying for their “courage petal”. (I thought it made more sense to study a real girl who was an amazing example of courage than the GS story about an animated flower.). The girls enjoyed this book above others we read due to the real photographs and that it was Ruby telling her story. This book presented her story and the introduced the issue of segregation that 6 year olds could understand. Brave little girls can indeed change the world!

Got this book for my 3 yo old who I homeschool. She loved it and so did I. She can relate to the character because she loves to learn, play with everyone and enjoys school.

The book was easy enough for my child to read and understand. Clear pictures. She was able to summarize the book and use it for her black history month project

This is a book that every child should read. It gently teaches understanding, history and kindness. Thank you, Ruby Bridges, for sharing your story in such a positive, wonderful way.

Great story. My girls got an opportunity to meet Ruby. She is a charming woman, and great example. Very good story for kids of all ages and ethnic backgrounds. Demonstrates how the rule of law and determined people who stand up for what is right can change the culture, and continue to improve our great country. It also shows young girls and boys that standing up for what is right is hard to do, especially when many around you are disapproving, even violently opposed to you. But often the hardest things are the right things. And that there are good, decent people (in this example, teachers, federal marshals, judges, friends) who prevail when the (changed) law is on their side, even against norms of the time.

Ruby Ridges is a hero to me Perhaps at the time, she didn't fully understand what was happening or why. I have two minor issues with the book. One place she refers to the "white" school. It was not a white school. It was a school with only white children. Two. The book was too short. Did he ever suffer other forms of racism? She should have included those stories in the book. I plan to buy. Several for our local schools

Great book to introduce Pre-K students to Black History Month! They clearly understood the importance message of this book!