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Let's Read About... Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges was born during the time of segregation in the South. In 1960, she made history when she attended an all-white school. Follow her story and learn why we still celebrate her courage today.
29 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
1 person is currently reading
130 people want to read
About the author
Ruby Bridges
10 books139 followersRuby Nell Bridges Hall is an American civil rights activist. She was the first African-American child to desegregate the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana during the New Orleans school desegregation crisis on November 14, 1960.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
January 31, 2020
I like Ruby Bridges because she's brave.
April 16, 2018
Children's Biography Non-Fiction
Bridges, Ruby and Grace Maccarone. Let’s Read About…Ruby Bridges (2002). Scholastic’s First Biographies series are nonfiction books geared towards younger children grades kindergarten through second. Bridges and Maccarone collaborate to bring the Ruby Bridges life story to the hands of young children. Ruby Bridges is the first African American child to attend an all white school during a time of segregation. This book sets the tone and setting of the era by including snapshots of how African Americans are treated (i.e., not allowed to live in white neighborhoods and/or not sharing water fountains). Ruby Bridges continues attending the school despite other children and parents ostracizing her because of the color of her skin. Her story sends the clear message of kindness, courage and a hope for a better world because she persevered. The words are largely written and sparsely used to appeal to younger readers. Terms like “segregation” are clearly defined for the younger readers through both text and illustration. Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu do a wonderful job on the illustrations. They are portrayed through muted water colors. Emotion is clearly felt through the character’s depicted facial expressions and body language. Even struggling readers are able to grasp the complexity of this concept and the emotion behind her struggle through the visual representations. This series is a good springboard into biographical accounts for younger/struggling readers.
Bridges, Ruby and Grace Maccarone. Let’s Read About…Ruby Bridges (2002). Scholastic’s First Biographies series are nonfiction books geared towards younger children grades kindergarten through second. Bridges and Maccarone collaborate to bring the Ruby Bridges life story to the hands of young children. Ruby Bridges is the first African American child to attend an all white school during a time of segregation. This book sets the tone and setting of the era by including snapshots of how African Americans are treated (i.e., not allowed to live in white neighborhoods and/or not sharing water fountains). Ruby Bridges continues attending the school despite other children and parents ostracizing her because of the color of her skin. Her story sends the clear message of kindness, courage and a hope for a better world because she persevered. The words are largely written and sparsely used to appeal to younger readers. Terms like “segregation” are clearly defined for the younger readers through both text and illustration. Cornelius Van Wright and Ying-Hwa Hu do a wonderful job on the illustrations. They are portrayed through muted water colors. Emotion is clearly felt through the character’s depicted facial expressions and body language. Even struggling readers are able to grasp the complexity of this concept and the emotion behind her struggle through the visual representations. This series is a good springboard into biographical accounts for younger/struggling readers.
December 6, 2018
Love this book, it teaches about the history of segregation and how it was overcome in a simple and easy to understand way.
April 1, 2021
Amazing how they got so many important ideas expressed so concisely for children still learning how to read. I like the art, too. Recommended.
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May 2, 2021Grades k-2
Level 490L
This is a biography about Rudy Bridges.
Level 490L
This is a biography about Rudy Bridges.
August 2, 2025
Great First Biography about Ruby Bridges I Love this Story ..
March 4, 2013
Summary:
This book tells the story of Ruby Bridges. It is fairly general, but gives good information for young children. It goes through how Ruby went to the white school that was closer to her home than the black school that she was attending. It tells how she stayed in the school even after all the other students left and how they eventually became friends. It is a very good book to introduce children to the history of civil rights and segregation.
Response:
I like this book because I am very interested in the history of segregation. I think it is great to have such an easy-read biography for children to dip their feet in this huge part of history. The story, as well as the illustrations, gives children a good idea about what life might have been like during that time.
This biography sends a very strong message of equality. Children at this age probably do not realize that black and white children going to school together was ever an issue. As they go through school they will learn how intense it got, but for the time being, it is a great book to introduce it.
Classroom Connection:
This book can be used to teach children about segregation and civil rights. I would use it as a class reading lesson. Each child would get a copy and take turns reading it, or even get into small groups to read it. Children could also use it as a resource for a project on civil rights. Another idea for students would be to write how they would have treated Ruby if they went to school with her.
Text Complexity:
This book has an interest level of K-2. I find that to be an appropriate grade. The grade equivalent is 2.4 and the Lexile measure is 420. I believe that children grades 2+ would be able to read this independently because of some of the bigger words. (I.e. government, segregation)
This book tells the story of Ruby Bridges. It is fairly general, but gives good information for young children. It goes through how Ruby went to the white school that was closer to her home than the black school that she was attending. It tells how she stayed in the school even after all the other students left and how they eventually became friends. It is a very good book to introduce children to the history of civil rights and segregation.
Response:
I like this book because I am very interested in the history of segregation. I think it is great to have such an easy-read biography for children to dip their feet in this huge part of history. The story, as well as the illustrations, gives children a good idea about what life might have been like during that time.
This biography sends a very strong message of equality. Children at this age probably do not realize that black and white children going to school together was ever an issue. As they go through school they will learn how intense it got, but for the time being, it is a great book to introduce it.
Classroom Connection:
This book can be used to teach children about segregation and civil rights. I would use it as a class reading lesson. Each child would get a copy and take turns reading it, or even get into small groups to read it. Children could also use it as a resource for a project on civil rights. Another idea for students would be to write how they would have treated Ruby if they went to school with her.
Text Complexity:
This book has an interest level of K-2. I find that to be an appropriate grade. The grade equivalent is 2.4 and the Lexile measure is 420. I believe that children grades 2+ would be able to read this independently because of some of the bigger words. (I.e. government, segregation)
February 6, 2013
Let's Read About-- Ruby Bridges is a great story about the hardships African-American people had to endure to overcome the hurdles that led to segregation. The story talks about Ruby's struggles when she was chosen to be the first African-American child to be segregated in an all white school. This is a great nonfictional book that helps introduce biographies to beginning readers. It can also help introduce the struggles African American people had to endure before segregation was introduced. Let's Read About-- Ruby Bridges is a great book that can be used during Black History month. Overall, it was a great book. I look forward to using it again in the future.
December 15, 2015
All the "Let's Read About' books in this series have been wonderfully written and often (like this one) written by the person it's about. Written in a way that young readers-listeners can understand but not so 'simple' that the storyline and importance of that person's life is lost.
April 2, 2010
Use with Racial Prejudice Unit.
March 18, 2011
This is a non-fictional book that tells the story behind Ruby Bridges. Children are able to read it quickly and learn a little more about black historians. It can be used in homes and classrooms.
August 23, 2013
Love the pictures. Great book for children about Ruby Bridges and the Civil Rights Movement.
April 20, 2015
Very basic information for young readers. This books covers segregation and how Ruby Bridges attended an all white school.
November 21, 2016
This book is very well written. It is written in a manor that is appropriate for younger children. It teaches children about our history but not in a violent way.
October 18, 2016
This book is not what I expected. The story was a biography about an older time. I feel like it was not relatable due to time difference.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews