I Am Ruby Bridges

by Ruby Bridges (Author) Nikkolas Smith (Illustrator)

I Am Ruby Bridges
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Ruby Bridges tells her story as never before and shares the events of the momentous day in 1960 when Ruby became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Franz Elementary as a six year old little girl -- a personal and intimate look through a child's lens at a landmark moment in our Civil Rights history.

My work will be precious.

I will bridge the gap between Black & white......and hopefully all people!

I suppose some things in life are just meant to be.

When Ruby Bridges was six years old, she became the first Black child to integrate the all-white William Frantz Elementary in Louisiana. Based on the pivotal events that happened in 1960 and told from her point of view, this is a poetic reflection on her experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the Civil Rights movement.

I Am Ruby Bridges offers hope and confidence to all children. It is the perfect learning tool for schools and libraries to teach the story of Ruby Bridges and introduce this landmark story to young readers in a powerful new way. This story of innocence and courage is brought to life by NAACP-nominated artist, Nikkolas Smith through stunning and breath-taking illustrations. Embracing the meaning of her name, Bridges reflects with poignancy and heart on the way one brave little girl stood proud to help build a bridge between all people and pave the path for future generations.

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Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus Reviews

A unique angle on a watershed moment in the civil rights era.

School Library Journal

Starred Review

K-Gr 2--Autobiographies for young elementary students are a rare find. This jewel of a book, written by a Civil Rights icon and engagingly illustrated by Smith, transports young audiences to Bridges's own thinking and experience as she recalls her six-year-old self. As a child, Bridges was curious about so much and had a sense of what world events were going on around her. As narrator, Bridges does not break a child's perspective and keeps her voice true as she notices but doesn't explain the momentous change she was a part of. What mattered to her was going to school and making new friends. While there are many titles available that celebrate Bridges, this title soars with the voice of a hero recalling her own childhood and honoring the children who will read this story. VERDICT Any picture book collection tackling the Civil Rights Movement has to start here. Highly recommended for all shelves, this exemplary title for history and biography collections shows how the events of the world impact our youngest citizens.--John Scott

Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Praise for Through My Eyes:

"Compelling." — School Library Journal

"Bridges's words, recalling a child's innocence and trust, are more vivid than even the best of the photos. Like poetry or prayer, they melt the heart." — Publishers Weekly

Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges is a civil rights icon, activist, author, and speaker who at the age of six was the first Black student to integrate an all-white elementary school in Louisiana. Bridges is the recipient of numerous awards, including the NAACP Martin Luther King Award, the Presidential Citizens Medal, and honorary doctorate degrees from Connecticut College, College of New Rochelle, Columbia University Teachers College, and Tulane University. Bridges is also the author of I Am Ruby Bridges, Through My Eyes, and This Is Your Time. Ruby lives in Louisiana with her family.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781338753882
Lexile Measure
600
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Orchard Books
Publication date
September 20, 2022
Series
-
BISAC categories
JNF018010 - Juvenile Nonfiction | People & Places | United States - African-American
JNF053140 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Social Topics | Prejudice & Racism
JNF007110 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Social Activists
JNF025210 - Juvenile Nonfiction | History | United States/20th Century
JNF050000 - Juvenile Nonfiction | School & Education
Library of Congress categories
African Americans
New Orleans (La.)
Race relations
Louisiana
African American children
New Orleans
School integration
Bridges, Ruby

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