The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles

This non-fiction book details the story of an extraordinary girl! Ruby Bridges was born in Tylertown, Mississippi. Her father worked on a farm picking cotton. However, when the farmer invested in machines to pick the cotton, Ruby’s father lost his job. Her family relocated to New Orleans. There, white children and black children went to separate schools. But one day, a judge selected several black children to attend some of the white schools in the community. Ruby Bridges was one of the children the judge selected to take place in this historical event. Everyday, Ruby Bridges faced discrimination and prejudice. However, she found it in her heart to forgive people for the mean things they said and prayed that God would forgive them one day as well. I believe this book could be used in a lesson to integrate Social Studies and Reading instruction. This book would help give students an understanding of communities and schools in the past. I also believe that this book could be used to share with students the importance of forgiveness.