Yesterday marked an important day in our history. On November 14, 1960, a sweet little girl in Louisiana became the first African American student to enter (and enroll and learn and endure) the all-white William Frantz Elementary School during the New Orleans school segregation crisis.
I saw that Ruby’s new book was going to be released and wanted to educate myself and my kiddos about this important day. Not just because it will mark 60 years to the day that this brave student did the unthinkable. Not just because this darling child kept going back, day-in and day-out while white people screamed at her, spit at her, hurled insults at her. But also because we are still in a very bad place with race relations, with understanding, with assumptions, with the respect every human being deserves. It feels like perhaps we’ve made strides and equality laws have been put in place, but it seems like people’s mindsets are still not evolved from the days of slavery in this country. 💔
Take a look at these books and tell me that you don’t just immediately break in pieces because this hero had more courage in her tiny body than I think I ever will.
Littles
Ruby Head High by Irene Cohen-Janca
The Story of Ruby Bridges by Dr. Robert Coles
Emerging Reader
Ruby Bridges Goes to School – My True Story by Ruby Bridges
Ruby Bridges by Madeline Donaldson
Children in the Civil Rights Era by Sheila Llanas
Middle Grade
Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
Here is Ruby’s newest book, This Is Your Time. It just arrived to our house, but I haven’t cracked it yet. I thought this date in history was too special to wait for me to finish her book before I posted.
Other books that speak to segregation and Jim Crow laws that hit me hard. DEFINITELY worth reading!
