Through My Eyes

One of the hardest children books I have ever read. The difficulty was fathoming that what I was reading was historical fact. I was really touched by this powerful six year old girl who had to desegregate a white only school all by herself. It was such a wonderful book on adversity being triumphed

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by a child who actually had little knowledge the impact her actions were having on her country.

I would definitely use this book to teach middle readers about the difficulties that were faced during the Civil Rights Movement of the 60's or 20th Century American History.

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Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges
1. This nonfiction work is written as a narrative from Ruby Bridges’ personal perspective about the struggles she endured in New Orleans as one of the first black children to be integrated in Louisiana. Ruby discusses not only her personal experience, but how it

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relates to the greater issues of civil rights ensuing in both her state and nation. Sometimes Ruby’s understanding of issues as a first grader are vague in comparison to the reality of what was actually going on, but these understandings are what eventually shape her as she grew to womanhood. Also, from that adult mindset Rudy looks back to explain how and why she felt the way she did about things she did not quite comprehend at the time. Actual pictures, quotes from other people involved in Ruby’s situation, and clips from magazines enhance the story to bring the actual history to a vivid reality.
2. As a nonfiction book, this could couple just about any unit on civil rights. Students could compare the difference between Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry and Through my Eyes to discuss how the times in the South did or did not change between these two time periods. How are Civil Rights progressing or not progressing? Also, students could do mini research activities on other people mentioned or quoted in the book, such as John Steinbeck, Thurgood Marshall, and various presidents. How did all of these people combined working for a single goal make a difference? If one of them decided to back down how would it have been for Ruby? Show students the Norman Rockwell painting. How is the Ruby depicted here different for the same as the Ruby that she herself describes in Through my Eyes?
3. This book, though written as a true account, is very easy to become entranced with. The fact that such a story actually happened gives the reader even more incentive to keep reading. As Ruby tells her own story as a narrative ( instead of just a historical description that students are used to), the impact and significance of what happened to her becomes so much more pertinent. This is not a picture of a black girl walking to school with a blurb; it is a personal reflection of the emotions, pressures, and consequences of everything that her entire first grade year produced. Ruby Bridges makes an accurate historical event come alive, and the fact that she lived it and can attest to the personal effects of it makes the story even more amazing.

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Brave family to put their child in such a difficult situation. The family had tobear a lot of injustice for justice. Thankful there are families that would stand up for what is right.

This short book chronicles the hardships of school integration from the point of view of Ruby Bridges, the only black child to attend first grade at William Frantz public elementary school as a six-year-old in New Orleans in 1960. Told from Ruby's point of view, with the insights of adulthood, the

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book is also filled with quotes from other people involved in this story including her teacher and parents. The black and white photographs are powerful.

People surrounded the school in protest throughout the year. Teens chanted "Two, four, six, eight, we don't want to integrate. Eight, six, four, two, we don't want a chigeroo." White parents pulled their children from the school and at one point only three white children attended Frantz, which normally taught 576 pupils. Ruby wound up being the only child in her classroom for the entire school year and actually didn't know there were any other students for most of the year.

There are so many other details and small background stories, but I don't want to ruin the impact of this book. Just read it. I was angry, sad and proud all at the same time. What a courageous, amazing child/woman. I cried. I am crying again as I write this. And I cannot believe that F-ing racism still exists.

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Through My Eyes tells the story of the forced integration of white schools in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1960. Citizens and officials alike had defied federal orders to integrate arising from the seminal 1954 court case, Brown vs. The Board of Education. In 1956, 101 politicians in Congress (99

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Democrats and 2 Republicans) issued a document called "The Southern Manifesto," opposing the findings of the Brown decision. (Manifesto signers were from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.) The Southern Manifesto accused the Supreme Court of "clear abuse of judicial power." It further promised to use "all lawful means to bring about a reversal of this decision which is contrary to the Constitution and to prevent the use of force in its implementation." A federal court, however, finally ruled that New Orleans must integrate, beginning with the first grade. Thus in 1960, Ruby Bridges started school at William Frantz Elementary. Three other black children went to McDonogh Elementary. Ruby was alone at William Frantz.

Federal Marshals were required to escort Ruby safely to and from school and to guide her through the mobs of protestors. Whites pulled their children out of the school, and Ruby became the only pupil in her class supervised by a brave teacher from the North, Barbara Henry.

Daily mobs gathered and protesters hurled threats and racial epithets. Eventually, however, some of the whites started to return to the school, though Ruby was still kept apart from them. For the second grade, Ruby was able to be part of classroom full of students, including some other blacks.

Ironically, years later, through residential segregation, Frantz Elementary again became segregated, although now it is a "black" school rather than a "white" school.

Back in 1960, Yale legal scholar Charles Black (and one of the architects of the Brown court case) posed the question: "does segregation offend against equality?" He answered:

“…if a whole race of people finds itself confined within a system which is set up and continued for the very purpose of keeping it in an inferior station, and if the question is then solemnly propounded whether such a race is being treated 'equally,' I think we ought to exercise one of the sovereign prerogatives of philosophers - that of laughter.”

Ruby has devoted her adult life to telling her story in the hope that inner city schools can metamorphose into the learning centers they were meant to be when whites attended them. Her bravery as a little six-year-old girl has inspired people across the country.

Evaluation: Although this wonderful compendium of text and photographs is suggested for ages 8-10, I would change that to 8 and up. My husband and I both found it riveting and powerful. Highly recommended.

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I loved this book. Through My Eyes tells a great story based on history that is touching. This book tells a lot of background information about the historical time which supports the story. I think young readers who like history would love this book.

This is the story of a brave little girl that pioneered integration in a whites only school in the south. Students will learn about prejudice and segregation and then through the eyes of this little girl, they will see what it took to make a change. What a gift Ruby gives us, showing us what it

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felt like to do this, showing us the photos that make it real, and letting us know the little girl that lived through it all.

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Loved this book! A story about integration in the south and the strength and courage that little Ruby Bridges had to wake up each morning and attend an all white school. The book provided actual interviews from her family, teachers and presidents about integrations in the south public schools. I

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enjoyed learning about the facts that surrounded this turmoil in the 60's. This would be a great addition to include with curriculum about the civil rights movement in the US.

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This is a great book about Ruby Bridges, one of the first children to be integrated into the public school system in Louisiana. As we all know public schools in the past were segregated by race. In the 1960s a law was passed and children, starting with the lower grades, were integrated into public

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schools. This caused an uproar in the communities and it was often taken out on the children and their families. Ruby was one of the first children to be integrated and this book tells her story as a 5 year old simply trying to go to school.
I really enjoyed ready this from Ruby's perspective. Her memories of events brings a unique view to her story and really shows the impact of our actions. Her family went through so much in order to be strong and guide her through this and they all had a hard time.
I was amazed at her courage and at the ignorance of the people around her. I cannot believe that these events happened so late in this countries history. It is appalling and I could go on and on but I really enjoyed this book and the bit of perspective that it gave me on these events. I am glad that people like Ruby and her family stood up for their rights and continue to do so. I think this would be a very important book to read in a classroom.

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Ruby Bridges tells her tale of beginning school as a black 6 year old joining a white school and the experience through her child eyes at the time. She uses facts, her experience and pictures from the time to give the story of desegregation in the 1960's.

This is a great autobiographical story of Ruby Bridges who was a 6 year old girl who was chosen to be one of the first African American children to be integrated in the previously all white schools in Louisiana. The story gives a lot of background and historical side stories to really understand

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what was all going on back then, and the tale itself shows the innocence of the young girl who did not realize at the time that she was a part of such a big momentous occurrence, she was completely naive and oblivious to how much hatred and angst there was between blacks and whites in this country. I think this could be an important book to teach children about the persecution that the blacks in this country were put through and what one very brave little girl did to help change things for the better, because she served as an inspiration, in spite of all the ignorance surrounding her.

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This book is written by Ruby Bridges and tells of her experiences with integration. There are sections written by others who took part in that very important part of American history. There are many pictures and newspaper articles from that time as well.

Amazing story of Ruby Bridges the first black child escorted into a white school. Bridges tells the story from her childish perspective of the time. Includes many photos, news articles and quotes from family and others.

6 year old Rudy Bridges was in the middle of segregation when she was in school. She was a little black girl who wanted to learn and be in school, although the white parents did not want their children in a school with black. It talks about her trials she went through, but ended up staying in the

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classroom and learning.

I really enjoyed this book because it made me think of how children felt during the Civil War and segregation.

I would use this when talking about the Civil War and how children felt back then. I would also use this when dealing with students who fight over things and have them read this book together and see how Rudy felt when she was in the middle of all the fighting that was going on.

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This is a wonderful book told from the first person point of view of Ruby Bridges herself, the first girl to integrate into a white school. The power of this book is that it is written in Ruby's own words with her own memories, most of which are very innocent and misunderstanding of what is going

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on around her. The book has excellent real photographs of the events as well.

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A moving and personal documentary of a courageous little girl and her role in the civil rights movement. Told from her perspective with added historical information and photos from the time period. I learned more about this story than I had ever known before. A great way to bring that time period

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to life for young students. For ages 9 and up.

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Story told from the perspective of Ruby Bridges life through school integration. Ruby's story is truly valuable and heart wrenching. Beautiful pictures throughout the book.

This is a good example of an autobiography that is easy to understand. It has quotes from various family members, newspaper clips, and her teachers talk about her. The pictures were chosen well and go along with the story so kids can see an accurate visual to match what is being discussed.

This is a very important book and the United States is so fortunate to have such an intimate written piece documenting the experience of Ruby Bridges. Children and adults can take away understanding and meaning from this book. Throughout, other issues and important political players are introduced.

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This book would be a perfect springboard for exploring the civil rights movement and race relations. I appreciate that Bridges doesn't leave behind the reality that today, many schools are being virutually segregated again due to unequality and lasting discrimination. A very sould touching read.

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The story of Ruby Bridges is phenomenal. It is hard to do this story justice in a summary. Ruby tells the story of herself at the age of 6 with the help of family and friends. She recalls a pivotal moment in history that she herself lived through, when she was the first African-American child to go

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to Franz Elementary School at the time of integration. Her bravery and willingness to stand up in the face of racism makes for a truely powerful story. We are lucky to have her memories and words to record this event.

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This is a fantastic book to emphasize the significance of education and modern struggle to remain equal.

Great historical look at the Ruby Bridges story, told from her point of view, and with follow-up on her now. Great photographs!

A firsthand account of Ruby Bridges’ experience integrating into William Frantz Elementary in 1960. Full of photographs and perspectives from both Ruby and others involved, such as John Steinbeck, and Ruby’s teacher, Mrs. Barbara Henry. A compelling look at segregation and racism in our

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not-so-distant past.

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This book is a great history book on the integration of whites and blacks together in the public schools. The pictures are very realistic! Ruby Bridges tells about her own experiences as being the first student to be integrated. Great details, great facts and it keeps you wanting to know more!

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Perfect book to use with Black History Month.

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