Ruby Bridges

K-Gr 3--The acclaimed Magoon joins a long roster of stellar writers taking on impactful women for Clinton and Boiger's chapter book biography series. The strength of this narrative is not only the history of school integration it provides, but the perspective of the child who stood for all Black children seeking an equal education. Interior illustrations by Flint capture Ruby's point of view through two key moments depicted in each chapter. These pencil drawings break up the text and add interest to the narrative with so much detail that readers can even spot that Ruby is left-handed. Starting first grade is a milestone, and Ruby's experience, while unique, is also relatable. Riding in a big car to school, the giant men who surrounded her as she walked in, believing the crowds outside were a Madi Gras parade, and her loneliness in a classroom of one are described. The impact on her family and support of the community made being "brave" Ruby's job all year. Integrating her school became Bridges's identity as she gained an understanding of the significance of her experience and continues to represent the importance of equal education for all--persisting. A worthy compilation of resources and a list of how readers can stand up for equality is also included. VERDICT Given the more relatable perspective of starting first grade, this volume makes Bridges's story poignant for the intended audience. Start units about integration in schools with this book.--Janet S. Thompson, Chicago P.L.

Magoon writes a portrait of young Ruby Bridges in the latest of the 13-part She Persisted series. Readers meet the child Ruby Bridges as a hard worker, laboring with her family in Tylertown, Mississippi. They learn that despite that hard work, Bridges and her family remained in poverty due to pervasive injustice against Black Americans. Jim Crow segregation is rather simplistically summed up: "The worst part was the schools, water fountains, and seating areas for Black people were not as nice as the ones for white people." Though Ruby "was happy in her all-Black world," her parents, who could not read nor write, wanted Ruby to have an opportunity to receive an education, so they moved from the safety of the family farm to New Orleans. The author includes the continued injustice confronting the child in the form of a test designed to be too hard for Black students to pass. Despite this, Ruby was one of six Black students to gain admittance to the all-White William Frantz Elementary School. At 6, she single-handedly desegregated it. Flint's delicate grayscale illustrations depict several scenes from Bridges' heroic journey. Magoon describes the harsh reception meeting the first grader with great sensitivity. The story ends happily, with some positive changes occurring in Bridges' second grade year, the beginning of an ongoing legacy still relevant today. Bridges' voice, quoted from various sources, gives readers access to her own perspective. A context-offering complement to Bridges' own books for children. (Biography. 6-9) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Dear Reader, As Sally Ride and Marian Wright Edelman both powerfully said, "You can't be what you can't see." When Sally Ride said that, she meant that it was hard to dream of being an astronaut, like she was, or a doctor or an athlete or anything at all if you didn't see someone like you who already had lived that dream. She especially was talking about seeing women in jobs that historically were held by men. I wrote the first She Persisted and the books that came after it because I wanted young girls--and children of all genders--to see women who worked hard to live their dreams. And I wanted all of us to see examples of persistence in the face of different challenges to help inspire us in our own lives. I'm so thrilled now to partner with a sisterhood of writers to bring longer, more in-depth versions of these stories of women's persistence and achievement to readers. I hope you enjoy these chapter books as much as I do and find them inspiring and empowering. And remember: If anyone ever tells you no, if anyone ever says your voice isn't important or your dreams are too big, remember these women. They persisted and so should you. Warmly, Chelsea Clinton TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: From the Family Farm to the Big City Chapter 2: An Important Test Chapter 3: The First Day of School Chapter 4: A Classroom for One Chapter 5: Following Ruby's Lead Chapter 6: The Power of Children How You Can Persist References Chapter 1 From the Family Farm to the Big City When Ruby Bridges was born in 1954, her parents brought her home, full of hope that their daughter would grow up in a better world than they had. Little did they know how big a role Ruby herself would play in building that better world. Excerpted from She Persisted: Ruby Bridges by Kekla Magoon, Chelsea Clinton All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.