Bibliographic Data:
Bridges, Ruby. 1999. Through My Eyes. New York: Scholastic Press. ISBN 0590189239
Plot Summary:
In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges tells her story of courage as a six year old girl being integrated into an all white school in 1960. Photographs and quotes from the time accompany her amazing tale.
Critical Analysis:
Although Ruby Bridges could probably fill a book ten times as long as Through My Eyes with her story, the impact would doubtfully be as great. Children need to understand the truth of what happened during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960's, and without firsthand accounts like this, the information they will likely get will fill two paragraphs in a history textbook.
Even as an adult who knows what happened in the U.S. in the 1960's and has heard about the Little Rock Nine on countless occasions, this story was new and full of amazing and eye-opening details. One such detail was how the black kindergartners were tested by the New Orleans school board to see which, if any, should be allowed to attend white schools the next year. Ruby Bridges was one of five that passed the test, one of four to actually go on to a white school, and the only black student integrated into William Frantz Public School.
Large photographs of protesters, Federal Marshals escorting students into schools, Ruby and her teacher Mrs. Henry, and Ruby Bridges today accompany the story. Quotes from people in Ruby's life as well as famous figures of the time, such as John F. Kennedy, also appear throughout the book making connections to her story.
This social essay gives voice to a six year old girl that was given the chance to change the way the United States functioned. By 1961, her second grade year, the schools in New Orleans were integrated and there were no more protesters outside. Through My Eyes may be a quick snapshot of what happened in 1960, but it is telling in its simplicity. The emotions of a grown up little girl can truly open a readers eyes to the confusion, horror, and ultimately joy of this era in U.S. history.
Reviews:
Publishers Weekly "With heartbreaking understatement, she gives voice to her six-year-old self. Escorted on her first day by U.S. marshals, young Ruby was met by throngs of virulent protesters... Sepia-toned period photographs join the sidebars in rounding out Bridges' account. But Bridges' words, recalling a child's innocence and trust, are more vivid than even the best of the photos."
Library Journal "In her recounting of the events of 1960-61, the year she became the first African-American child to integrate the William Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans, Bridges is true to her childhood memories. She is clear about what she remembers and what she later learned. Her account is accompanied by excerpts from newspaper articles, comments by her teacher, and a time line that fill in the details and place her story within the context of the Civil Rights Movement."
Connections:
The Ruby Bridges Foundation
http://www.rubybridges.org/home.htm
The Story of Ruby Bridges is a picture book written by Robert Coles, a child psychiatrist that met with not only Ruby Bridges, but three other girls integrated into another white school and the few white children remaining in the two schools. This would be a good way to introduce younger readers to the Civil Rights Movement.
In Through My Eyes, Ruby Bridges writes about John Steinbeck's interest in the integration of elementary students in New Orleans. Steinbeck wrote Travels with Charley about her and the situation of integration.
Other Civil Rights Movement books that may interest students of various ages include Rosa Parks: My Story by Rosa Parks and Jim Haskins , Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, and Witness to Freedom: Young People Who Fought for Civil Rights by Belinda Rochelle.
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