Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges #1

Bridges, R. (1999). Through My Eyes. New York: Scholastic Press.

Grade Level

This book would be appropriate for second grade through eighth grade. Reading aloud would be more appropriate for the younger grades.

Curriculum Link

I would use this book in social studies instruction.

Author Credibility

Through My Eyes is an autobiography of Ruby Bridges` experiences during her first grade year as the only African American in her school. She experienced integration first-hand in the New Orleans school she attended in 1960.

Awards

2000 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award; 2000 Carter G. Woodson Book Award

Summary

At just six years old, Ruby Bridges was the only African American student to integrate the William Frantz Public School in 1960. This book recalls her vivid memories of the obstacles she faced during the Civil Rights Movement.

National/State Standards

Individuals, Groups, and Institutions and Civic Ideals and Practices are the social studies strands addressed by this book.


Illustrations/Graphics

The illustrations used in this book are black and white photographs from a variety of sources. These illustrations show Ruby’s first-hand experience as she integrated William Frantz Public School at the age of six.

Access Features

Access features in the book include a Dear Reader written by Harry Belafonte, a bar on many pages that gives excerpts from interviews and articles, a heading at the top of each two page spread, a timeline of major events during the Civil Rights Movement, and a section devoted to informing the reader about what Ruby is doing now as an adult.

Use in my Classroom

I would use this book to study Black History month in February and to study the Civil Rights Movement.



My Response

I really enjoyed reading this book! This book really captured what it was like as a young African American child being right there at the center of integration. It was an emotional read, but it shed light on how life was back then. It was very inspirational!!

Related Texts

If a Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport