About This Book

On November 14, 1960, a tiny, six-year-old black child, surrounded by federal marshals, walked through a mob of screaming segregationists and into her school. From where she sat in the school's office, Ruby Bridges could see parents marching through the halls and taking their children out of classrooms. The next day, Ruby courageously walked through the angry mob once again and into a school where, this time, she saw no other students. The white children did not go to school that day, and they wouldn't go to school for many days to come. Surrounded by racial turmoil, Ruby, the only student in a classroom headed by one wonderful teacher, learned to read and add.

This is the story of a pivotal event in history related here as Ruby Bridges saw it unfold around her. Ruby's poignant words, quotations from writers and from other adults who observed her, along with dramatic photographs recreate an amazing story of innocence, courage, and forgiveness. Ruby Bridges' story is an inspiration to us all.

Read a Scholastic News interview with Ruby Bridges.

Read the 25 winning essays for the Thank You, Ruby Bridges contest.