Blog #26 Through My Eyes

Blog #26

Through My Eyes
By Ruby Bridges
Photographs by various
Scholastic Inc.
2000
63 pages

Nonfiction

                I chose this nonfiction book because it depicts a firsthand account of a pivotal moment in the history of our nation. This is the story of the six-year old girl who was the first African American girl in her school. This story is told from a firsthand autobiographical view of that little girl as a grown woman. Ruby talks about the tension, innocence, and forgiveness she experience during that time in her life. 

                The illustrations in this book are photographs of the actual events of the story. They were taken and donated by many various people. Each photograph tells a story of its own while they all combine to support the story the Ruby tells. The style of the book is very formal. This reflects the seriousness of the issue that is addressed in the book. 

                I think this is a great book to introduce in the classroom during Black History Month to talk about how our schools and our country have changed since Ruby was a little girl. This book is most appropriate for middle to upper elementary but some parts could be segmented and read aloud to younger elementary students. Another way to use this book in the classroom is through a character education lesson about forgiving others even when it is difficult and they are wrong. This book was awarded  the 1999 Parents’ Choice Award; 2000 Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, and the 2000 Carter G. Woodson Book Award

Click on Ruby's name to go to her official website.