Through My Eyes

Title: Through My Eyes

Author: Ruby Bridges

Biography #2

Through My Eyes is the courageous tale of Ruby Bridges, one of the first African-American children to integrate into all white schools during the civil rights movement. Recounted by Ruby herself, the story was literally impossible to put down. I was so intrigued and inspired by her struggles and was in tears nearly the entire time. Reading about what this young girl went through and the horrendous things she had to hear and see every day was heartbreaking. In the same breath, it was so amazing to read about the kindness Ruby and her family received during their difficult time. Letters of encouragement and care packages arrived often; Ruby even received a letter from the former first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt.

Reading this book was especially important to me as a future educator because it really put things in perspective. Though we have come a long way, Ruby’s story isn’t so far in the past that it is no longer relevant. Even with integrated schools, some become highly segregated because of achievement gaps between rich and poor students as well as white and non-white students. I learned so much from reading this book and think children would too. I would use it for students in 4-6 grade and would recommend it to teachers to keep in their classroom library.