The Story of Ruby BridgesBased on the story written by Robert ColesPhotographs of illustrations by George Ford

Adapted text written by

Grade: 5

Keywords1. Janitor

2. Law

3. Proud

4. History

5. Courage

6. Prayed

7. President

8. Federal marshals

9. Wonder

10.Frightened

Images taken from Clip Art

Ruby was born in a

small town in

Mississippi. When her

Dad lost his job, her

family moved to the

city.

Ruby’s Dad found a job

as a janitor. Her Mom

took care of her and

her brothers and

sisters. They went to

church every Sunday.

In New Orleans, black and white children went to

different schools. That was not fair. A law was

passed to send Ruby to a white school.

Ruby’s parents were proud of her for getting

picked to be a part of an important time in

history. Her whole family prayed for courage.

An angry crowd of

white people were at

the school on Ruby’s

first day. The President

of the United States

sent federal marshals

to keep Ruby safe.

The same angry crowd

was at the school for

many weeks.

The white people in

the neighborhood

would not send their

children to school.

Mrs. Henry was Ruby’s

teacher.

Mrs. Henry would

wonder how Ruby

came to school when

people yelled at her in

the street. Ruby said

she was doing fine.

Mrs. Henry looked out

the window at Ruby

walking to school. She

saw Ruby stop. She

thought Ruby was

talking to the crowd.

The crowd looked

more mad than

before. The marshals

looked frightened.

They tried to make

Ruby hurry.

Mrs. Henry asked

Ruby what she was

doing. Ruby said she

was praying for the

crowd.

Every day before and

after school Ruby

asked God to forgive

the angry crowd.