Ruth and the Green Book is a fictional tale about a real book. The story takes place during the 1950s, a time in which Americans started to travel more and more due to newly built highways and freeways. And excited young girl named, Ruth and her family set out to travel from their home in Chicago to Alabama in her father’s 1952 Buick. As the family travels further south Ruth realizes that her family and so many others are not welcomed to many “whites only” hotels and gas stations due to the color of their skin. Ruth’s father eventually gets The Negro Motorist Green Book which lists the names and addresses of negro friendly hotels and gas stations and their family safely arrives to Alabama.
Although this particular story is fictional The Negro Motorist Green Book was a real book that helped blacks travel throughout the United States. This story is a great aloud that helps introduce dark concepts and truths in American history. It provides enough detail through the eyes of child that students can easily comprehend and experience such dark subject matter in an age appropriate way. I would recommend using this book when teaching a unit about the Civil Rights Movement, or even to discuss the racial injustices society is facing today.
Thanks for posting this review. I'd love to add this book to my collection. Using picture books to tell important stories like this has always been very effective for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks again,
Andrea
I really enjoyed reading your review. I received this book in my Scholastic book order as a "free" book. I have not had a chance to read it yet. From your review I would agree that it is important to teach students the good and the bad of American history. I look forward to reading this book over break.
ReplyDelete-Ayisha