Ruth and the Green Book
Ruth and the Green Book
Book Title: Ruth and the Green Book
Book Author: Calvin Alexander Ramsey with Gwen Strauss
Book Illustrator: Floyd Cooper
This book addresses: Jim Crow laws, the black community in the US
Disclaimer: This book, in being accurate with the time period in which it was set, uses the word “Negro”. This word is used by the young black narrator when referencing the whole title of the Green Book and when relaying what others have said. It is not used as a slur at any point, but rather as another way to refer to the black community. Depending on the tutor’s comfort level, have a conversation with your student about the word Negro (a historical explanation provided below) and choose to use the word or not while reading the book.
Potentially Tricky Vocabulary:
Ashamed: a feeling of shame or guilt
Homesick: longing for home, missing home
Questions to ask the student before reading:
Why do you think it is important to help each other?
What do you know about the Jim Crow laws?
Historical context to give before reading:
The Jim Crow laws were created after the end of the US civil war. They were designed to keep black people and white people separate. When white and black people were kept separate, white people got things like water fountains, movie seats, and stores that were clean and new. Black people got things that were broken, dirty, and old, if they got those things at all. Jim Crow laws were mean and unfair and created an unwelcoming America.
The word “Negro” was used to refer to the black community in the US from the 1700’s until around 1970. Although we don’t use this word toady, using “black” or “African American” instead, it was a common and acceptable term for a long time in American history.
(The questions to ask the student and historical content above are interconnected. The historical context is typically going to be a supplement to what your student might not know. Some students may already be knowledgeable about a subject, others may not know much yet. Pay attention to what your student already knows and share the historical context accordingly.)
While reading:
Take your time with this book and be sure to answer any questions that your student may have with care and respect. Point out where people in the black community are helping each other.
After reading:
How did people in the black community support and help each other in this story? Did Ruth do anything to help someone else?
Do you think that we do a better job of being kind to people now than we did then? Do you think we still have room to improve?
Follow up activity (time permitting):
Ask your student to think about the Geneva community. Is there a way that they can be helpful? This can be something as small as picking up trash, including classmates, or being friendly to others on the playground. Have your student write down an “I will…” statement and draw a picture to go with it.
All definitions were adapted by Karina Connolly from the Merriam Webster online dictionary.