Reader's Response: "Through My Eyes" by Ruby Bridges

November, 2017

Here, I share with you a Reader's Response from my INSC 330 (Books and Related Materials for Children) class that has given me an opportunity to not only respond creatively to a literary work, but also to share some of my innermost feelings and experiences which have aided me in discovering my passion for education and the desire to facilitate a joy for unity and lifelong learning in all individuals. It is a strongly opinionated paper that I hope, through the sharing of some of my personal perspective and deepest concerns, can prove to be of inspirational value to readers.

Note: Through My Eyes by Ruby Bridges is a biography based in the 1960s in which Ruby, a six-year-old African American student, shares her experience of what it was like to be one of the first children in New Orleans to take part in the racial integration of public schools. For details about the criteria of the assignment, please refer to the information beneath the document.

Assignment Objective:

The student is to give a personal descriptive and analytical reading response to Ruby Bridges' Through My Eyes (1999) in order to exhibit the ability to analyze, discuss, and share opinions about literature.

1) Discuss what the author does best and why. Include personal reactions and opinions of the author's approach. Explain why and give examples.

2) Discuss which age group this book is appropriate for and why. Explain why children will like or dislike this book.

3) How would the student describe this book to a child?

4) How did the book make the student feel? What personal experiences did the student relate to the story and why?

5) Is the book as the student expected? What could be improved?