Ruth and the Green Book

by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, Gwen Strauss, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

Overview

The picture book inspiration for the Academy Award-winning film The Green Book

Ruth was so excited to take a trip in her family's new car! In the early 1950s, few African Americans could afford to buy cars, so this would be an adventure. But she soon found out that Black travelers weren't treated very well in some towns. Many hotels and gas stations refused service to Black people. Daddy was upset about something called Jim Crow laws . . .

Finally, a friendly attendant at a gas station showed Ruth's family The Green Book. It listed all of the places that would welcome Black travelers. With this guidebook—and the kindness of strangers—Ruth could finally make a safe journey from Chicago to her grandma's house in Alabama.

Ruth's story is fiction, but The Green Book and its role in helping a generation of African American travelers avoid some of the indignities of Jim Crow are historical fact.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781467738170
Publisher:	Lerner Publishing Group
Publication date:	05/07/2024
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	36
Sales rank:	235,076
File size:	48 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	7 - 11 Years

About the Author

Gwen Strauss's book of poems, Trail of Stones, with illustrations by Anthony Browne was published by Knopf in New York and Walker Books in London. The Night Shimmy (Random House), a children's book with the same illustrator, has been translated into several languages. She is an award-winning poet and her writing has appeared in many publications, including the London Sunday Times, The New Republic, New England Review, Kenyon Review, Tampa Review, and Antioch Review. She works as the on-site director at the Brown Foundation Fellowship Program at the Dora Maar House in Ménerbes, France.

Editorial Reviews

"The realistic illustrations are done in oil wash on board, a self-described 'subtractive process.' The picture is painted, then erased to 'paint' the final product. Overall, there is a sepialike quality to the art, giving the impression of gazing at old color photos. This is an important addition to picture book collections, useful as a discussion-starter on Civil Rights or as a stand-alone story." —starred, School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Ruth’s family buys their first car—a 1952 mist-green Buick—and sets out from Chicago to her grandmother’s in Alabama. Ruth’s initial excitement is huge as the trip heads into the green of the suburbs and family members share stories. But her feelings change to dismay and confusion when the family is turned away from restrooms and motels as the trip continues. Then, with a newly purchased Green Book in hand, Ruth and her family take control of their outing. Cherise Boothe’s gentle narration takes a backseat to the story’s characters and events. Boothe’s voice is calm, her pacing deliberate, her enunciation distinct—a totally pleasing package. The production concludes with additional information about the Green Book and Jim Crow laws. A.R. © AudioFile 2012, Portland, Maine

FEBRUARY 2012 - AudioFile