Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
DocuSign Envelope ID: DFE48D81-9420-4D95-8D95-610AC101030F <br /> Ruth and the Green Book by Calvin Alexander <br /> A Collaborative Review by Sixth Graders at Expedition School <br /> Draft 3 <br /> In Calvin Alexander's Ruth and the Green Book, an innocent black girl shows <br /> us how hard life was during the times of segregation. Realistic illustrations record <br /> her struggle to find where she belongs. This book will touch your heart. <br /> Ruth, the heroine, is excited about traveling from Chicago to her grandmother's <br /> house in Alabama. Quickly she sees the challenges an African-American family <br /> faces in the 1950's when she is not allowed to use the bathroom at a gas station. <br /> The characters Ruth meets show the family safer ways to meet obstacles they <br /> encounter with the Green Book. This book, written by Victor Green, is a guide to <br /> restaurants, gas stations, and hotels that welcome African-American travelers. <br /> Floyd Cooper's realistic illustrations give a sense of the times as he <br /> represents the styles of the 1950's with its cars, clothing, and buildings. Even <br /> more important, his artwork captures the emotions of the characters. The <br /> darkness of sepia colors add to the sense of Ruth's confusion when she encounters <br /> the Jim Crow laws. <br /> Maybe the strongest element in this book is the symbols. Ruth's brown <br /> teddy bear is not just a stuffed animal, but a symbol of comfort. The Green gook <br /> not only guides the family, but symbolizes trust and sense of community. <br />