Ruth and the Green Book
- Downloads：5097
- Type：Epub+TxT+PDF+Mobi
- Create Date：2021-04-13 11:56:05
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Calvin Alexander Ramsey
- ISBN：0761352554
- Environment：PC/Android/iPhone/iPad/Kindle
- Download
Summary
Ruth and the Green Book is the story of one black family's trip from Chicago to Alabama by car in the late 1940s。 Along the way they encounter prejudice， but they also discover The Green Book， a real guide to accommodations which was published for decades to aid African-American travelers as they faced prejudice on the roads across the country。
Reviews
Norkett
，
A great story depicting the traveling experience for Ruth and her family， the good and bad。 The illustrations really evoke emotion。 It's hard to believe this was a reality not that long ago。 A great story depicting the traveling experience for Ruth and her family， the good and bad。 The illustrations really evoke emotion。 It's hard to believe this was a reality not that long ago。 。。。more
Ron Turner
，
A stark reminder of what racism was like for children。 This wasn't in the distant past。 Those children are still alive。。。 A stark reminder of what racism was like for children。 This wasn't in the distant past。 Those children are still alive。。。 。。。more
Julian Vena
，
A telling story of the African American experience during and before the civil rights movement。 Ruth is a girl going on a road trip with her parents from Chicago to Atlanta to visit her Grandmother。 Along the way， the harsh realities of racism strike her at every turn。 She can’t understand why her family can’t stop for gas， eat at certain restaurants， or partake in certain activities。 Of course， the reason was the harsh reality of prejudice and discrimination that didn’t allow African Americans A telling story of the African American experience during and before the civil rights movement。 Ruth is a girl going on a road trip with her parents from Chicago to Atlanta to visit her Grandmother。 Along the way， the harsh realities of racism strike her at every turn。 She can’t understand why her family can’t stop for gas， eat at certain restaurants， or partake in certain activities。 Of course， the reason was the harsh reality of prejudice and discrimination that didn’t allow African Americans the same liberties and opportunities as whites。 Her family ends up meeting someone who sells a copy of the “greenbook” which was a guide for African Americans to see where they would be served and hosted while on a road trip。 The book included hotels， gas stations， restaurants， and tourist attractions that were open to African Americans。 With the aid of this book， Ruth and her family continue on their journey down south， feeling much more supported now that they knew where they could stop。 This is based on a true story。 Namely， the “Greenbook” existed and served thousands of African Americans。 It ended up outlining the whole US and the stops that would accept African Americans。 This book was eye opening for me。 I never knew about the “greenbook”， which just made me realize how much I still have to learn about the Afican American experience。 This book would be a great addition for any unit discussing the civil rights movement as well as a history class focusing on prejudice in our nation's past。 It is also essential that we continue to educate our future’s next generation of citizens in order for them to understand the mistreatment of Afican Americans in this country。 Learning from the past is the only way we can continue in our growth and place a greater distance between us and that terrible time in our past。 。。。more
Daniel
，
Ruth and the Green Book is a fictional story set during the Jim Crow years。 It is presented from the point of view of a girl whose childhood years are defined by the fears and sorrows caused by racial segregation。 Normal things like finding a hotel where African American were welcomed was not easy without this valuable book。 I enjoyed the book because it also shows how someone you don't know （a man called Victor Green） worked to help his community， and how that work impacted everybody's lives， i Ruth and the Green Book is a fictional story set during the Jim Crow years。 It is presented from the point of view of a girl whose childhood years are defined by the fears and sorrows caused by racial segregation。 Normal things like finding a hotel where African American were welcomed was not easy without this valuable book。 I enjoyed the book because it also shows how someone you don't know （a man called Victor Green） worked to help his community， and how that work impacted everybody's lives， including this little girl。 The author encourages the reader to be brave and stand for their dignity。 I found it on Youtube。 I recommend it to talk about point of view during Literacy and to talk about it during Social Studies。 。。。more
Suzette Pereyra
，
I found this historical fiction book recommended on BookRiot。com/best-historical-fiction-。。。。 I listened to it on YouTube。com。 It was very enlightening。 It is about a black family traveling through the southern US during the Jim Crow era。 They were having problems finding restaurants， motels， and even restrooms to use。 One of their friends recommended that they buy a “green book” which listed all the Negro friendly places they could stop at for food， shelter， and car repairs。 This book made me s I found this historical fiction book recommended on BookRiot。com/best-historical-fiction-。。。。 I listened to it on YouTube。com。 It was very enlightening。 It is about a black family traveling through the southern US during the Jim Crow era。 They were having problems finding restaurants， motels， and even restrooms to use。 One of their friends recommended that they buy a “green book” which listed all the Negro friendly places they could stop at for food， shelter， and car repairs。 This book made me sad that people had to be turned away because of the color of their skin， but I like the way they helped each other to have an adventurous vacation。 This book would be appropriate for 2nd-3rd graders studying history in the US during the Jim Crow Era。 。。。more
Kate Hern
，
I loved this book！ It reminded me so much of the movie the green book and actually getting to see the green book in person。 It is amazing。 This book represents many true facts about the past and how difficult it was for African American's。 The story of Ruth and her family getting turned down at many places they try to go to is heartbreaking because I know how true that used to be back then before the civil rights act in 1964。 This book is all about historical fiction。 It is historically correct I loved this book！ It reminded me so much of the movie the green book and actually getting to see the green book in person。 It is amazing。 This book represents many true facts about the past and how difficult it was for African American's。 The story of Ruth and her family getting turned down at many places they try to go to is heartbreaking because I know how true that used to be back then before the civil rights act in 1964。 This book is all about historical fiction。 It is historically correct but Ruth's story isn't based on a true event which makes it fiction。 I highly recommend this to teachers who are trying to teach a history lesson。 I would use this as a teaching idea to teach the students what the green book was and how it helped African American's back then。 I want them to understand the past of our country。 Knowing more history is not knowing more facts， but knowing how to read。 This book represents that。 。。。more
Holly Johnston
，
I enjoyed reading this historical fiction book about Ruth and her parents' trip to see her grandmother。 It was as if I was with them in the car on their challenging journey through the states。 It is disheartening to read how poorly African Americans were treated during the civil rights time period。 For example， Ruth and her mom had to use the bathroom in the woods because they were not allowed in the bathroom at the rest stop。 Things did seem brighter once they got the green book which told them I enjoyed reading this historical fiction book about Ruth and her parents' trip to see her grandmother。 It was as if I was with them in the car on their challenging journey through the states。 It is disheartening to read how poorly African Americans were treated during the civil rights time period。 For example， Ruth and her mom had to use the bathroom in the woods because they were not allowed in the bathroom at the rest stop。 Things did seem brighter once they got the green book which told them all of the places they were allowed to go。 I would definitely use this book in my third grade classroom when we talk about our civil rights unit in social studies。 It would be beneficial for my students to read from the perspective of a child that was around their age at the time， and all that she encountered。 I would also find an example of a green book when learning about geography。 Students could pick a place in the green book， find it on a map， and discuss how these places have changed over time。 This book made me say "WOW" because I was able to see from the perspective of a young child what it was like to be turned away just because of the color of her skin。 Even though children are young， they pick up on everything around them and they are always aware of what is going on。 I thought it was interesting that there was a need for a book， just to be able to know about places where African Americans were welcome。 I will definitely use this book in my future instruction！ 。。。more
MaKayla
，
Beautiful and informative children's book。 This pairs nicely with Clean Getaway by Nic Stone。 Beautiful and informative children's book。 This pairs nicely with Clean Getaway by Nic Stone。 。。。more
Deb （Readerbuzz） Nance
，
If I were a braver sort， I'd reply to the recent FB post of my old friend， Terry。 Here's what Terry recently posted: And under it he wrote: Where's the app for white-owned restaurants？What would I say to Terry， a sixty-five-year-old white man who grew up in the American South？I'd say: Terry， read Ruth and the Green Book。 Ruth and the Green Book is the story of a black Chicago family who heads off to visit their extended family in the South in their brand-new car。 But when they try to stop on the If I were a braver sort， I'd reply to the recent FB post of my old friend， Terry。 Here's what Terry recently posted: And under it he wrote: Where's the app for white-owned restaurants？What would I say to Terry， a sixty-five-year-old white man who grew up in the American South？I'd say: Terry， read Ruth and the Green Book。 Ruth and the Green Book is the story of a black Chicago family who heads off to visit their extended family in the South in their brand-new car。 But when they try to stop on their trip to use the restroom or eat in a restaurant or find a place to spend the night， the family is turned away。 Finally， hey are directed to buy a green book， a book that lists places where people can eat and sleep and use the facilities without regard to their race。 So， if I were a braver sort， I'd tell you， Terry， to please read this book。 And maybe a few more like it。 Would someone tell Terry for me？ 。。。more
christina kimmer
，
Recommend This book is amazing！ I learned the history of the green book。 I never even knew it existed before。 I love learning new things to expand my knowledge。
Monica Goucher
，
Ruth and her family prepare to travel to visit her grandmother in Alabama in their new car。 What an exciting adventure！ Ruth's family leaves their home in Chicago for an extended road trip。 Set in 1952， the further south the family travels， the more restricted their travel becomes。 They are not allowed to use a gas station restroom， denied a motel room， and sent away from restaurants。 After spending the night with friends in Tennessee， Ruth is given a job - to look for an Esso gas station。 Once Ruth and her family prepare to travel to visit her grandmother in Alabama in their new car。 What an exciting adventure！ Ruth's family leaves their home in Chicago for an extended road trip。 Set in 1952， the further south the family travels， the more restricted their travel becomes。 They are not allowed to use a gas station restroom， denied a motel room， and sent away from restaurants。 After spending the night with friends in Tennessee， Ruth is given a job - to look for an Esso gas station。 Once Ruth sp0ts it， her father stops and is given a pamphlet， known as "The Green Book，" which will help them on the rest of their journey。The story can be used in a history class to help students understand the pre-Civil Rights era in southern states。 I would recommend this story for upper elementary （4-5）， middle grades （6-8）， or possibly even high school （9-12）。 In this story， Ruth learns about Jim Crow and how it affects her family and others of their race。 Ruth sees the ugliness of the behavior directed toward them but also sees how others are willing to help them。 From this book， students can research the term "Jim Crow" and find the historical context of this term or learn about The Green Book and the type of information included。 。。。more
Teresa
，
Used for World Read-Aloud Day at RBS-4th grade Set in 1952 “Historical Fiction”Worked really well。 How do families navigate today？ Using a map。 What if you couldn’t go/stay/eat/pee where you wanted？ Jim Crow laws and The Green Book。 “Negro” = black
Jenny Patterson
，
I enjoyed reading this book。 I think that the illustrations take you back in time。 It shows you how the street， house， and people used to live at that time。 I choose this book as a historical book。 It really shows me the resilience that black people have to have over time。 It talks about black people traveling after the Emancipation， and how even after being free they could not enjoy the same liberties of going on road trips without being treated differently。
Paige Fulkerson
，
This was an AMAZING book。 It told a great story from the perspective of a young girl traveling with her parents。 Their trip shows this young girl learning about the intense racism that our country was facing in the 1950s as they stopped at gas stations and hotels and were rejected because of their skin color。 By the end， the family has bought the Green Book and feel happy to be part of a community of kind， welcoming and helpful people。This book would be great for teaching lessons about the Civil This was an AMAZING book。 It told a great story from the perspective of a young girl traveling with her parents。 Their trip shows this young girl learning about the intense racism that our country was facing in the 1950s as they stopped at gas stations and hotels and were rejected because of their skin color。 By the end， the family has bought the Green Book and feel happy to be part of a community of kind， welcoming and helpful people。This book would be great for teaching lessons about the Civil Rights area and talking about some of the heights of racial injustice in this country。 。。。more
Colin
，
A really beautiful and moving book about the Negro Motorist Green Book published between 1940 and 1964 （ending the year President Johnson signed the Civil Rights Act into law）。 The story is historical fiction， but based on real accounts of Black travelers in the 1950s and early 1960s who needed a Green Book （detailing businesses that were willing to serve Black customers） to be safe on the road。 My kids （6 and 8） definitely understood the story and why it was important。
Catherine
，
This was a helpful way to show how traveling looked different for some people based on race。 I'd never thought about this element in our history。 When we study this period， I plan to have a reproduction copy of a Green Book that we can look through alongside reading this book。 This was a helpful way to show how traveling looked different for some people based on race。 I'd never thought about this element in our history。 When we study this period， I plan to have a reproduction copy of a Green Book that we can look through alongside reading this book。 。。。more
Christy
，
Ruth and the Green Book is the story of one black family's trip from Chicago to Alabama by car in the late 1940s。 Along the way they encounter prejudice， but they also discover The Green Book， a real guide to accommodations which was published for decades to aid African-American travelers as they faced prejudice on the roads across the country。 Ruth and the Green Book is the story of one black family's trip from Chicago to Alabama by car in the late 1940s。 Along the way they encounter prejudice， but they also discover The Green Book， a real guide to accommodations which was published for decades to aid African-American travelers as they faced prejudice on the roads across the country。 。。。more
N
，
Such an important book。 I think I'll read it when I book talk Clean Getaway with my middle grade students。 Such an important book。 I think I'll read it when I book talk Clean Getaway with my middle grade students。 。。。more
Erin *BookDragonLibrary*
，
This is a good picture book to go with a lesson on the Civil Rights movement。 It shows the fierce inequality and racism that existed and the divide between different parts of the country in the 40's。 It also introduces the Green Book which can be used as a discussion point with kids。 I don't believe I personally had heard of this in school growing up and it makes me sad to think there was a guidebook needed for Black people for safety and acceptance while traveling within their own country。 The This is a good picture book to go with a lesson on the Civil Rights movement。 It shows the fierce inequality and racism that existed and the divide between different parts of the country in the 40's。 It also introduces the Green Book which can be used as a discussion point with kids。 I don't believe I personally had heard of this in school growing up and it makes me sad to think there was a guidebook needed for Black people for safety and acceptance while traveling within their own country。 The look of the illustrations make the book itself feel older than it is for some reason。 。。。more
Salima Kanji
，
Ruth and the Green Book is a beautifully written historical fiction children’s book about a family who takes a road trip from Chicago to Alabama in their new mint green car。 The story is set in the 1940s/50s during the time of segregation among whites and blacks。 As the family stops at a hotel to rest， they are told they are not allowed due to the color of their skin。 The family then discovers the Green Book that soon changes to the outlook of their trip。 This is a great book to use as a mentor Ruth and the Green Book is a beautifully written historical fiction children’s book about a family who takes a road trip from Chicago to Alabama in their new mint green car。 The story is set in the 1940s/50s during the time of segregation among whites and blacks。 As the family stops at a hotel to rest， they are told they are not allowed due to the color of their skin。 The family then discovers the Green Book that soon changes to the outlook of their trip。 This is a great book to use as a mentor text when teaching on the topic of discrimination and segregation。 I would recommend this Jane Addams Children's Book Award Nominee book for upper elementary students。 。。。more
Vicki Reilly
，
This historical fiction text follows a young African-American girl and her family on a road trip from Chicago to Alabama in the early 1950's。 The family did know racial segregation and discrimination would impact their travel plans。 It was only once they were introduced the "Green Book" that their travel became more enjoyable。 This story was featured as a part of a collection of historical fiction texts on Epic books。 It is a good read for upper elementary at a level O。 It also pairs well with i This historical fiction text follows a young African-American girl and her family on a road trip from Chicago to Alabama in the early 1950's。 The family did know racial segregation and discrimination would impact their travel plans。 It was only once they were introduced the "Green Book" that their travel became more enjoyable。 This story was featured as a part of a collection of historical fiction texts on Epic books。 It is a good read for upper elementary at a level O。 It also pairs well with instruction and discussion of segregation and the Jim Crow laws。 。。。more
Allison Ray
，
This is a great book for teaching students about what life looked like in the 1950's。 The story is written in a little girls perspective。 This can help students relate to the story and try to put themselves in her shoes。 This would be a good story to be read to fourth or fifth graders。 They would be able to understand a bit more than the younger grades。 This is a great book for teaching students about what life looked like in the 1950's。 The story is written in a little girls perspective。 This can help students relate to the story and try to put themselves in her shoes。 This would be a good story to be read to fourth or fifth graders。 They would be able to understand a bit more than the younger grades。 。。。more
Kim
，
I was unaware of the Green Book until now。 Looking forward to sharing with students。
Rachel Stevens
，
I really liked this book。 It is well written and easy to understand。 I’ve never heard of the green book before。
Carolyn Page
，
An important book to start the conversation about civil rights history from a child's perspective。 Also， can we take a moment to appreciate how pretty those illustrations are！ Gorgeous！ I want a sea-mist green car now。。。 An important book to start the conversation about civil rights history from a child's perspective。 Also， can we take a moment to appreciate how pretty those illustrations are！ Gorgeous！ I want a sea-mist green car now。。。 。。。more
Serrafina Pekkala
，
Essential Reading for Young ChildrenThis book is very well written。 As a parent raising two white children in 2020， I've worried about how to appropriately teach them about the history of discrimination that Black people have faced in our country。 This book is an excellent story that they will be able to understand， and I think it accurately portrays many aspects of the struggles facing Black travelers during the Jim Crow era。 It directly addresses difficulty in finding lodging， bathrooms， gas， Essential Reading for Young ChildrenThis book is very well written。 As a parent raising two white children in 2020， I've worried about how to appropriately teach them about the history of discrimination that Black people have faced in our country。 This book is an excellent story that they will be able to understand， and I think it accurately portrays many aspects of the struggles facing Black travelers during the Jim Crow era。 It directly addresses difficulty in finding lodging， bathrooms， gas， car repair， and those are needs that are accessible enough for a kindergartner to understand。 。。。more
nitya
，
Really powerful and beautifully illustrated book about Black history from a young Black girl's perspective， specifically the horrific Jim Crow laws and the creation of the Green Book。 I knew beforehand what the Green Book was and how it helped Black travellers in the US， but I had no idea it was used in Canada， Bermuda， and Mexico too！ Avoid the whitewashed movie and read this！ *Book 8 for the Graphics A Thon Really powerful and beautifully illustrated book about Black history from a young Black girl's perspective， specifically the horrific Jim Crow laws and the creation of the Green Book。 I knew beforehand what the Green Book was and how it helped Black travellers in the US， but I had no idea it was used in Canada， Bermuda， and Mexico too！ Avoid the whitewashed movie and read this！ *Book 8 for the Graphics A Thon 。。。more
Tiffany Skelton
，
Great book to introduce anyone to about the Green Book and how it affected black travelers。I wanted to see what story would be good through the eyes of a little girl and in it's brevity it made sense。 Great book to introduce anyone to about the Green Book and how it affected black travelers。I wanted to see what story would be good through the eyes of a little girl and in it's brevity it made sense。 。。。more
Tiffany
，
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it， click here。 Grade Level: 1-2，3-5Guided Reading Level: RLexile Level: 700LDescription: This historical fiction book follows Ruth and her family as they embark on a road trip that teaches them about an important piece of history。 The exciting road trip highlights the difficulties that black people faced at this time and teaches readers about the importance of the Green Book。 The Green Book introduced to them by a gas station attendant marked safe/ welcoming places for black travelers。 We see the kindness of s Grade Level: 1-2，3-5Guided Reading Level: RLexile Level: 700LDescription: This historical fiction book follows Ruth and her family as they embark on a road trip that teaches them about an important piece of history。 The exciting road trip highlights the difficulties that black people faced at this time and teaches readers about the importance of the Green Book。 The Green Book introduced to them by a gas station attendant marked safe/ welcoming places for black travelers。 We see the kindness of strangers and a culture shine through that connects students to the history of this time。 As their road trip comes to an end we know more about this time though shielded from some of the darker happenings of the Jim Crow era this book perfectly purveys the fears and injustices of this time for students。 Teacher Tips: This book offers new perspective for students into a challenging part of history。 Students can make connections to road trips they have taken， maps， and other important facts of this time， such as the meaning of lanterns and quilts as safe places。 From this text students can create their own maps of a road trip they have taken marking important places and stops in connection to the story。 Even building from this text students could create a bibliography on important historical figures comparing and connecting these stories depending on what grade level you teach。 This text works best as a text to embrace emotions and overall themes of text rather than a text to emphasize vocabulary（other than the key word Green Book）。 The teacher can draw on students understanding through inquiry/ open ended questions to have students unpack what they have read on a deeper level。 This text does have pictures so I think it can be adapted to lower level grades but definitely works well with students for black history month or civil rights movements， looking more critically at cause and effect。 I hope that you will use this text as a diverse learning experience/opportunity for your students to see things from a different cultural/ historical perspective！ 。。。more
Anita McDivitt Barrios
，
For an excellent lesson plan （aimed at 8th grade students， not elementary students） that uses this book and Opening the Road as an anticipatory set， please visit my blog。Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations， free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb。mystrikingly。com/ For an excellent lesson plan （aimed at 8th grade students， not elementary students） that uses this book and Opening the Road as an anticipatory set， please visit my blog。Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations， free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb。mystrikingly。com/ 。。。more
Reference
google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=Ruth and the Green Book
hathitrust digital library https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/ls?q1=Ruth and the Green Book&field1=ocr&a=srchls&ft=ft&lmt=ft