Ruth+and+the+Green+Book

Page created by Jackie Pedersen
Ramsey, C. A., & Cooper, F. (August, 2010). //Ruth and the green book//. Minneapolis, MN: Carolrhoda Books.


 * Summary**:

This is a story about Ruth, an African-American girl in the 1950’s, and her family. They are taking a road trip from Chicago to Alabama to visit Ruth’s grandmother. But they are shocked along the way to find “whites only” restaurants, hotels and restrooms. Finally near Georgia they are given The Negro Motorist Green Book as a guidebook to businesses that welcome African-Americans. This is a great book to use as a pre-read to a Civil Rights unit in any age classroom.


 * Questions**:

1. The Green Book listed safe and welcoming places for African-Americans to eat and sleep. What other groups from the past or present would benefit from a ‘safe haven’ book?

2. There are prejudices all around us. Write about a prejudice you’ve witnessed that did not originate because of the color of someone’s skin.

3. Are people born with prejudices or are they learned? Elaborate on your answer.


 * Classroom Activity**:

1. Pretend you’ve written a ‘safe haven’ book for another group from the past of present. 2. Use a trifold pamphlet to create interest in your book. Must contain a drawing or photo, the name of your book, reasons why your book is necessary, what your book offers, and a biography of the author. Share your results with the class.

I**nteresting Sites**:

Printable PDF version of The Negro Travelers Green Book http://www.teachingushistory.org/tTrove/blackandwhitetourism.htm

Interactive Road Trip through the South http://www.knowitall.org/roadtrip/

Article from New York Times http://www.nytimes.com/2010/08/23/books/23green.html

Author's Website http://calvinalexanderamsey.org/

Author's Interview http://africanamericanplaywrightsexchange.blogspot.com/2011/06/aapex-interview-calvin-ramsey-and-green.html