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beths0103's review against another edition
4.0
Brewster is not based on any one particular child, but is a composite of those children who experienced forced busing in the 1970s when the Supreme Court attempted to desegregate schools. As always, the author's note further highlights the importance of Brewster's story.
dscholl's review against another edition
1. New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book. New York Times Book Review Notable Children's Book
2. Grade 1-4
3. This book tells the story of Brewster, an African-American student who is bused to a white school following integration. He is nervous about going to a new school where he won't fit in. White protestors gathered outside the school to protest his presence. He overcomes these struggles and finds a friend in the librarian.
4. This tale, although on a negative topic, is uplifting and demonstrates hope and bravery. It is a safe way to introduce segregation to young students, in a story that has a positive ending.
5. This book can be used in a unit introducing segregation, and integration. It can also be used to demonstrate to students the benefits of remaining positive in any situation.
2. Grade 1-4
3. This book tells the story of Brewster, an African-American student who is bused to a white school following integration. He is nervous about going to a new school where he won't fit in. White protestors gathered outside the school to protest his presence. He overcomes these struggles and finds a friend in the librarian.
4. This tale, although on a negative topic, is uplifting and demonstrates hope and bravery. It is a safe way to introduce segregation to young students, in a story that has a positive ending.
5. This book can be used in a unit introducing segregation, and integration. It can also be used to demonstrate to students the benefits of remaining positive in any situation.
kellyjcm's review against another edition
4.0
This was a hit with my grade 8 students. I love the illustrations.
aprilthelibrarian's review against another edition
5.0
I didn't know by the cover art what a great story this would be. Brewster is changing to the all white school, and he's so young he doesn't really understand desegregation, and he can't read the signs that the people hold up outside the bus stop. He does find a wonderful mentor in the school librarian who agrees with his mom that he could one day grow up to be the president, and he promises her to visit everyday so he can learn to read. This book hit me hard.
bibli0rach's review against another edition
Wonderful illustrations and a great story. Brewster is excited (and a little nervous) about starting first grade. He becomes even more skeptical when he finds out he'll be bused to the white school. This is a great starting point for a discussion with children about race, segregation, and civil rights. Ages 4-10
debnanceatreaderbuzz's review
4.0
I happily received this preview book some months back, read it, cataloged it, and put it on my shelf. It was quickly snagged by a parent wishing to read stories to her children.
When the parent returned the book, I asked her what she had thought of it. She hesitated. Finally she said that her kids didn’t get the story.
It’s hard to imagine, but our young children as well as most parents of our young children don’t know much about the days when segregation was the rule in public schools. Perhaps we need to share the stories better. Busing Brewster is certainly one way to do this. I loved this little story of a boy’s experiences with integration, both happy and sad. It felt very real.
When the parent returned the book, I asked her what she had thought of it. She hesitated. Finally she said that her kids didn’t get the story.
It’s hard to imagine, but our young children as well as most parents of our young children don’t know much about the days when segregation was the rule in public schools. Perhaps we need to share the stories better. Busing Brewster is certainly one way to do this. I loved this little story of a boy’s experiences with integration, both happy and sad. It felt very real.
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