Busing Brewster

Busing Brewster

Written by Richard Michelson

Illustrated by R.G. Roth

Published by Alfred A. Knopf

Copyright 2010

32 pages

Historical fiction

Busing Brewster is about a boy named Brewster who has to go to Central School, which is an all-white school. His mom is excited about his new school, but Brewster is not. When he gets to the school, people are not friendly. How will he like his first day at a new school?

R.G. Roth used ink, watercolor, and collage to illustrate this book. Each book stands out in the collage of the library. The illustrations help explain the story. Without the illustrations, Brewster asking his brother about the signs would not make sense.

Busing Brewster could be used in a fifth or sixth grade classroom. It could be used for a social studies lesson. Students could research the history of segregation. This book could be used for a writing lesson. Students could write about how they would feel if they had to go to a different school. Busing Brewster could also be used for a science lesson. Students could research different types of transportation. This book made the New York Times list of the Ten Best Illustrated Books of 2010. This book also won a National Council for the Social Studies and Children's Book Council Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People in 2011.