Skip to main content
Books, videos, and music - all free from your public library!
LoginSign Up

Footer

Hoopla logo, Go to homepage
  • For Patrons
  • For Libraries (opens in new window)
  • For Vendors (opens in new window)
  • Facebook (opens in new window)
  • X (opens in new window)
  • Instagram (opens in new window)
  • YouTube (opens in new window)
  • TikTok (opens in new window)
  • LinkedIn (opens in new window)

Our Company

  • Our Story
  • Get Hoopla for your Library (opens in new window)
  • Get your content on hoopla (opens in new window)
  • Join our team (opens in new window)
  • Accessibility Statement

Our Content

  • Audiobooks
  • Ebooks
  • Movies
  • Television
  • Comics
  • BingePasses
  • Music
  • The Loop Blog

Help

  • Help Center
  • Submit Feedback
  • Facebook (opens in new window)
  • X (opens in new window)
  • Instagram (opens in new window)
  • YouTube (opens in new window)
  • TikTok (opens in new window)
  • LinkedIn (opens in new window)
  • Download on the App Store (opens in new window)
  • Get it on Google Play (opens in new window)
  • Available at Amazon Appstore (opens in new window)
© 2026 Midwest Tape, LLC. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
  • Hoopla logo
  • Browse
  • My Hoopla
  • Log In
  1. Navigate Home
  2. Ebooks
  3. Our First Bus Ride

EBOOK

Our First Bus Ride

Derek Francis
(0)
sign up
Year
2026
Language
English
Publisher
Strive Publishing LLC

About

One fall morning in Minneapolis, two girls stepped onto a yellow school bus. It looked like a regular ride-but it wasn't.

Our First Bus Ride tells the story of Molly and Monica, two best friends whose lives change when they become part of the historic Hale-Field school pairing in 1971-one of Minnesota's earliest efforts to integrate public schools. Though segregated schools were declared unconstitutional decades earlier, communities across the country were still working to make fairness a reality. Through the eyes of these two children, young readers experience the excitement, uncertainty, and hope of learning in a new place with new classmates. As Molly and Monica ride the bus together, they begin to understand what it means to share schools, resources, and friendships.

Inspired by real events, this beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children to the ideas of integration and fairness in clear, age-appropriate language. Our First Bus Ride celebrates courage, community, and the power of learning together across differences-a legacy that continues to shape schools and neighborhoods today.

Seventy years after Brown v. Board of Education declared segregated schools unconstitutional, the journey toward true integration still tells many stories - one of them begins in Minnesota.

Perfect for families, classrooms, and libraries, this story invites meaningful conversations about history, empathy, and belonging.

Related Subjects

  • Prejudice, Racism & Colorism
  • Social Topics
  • Juvenile Nonfiction
  • Friendship
  • State & Local
  • United States
  • History

Artists

Derek FrancisAuthor