{"product_id":"our-first-bus-ride-derek-francis-hardcover","title":"Our First Bus Ride -- Derek Francis, Hardcover","description":"\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cp\u003eOne fall morning in Minneapolis, two girls stepped onto a yellow school bus. It looked like a regular ride-but it wasn't.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eOur First Bus Ride\u003c\/em\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInspired by real events, this beautifully illustrated picture book introduces children to the ideas of integration and fairness in clear, age-appropriate language. \u003cem\u003eOur First Bus Ride\u003c\/em\u003e celebrates courage, community, and the power of learning together across differences-a legacy that continues to shape schools and neighborhoods today.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSeventy 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePerfect for families, classrooms, and libraries, this story invites meaningful conversations about history, empathy, and belonging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/strong\u003e Derek Francis\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/strong\u003e Strive Publishing LLC\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePublished:\u003c\/strong\u003e 1\/24\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePages:\u003c\/strong\u003e 46\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 0.84 lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 10\" H x 8\" L x 0.25\" W\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eISBN:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9781948529266\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Flowerburst","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67747378528560,"sku":"9781948529266","price":36.32,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0879\/2712\/8368\/files\/9781948529266.jpg?v=1788795080","url":"https:\/\/flowerburst.co\/products\/our-first-bus-ride-derek-francis-hardcover","provider":"Flowerburst","version":"1.0","type":"link"}