Black History for Kids: Minneapolis’ First School Integration Bus Ride
A new children’s book is helping preserve a little-known chapter of Black history in Minneapolis by introducing young readers to the city’s first school integration bus ride. Author Derek Francis’ book, Our First Bus Ride, tells the story of the 1971 Hale and Field Elementary school integration through the eyes of two second-grade students, highlighting community action, belonging, and the power of inclusive education.
A new children’s book is helping educate young readers on one of Minneapolis’ most historic school integration bus rides, sharing a chapter of local history that many adults never knew existed.
Author Derek Francis recently launched “Our First Bus Ride,” a children’s book that tells the story of the 1971 Hale and Field Elementary school integration in South Minneapolis through the eyes of two second-grade students. The book captures the emotions and community efforts behind the first day of school busing in the city.
For Francis, the idea came from the realization that he never learned this history growing up. “I learned about Ruby Bridges, Little Rock Nine, but I never learned about the Hale-Field pairing in Minneapolis in 1971 and what integration looked like here,” Francis said.
The book centers on the 1971 pairing of Hale and Field Elementary, two schools less than two miles apart but vastly different in student demographics and resources. According to Francis, Hale was 99% white, while Field was about 70% Black.
The story follows two real students, Molly and Monica, as they ride the bus to school for the first time, a moment that marks the beginning of school integration in South Minneapolis.
“It shares the narrative of what it was like before, what it was like hearing the news that your school was going to be integrated, and then that bus ride,” Francis said. “Neither one of them had ridden the bus to school before. It was their first time on a bus ride, a historic bus ride.”
The book also highlights influential educators like Mr. Mike Andrews, an African American teacher at Field Elementary who had marched with Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Francis first learned about the Hale-Field school integration while working as a school counselor in the equity department at Minneapolis Public Schools. Seeing both Monica and Molly, the students from historic photos, later meet in person became a turning point.
“Hearing their real lived experiences, what it was like getting on the bus that day, really impacted me,” Francis said. “This was right here in Minnesota. We had those same racial dynamics in our state and the city of Minneapolis.”
The experience convinced him the story needed to be told in a way young people could understand. Francis says the story is about more than the past; it’s also about how communities are built on belonging today.
“Stories about school integration still matter in 2026 because it’s about understanding who’s our neighbor,” he said. “It’s so important, especially at a young age, for kids to understand and see someone of a different background as a benefit.”
Francis hopes the book encourages children to see diversity as a strength and to build friendships with peers from all walks of life. “There are a lot of people who still don’t have a friend from a different background,” Francis said.
Unlike the violent resistance seen in other states during school segregation, Francis says Minneapolis’ integration efforts were deeply community-driven. Local churches, families and educators worked together to advocate for change.
Instead of closing a predominantly Black school, a common practice, or letting go of staff, both schools remained open, preserving jobs and ties to the community. “That is another huge community-driven historic piece,” Francis said. “It’s important for us to think about how this connects to our community values and roots.”
With experience in education, Francis says the book also reflects a larger mission of encouraging families to read together. “Spend at least 30 minutes reading with your kids. It builds their confidence, helping our students, especially our Black students, become better readers,” he said.
Francis also emphasized the importance of culturally relevant books that reflect children’s identities and experiences. “When kids see themselves in books, they get excited to read.”
Community members will have the opportunity to learn more about this history during a Black History Month event at the St. Paul Public Library.
On Feb. 19, the Arlington Hills Library will host a Black History Month Doc-N-Dine, featuring a screening of the documentary “Separate Not Equal: Minnesota Integration Story.” Books will also be available for purchase, along with the opportunity to meet Molly and Monica, the two students whose experiences inspired the book.
“Our First Bus Ride” is also available through Strive Publishing Co., a Black-owned Minneapolis bookstore dedicated to supporting independent publishers and local authors.
Francis also leads community reading sessions and educational programming through his organization Reset Relearn, which equips participants with culturally responsive and multicultural resources, explores diverse identities, and encourages reflection on biases and systemic barriers.
Lizzy Nyoike is a Hubbard School of Journalism & Mass Communication student