Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li
Realistic Fiction, Asian American, Feelings & Emotions, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Family, Friendship
2023; 288 pages
Realistic Fiction, Asian American, Feelings & Emotions, Social Awareness, Relationship Skills, Family, Friendship
2023; 288 pages
Description
"Thanks to her Ye-Ye's epic scavenger hunts, thirteen-year-old Ruby Chu knows San Francisco like the back of her hand. But after his death, she feels lost. . . . After Ruby gets in major trouble at school, her parents decide she has to spend the summer at a local senior center, with her grandmother, Nai-Nai, and Nai-Nai's friends for company. When a new boy from Ruby's grade, Liam Yeung, starts showing up too, Ruby's humiliation is complete. But Nai-Nai, her friends, and Liam all surprise Ruby. She finds herself working with Liam . . . to help save a historic Chinatown bakery that's being priced out of the neighborhood. And alongside Nai-Nai, who is keeping a secret that threatens to change everything, Ruby retraces Ye-Ye's scavenger hunt maps in an attempt to find a way out of her grief--and maybe even find herself"--Provided by publisher.
"Thanks to her Ye-Ye's epic scavenger hunts, thirteen-year-old Ruby Chu knows San Francisco like the back of her hand. But after his death, she feels lost. . . . After Ruby gets in major trouble at school, her parents decide she has to spend the summer at a local senior center, with her grandmother, Nai-Nai, and Nai-Nai's friends for company. When a new boy from Ruby's grade, Liam Yeung, starts showing up too, Ruby's humiliation is complete. But Nai-Nai, her friends, and Liam all surprise Ruby. She finds herself working with Liam . . . to help save a historic Chinatown bakery that's being priced out of the neighborhood. And alongside Nai-Nai, who is keeping a secret that threatens to change everything, Ruby retraces Ye-Ye's scavenger hunt maps in an attempt to find a way out of her grief--and maybe even find herself"--Provided by publisher.
My Comments
Middle school students may relate to the difficulties of dealing with change in friendships. Ruby has lost one friend to moving and another who abandons her for a new group. She is in trouble for leaving school without permission, her parents are busy starting a new business, and she feels guilty about her grandfather's death whom she misses terribly. Ruby feels lost and lonely, but the summer brings new understanding, friendship, and growth.
This is a quiet book, but one with depth. The portrayal of relationships and characters are compelling and keep the book interesting. There is also a bit of adventure when Ruby and her grandmother 'run away' towards the end of the book. Although the book is not difficult, it is a bit long. Give this to thoughtful readers. I did like the book!
