The Beat on Ruby's Street
Eleven-year old Ruby Tabeata is growing up in Greenwich Village in 1958. She is part of the Beat generation and lives a slightly different kind of life than those around her. Ruby loves poetry and writes some herself, her biggest dream is to hear Jack Kerouac perform. However, her parents aren't exactly married, her house isn't the cleanest and she doesn't attend a normal school. All of this plus being mistaken for stealing from a market stall gets Ruby in trouble and gets the attention of a social worker. The social worker does not approve of Ruby's home life and takes her to a children's home. While there, Ruby does whatever she needs in order to return to her mom and home.
The Beat on Ruby's Street was a very interesting look into the life of a child of the Beat generation. I really don't know much about people who did consider themselves Beatniks, and never thought about the children that they raised. I was very interested in Ruby's way of life and I adored her poetry. I thought it was very interesting that they were treated without respect because of their different way of life. However, I didn't like that the social worker was portrayed as a villain rather than someone who came to understand a different way of living. I was very happy that Ruby did finally get to meet her poet and perform her poetry. Overall, an inspiring piece of historical fiction for middle grade readers.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
The Beat on Ruby's Street was a very interesting look into the life of a child of the Beat generation. I really don't know much about people who did consider themselves Beatniks, and never thought about the children that they raised. I was very interested in Ruby's way of life and I adored her poetry. I thought it was very interesting that they were treated without respect because of their different way of life. However, I didn't like that the social worker was portrayed as a villain rather than someone who came to understand a different way of living. I was very happy that Ruby did finally get to meet her poet and perform her poetry. Overall, an inspiring piece of historical fiction for middle grade readers.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Fool's Errand
Twelve year old Ruby Tabeata is ready to have a fun summer. However, she finds out that her best friend Sophie is forced into hiding with her mother after her mother attended a Communist meeting. The House Un-American Activities Committee would like to serve Sophie's mom in order to have her turn in other people who have attended meetings as well. Ruby wants to help Sophie and her mother after her mother loses her job and goes on the run, but after last year's run-in with a social worker, Ruby's mom has set some rules for her. Ruby decides to chase Sophie all the way to Illinois along with her brother's girlfriend JoJo. Although, her intentions may end up hurting more than helping.
An exciting and dangerous middle grade adventure in the 1950's. Fool's Errand picks up soon after book 1, The Beat of Ruby's Street leaves off and I would highly encourage reading that first in order to get to Ruby. Through Ruby, I learned a little more about America's hidden history of the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood Blacklist that Sophie's mom was placed on. Ruby's adventure was also a coming-of-age journey for her where she expanded out of the Beat society and learned that her actions had consequences. Ruby also learned more of the rules of society that she didn't always experience as a Beat and gained maturity as she learned to trust others and that not everything will go the way you think.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
An exciting and dangerous middle grade adventure in the 1950's. Fool's Errand picks up soon after book 1, The Beat of Ruby's Street leaves off and I would highly encourage reading that first in order to get to Ruby. Through Ruby, I learned a little more about America's hidden history of the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood Blacklist that Sophie's mom was placed on. Ruby's adventure was also a coming-of-age journey for her where she expanded out of the Beat society and learned that her actions had consequences. Ruby also learned more of the rules of society that she didn't always experience as a Beat and gained maturity as she learned to trust others and that not everything will go the way you think.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
