LitPick Review
Life can change in an instant. For twelve-year-old Ruby Denton, it changed the moment her mother was deployed to Afghanistan as an Army nurse. Ruby and her family must leave their comfortable life and move in with her grandmother. Now, Ruby must adjust to a new school and deal with the loss of her best friend. To make life even more complicated, the new school librarian seems to know a secret about her family. Vulnerable and missing her mother, Ruby finds solace in her private lists and unwavering faith. Ruby’s world is turned upside down when her mother is injured, and Ruby must face her worst fears and come to grips with a long-held family secret. Set against the backdrop of a military family, this story highlights the resilience of a young girl facing challenges beyond her years
Opinion:
Author Mary Mager weaves in humor at just the right moments, making Ruby’s List an utterly wonderful read with heartwarming themes and compelling characters. Centered around family and friendship, Ruby's List follows the ups and downs of these relationships, demonstrating how unshakable bonds can make “all the difference.” The setting is the present-day Midwest, but the cast of characters is so relatable, this story could easily take place anywhere in twentieth-century America. Afterall, who hasn’t known a tenacious Ruby or a self-absorbed Christy. With masterful stealth, Mager builds suspense before revealing an unpredictable family secret. Amidst flawed but relatable adult family members, the heartwarming conclusion is made all the more genuine. And through Ruby's unwavering faith, Mager leaves readers with the belief that hope is mighty and even the most broken relationships can be mended. With its eye-catching cover, Ruby’s List is a must read for fans of heartwarming and uplifting stories.
