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Becoming Ruby
What kind of name is Nan? Or worse, Nanny? It sounds like a goat. At 15, Ruby Nan Larkin is sure of one thing-she wants to be called by her first name now, whether her mother likes it or not.
It's the summer of 1967, and Ruby's mom-never easy to get along with-is more impossible than ever. She buys Ruby a new bathing suit that's so ugly she'd rather swim naked in front of the whole world than wear it. The only good thing about the summer is Daniel, the boy with the scar on his shoulder who Ruby meets at the park near her cottage.
Why does her mother find fault with everything Ruby does, or thinks, or wants? Why can't she just let Ruby be?
With great skill and sensitivity, Becoming Ruby tells a powerful and unforgettable story of a young girl coming into her own-in body, mind and spirit.
It's the summer of 1967, and Ruby's mom-never easy to get along with-is more impossible than ever. She buys Ruby a new bathing suit that's so ugly she'd rather swim naked in front of the whole world than wear it. The only good thing about the summer is Daniel, the boy with the scar on his shoulder who Ruby meets at the park near her cottage.
Why does her mother find fault with everything Ruby does, or thinks, or wants? Why can't she just let Ruby be?
With great skill and sensitivity, Becoming Ruby tells a powerful and unforgettable story of a young girl coming into her own-in body, mind and spirit.
- GenresFictionYoung AdultTeen
208 pages, Paperback
First published March 10, 2003
2 people are currently reading
34 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Stinson
58 books77 followersKathy Stinson, author of internationally acclaimed Canadian children's classic, Red is Best and the TD Award Winner, The Man with the Violin, also writes novels, short stories, and nonfiction for young people of all ages.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
December 28, 2015
I give this book 4 out of 5 stars ***spoilers***
Becoming Ruby has the dense cover, but I would suggest you to take a chance on this becoming of age tale. Kathy Stinson does an impeccable job of bringing emotion, desire and life lessons into one story. Even though Ruby is a girl set in the 1960's, she is extremely relatable.
Kathy's style of writing was tight and concise. Her flow is flawless and draws you into the emotional aspect of the circumstances. Because of the style of her writing, you felt naturally connected and bonded to the protagonist. Her book allows you to feel and visualize every scene and character because of the use of comparisons, similes, and metaphors. Kathy's dialogues not overused and is for bonding, and plot progression. This is a sign of a great Author. I also appreciate the fact when she writes about an attractive looking person she is very descriptive. She doesn't just tell use simple description and the word hot. A lot of YA authors do this, and it just looks amateurish and lazy.
From the very first paragraph, I was pulled into knowing more about Ruby. Ruby starts off as a frustrated fiery teen going into grade 11. She's experiencing hormones and rebelliousness. I believe the plot of the story shows life lesson that are great for YA to read.
Ruby's Mom and Grandma love her so much. Try to help her through the transition of maturing and making decisions. Sometimes the mother is overbearing like a good mother should. She just doesn't want to see her daughter make mistakes she will regret and never forgive herself for.
This story brought a lot of emotion to me. It made me feel everything Ruby was feeling. I love it when books can bond their readers to their characters. I gave four stars because the ending felt unfinished. There should have been a three-page chapter on her seeing Daniel again. This would have tied the whole story perfectly together giving a definite happy ending. When I read the end I felt disappointed. All together though I enjoyed this story. I just need a little more for a meaningful conclusion. I felt like I was missing a chapter at the end.
Becoming Ruby has the dense cover, but I would suggest you to take a chance on this becoming of age tale. Kathy Stinson does an impeccable job of bringing emotion, desire and life lessons into one story. Even though Ruby is a girl set in the 1960's, she is extremely relatable.
Kathy's style of writing was tight and concise. Her flow is flawless and draws you into the emotional aspect of the circumstances. Because of the style of her writing, you felt naturally connected and bonded to the protagonist. Her book allows you to feel and visualize every scene and character because of the use of comparisons, similes, and metaphors. Kathy's dialogues not overused and is for bonding, and plot progression. This is a sign of a great Author. I also appreciate the fact when she writes about an attractive looking person she is very descriptive. She doesn't just tell use simple description and the word hot. A lot of YA authors do this, and it just looks amateurish and lazy.
From the very first paragraph, I was pulled into knowing more about Ruby. Ruby starts off as a frustrated fiery teen going into grade 11. She's experiencing hormones and rebelliousness. I believe the plot of the story shows life lesson that are great for YA to read.
Ruby's Mom and Grandma love her so much. Try to help her through the transition of maturing and making decisions. Sometimes the mother is overbearing like a good mother should. She just doesn't want to see her daughter make mistakes she will regret and never forgive herself for.
This story brought a lot of emotion to me. It made me feel everything Ruby was feeling. I love it when books can bond their readers to their characters. I gave four stars because the ending felt unfinished. There should have been a three-page chapter on her seeing Daniel again. This would have tied the whole story perfectly together giving a definite happy ending. When I read the end I felt disappointed. All together though I enjoyed this story. I just need a little more for a meaningful conclusion. I felt like I was missing a chapter at the end.
September 5, 2013
really liked it, rang true, liked the decisions Ruby made in the end, wondered about appropriateness of content, parent reviewer's opinion strongly against having it in Woodland Library, detected a theme positive to incestuous relationship (?) -- that had not occurred to me, but...she had 3 daughters at Woodland...
December 26, 2012
Take a trip down memory lane. How about the 50's? Communication new tween parents and children almost non-existent. Topics on sickness and death taboo. Ruby a coming of age teen is struggling. Her parents ignore her and she escapes to friends for guidance. The author I assume may have been telling her own story cause I sure could relate.
August 24, 2008
One of the shortlisted titles for the CLA Young Adult Book Award in 2004.
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October 23, 2008this is a very interesting book but my friends thought it was wierd!
September 29, 2012
Kathy Stinson writes beautifully and thoughtfully. She remembers what it's like to be a young adult and skillfully illustrates the excitement and frustrations of that experience.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews