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Where Bluebirds Fly
Ruby won't talk about the past. She clings instead to her collection of rocks and stones which remind her of Nanna, her garden, and happier times. When she is sent to live in a residential school for girls with emotional problems, meeting Pearl forces Ruby to remember the very thing she was trying to forget. But with remembering comes the shocking revelation that Pearl might be more than a friend. Where Bluebirds Fly is a moving story about making friends with your enemy, dumping your past, and daring to hope.
202 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 12, 2013
Where Bluebirds Fly is an extraordinary book. It introduces young readers to some of the most difficult issues in life in a sensitive and tactful way, and manages to combine these with a wonderful story. Ruby is a complex character who we are endeared to from the beginning, and through the novel we learn about her difficult past and challenging present situation, and we come to love her.
There's so much about the book that I could marvel at: the characters, the pace, the humour, the engaging narrative voice ... But I think I'll just conclude by saying that as soon as my daughters are old enough, I'll definitely be pushing this book right under their noses.
There's so much about the book that I could marvel at: the characters, the pace, the humour, the engaging narrative voice ... But I think I'll just conclude by saying that as soon as my daughters are old enough, I'll definitely be pushing this book right under their noses.
May 17, 2013
LOVED this book. Wendy Storer is an author who has managed to convince me that pure, simple books about relationships and discovery are just as exciting as ones that deal with the end of the world. Beautifully written. Beautifully executed. A middle grade novel that even adults can enjoy.
July 3, 2014
WHERE BLUEBIRDS FLY is about thirteen year old Ruby, who’s life gets flipped upside down when she is sent to live in a residential school for girls with emotional problems. Not only does she dislike being at the school and away from home and her baby sister, but she feels like an outcast around these new people that she is forced to live with. There are few things that make her happy now. One is her bag of rocks that reminds her of happier times with Nanna. The other is writing letters to her sister, Lucy. These are her only escapes. And despite how horrible life seems to young Ruby, things are about to change even more.
Like Wendy’s other book—BRING ME SUNSHINE (which I loved!!)—this book focuses a great deal on family and strengthening those special bonds. And although this is a very moving and inspiring story, the author throws in some twists that will make you anxious for the conclusion. (It was a rather quick read for me because of how much I enjoyed it.)
Even though Ruby is barely a teenager, she has such a strong personality. As the reader, you feel for her and wish for something good to happen. The other characters are equally dynamic and the relationships that build will truly touch your heart, especially Ruby’s love for her sister (very evident in the letters) and her Nanna.
WHERE BLUEBIRDS FLY is a fabulous book!! It’s heart-warming and emotional from beginning to end. And it just so happens to make several references to “Wizard of Oz,” which is an awesome bonus! This is one of those books that you will read quickly, just because of how wonderful it is. The storyline, the characters, the writing…all elements for a 5 stars book.
Like Wendy’s other book—BRING ME SUNSHINE (which I loved!!)—this book focuses a great deal on family and strengthening those special bonds. And although this is a very moving and inspiring story, the author throws in some twists that will make you anxious for the conclusion. (It was a rather quick read for me because of how much I enjoyed it.)
Even though Ruby is barely a teenager, she has such a strong personality. As the reader, you feel for her and wish for something good to happen. The other characters are equally dynamic and the relationships that build will truly touch your heart, especially Ruby’s love for her sister (very evident in the letters) and her Nanna.
WHERE BLUEBIRDS FLY is a fabulous book!! It’s heart-warming and emotional from beginning to end. And it just so happens to make several references to “Wizard of Oz,” which is an awesome bonus! This is one of those books that you will read quickly, just because of how wonderful it is. The storyline, the characters, the writing…all elements for a 5 stars book.
August 16, 2014
This is the story of Ruby Garnett, a troubled 13-year old who has had to deal with hard issues surrounding her dysfunctional family. These issues were not made explicit early in the story, but you’re given bits and pieces that drop hints of Ruby’s past and how badly the family and relationship dynamics have changed.
The biggest strength of the story is in the way it was set up. It’s like being given pieces of the puzzle in every chapter, but you don’t quite know how to put them together. Then they all just beautifully fall into place. So effortlessly plotted and splendidly written.
I purchased this book on the strength of the author’s second novel “Bring Me Sunshine” and I wasn’t disappointed.
The biggest strength of the story is in the way it was set up. It’s like being given pieces of the puzzle in every chapter, but you don’t quite know how to put them together. Then they all just beautifully fall into place. So effortlessly plotted and splendidly written.
I purchased this book on the strength of the author’s second novel “Bring Me Sunshine” and I wasn’t disappointed.
January 21, 2013
Ruby's had a tough life, and it's left plenty of scars, but her collection of stones reminds her of the good times and what truly matters in her life. Gradually she comes to see that her past doesn't mean her future is bleak, and that even your enemies may turn out to be nothing of the sort.
A lovely story, beautifully written and full of poignancy. Has everything you could want from a contemporary YA novel - an intriguing plot and real depth of emotion. Not to mention that it makes a hugely refreshing change from vampires and dystopia!
A lovely story, beautifully written and full of poignancy. Has everything you could want from a contemporary YA novel - an intriguing plot and real depth of emotion. Not to mention that it makes a hugely refreshing change from vampires and dystopia!
October 4, 2014
This is a beautifully controlled story convincingly told in the first person by Ruby Garnett, a thirteen year old girl whose response to sadness and adversity is to get angry and fight back. Consequently she ends up at a SPECIAL school for girls just like her. During her time there she undergoes a difficult journey: at first still dealing with hurt by living dangerously, but by degrees coming to understanding the complexity of the situations her fellow human beings so often get entangled with, and being able to empathise with them.
The rottenness of behaviour at one end of the human spectrum is personified by her treacherous, lecherous wastrel of a drunken father, and the sheer goodness and kindness at the other end is personified by her Nanna, who shone and shines like a beacon of hope and love in Ruby’s life. In between is everyone else - and the rest of us - doing their/our best to cope, and to learn from mistakes.
Told in a deceptively simple way, the book deals sensitively with some very powerful issues and emotions. Ruby’s progress towards enlightenment is mirrored in the development of her relationship with Pearl, another girl she meets at the school: Garnett meets Jasper, and a stolen amethyst helps to bring about reconciliation.
We have to hope that Ruby’s nanna’s values will always hold sway over those of Ruby’s father. We’re likely in our own lives to encounter both sets of values to a certain degree along the way, and Wendy Storer does a first class job of steering Ruby and her readers in the only worthwhile direction.
This was a very enjoyable read and I recommend “Where Bluebirds Fly” without reservation.
The rottenness of behaviour at one end of the human spectrum is personified by her treacherous, lecherous wastrel of a drunken father, and the sheer goodness and kindness at the other end is personified by her Nanna, who shone and shines like a beacon of hope and love in Ruby’s life. In between is everyone else - and the rest of us - doing their/our best to cope, and to learn from mistakes.
Told in a deceptively simple way, the book deals sensitively with some very powerful issues and emotions. Ruby’s progress towards enlightenment is mirrored in the development of her relationship with Pearl, another girl she meets at the school: Garnett meets Jasper, and a stolen amethyst helps to bring about reconciliation.
We have to hope that Ruby’s nanna’s values will always hold sway over those of Ruby’s father. We’re likely in our own lives to encounter both sets of values to a certain degree along the way, and Wendy Storer does a first class job of steering Ruby and her readers in the only worthwhile direction.
This was a very enjoyable read and I recommend “Where Bluebirds Fly” without reservation.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews