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Ruby Reinvented
When Ruby flees Hollywood to escape the fame of her parents, she tells a lie that could ruin the life she loves at her new boarding school in this M!X novel about courage, families, and finding your own spotlight.
Ruby Miller has it made. As the only child of model-turned-TV-host Celestine Cruz and pro-baseball star Zack Miller, she has everything a twelve-year-old girl could want. Well, except for real friends.
After a disastrous birthday party where she discovers her supposed BFFs are only friends with her because her parents are uber-famous, she finds a place as far from fake and phony Hollywood as she can a boarding school in Camden, Maine. In her desperation to distance herself from her star-studded parents and the paparazzi who trail them, Ruby tells her new friends that she’s an orphan. She feels awful about lying, but once she starts, it’s hard to come clean. Plus, now that nobody’s comparing her to her perfect parents, Ruby can finally let her own talents as a dress designer take center stage.
When Ruby finds herself connecting with a cute boy who really did lose his parents, she’s torn between who she is and who she’s pretending to be. And with Parents’ Weekend approaching, she must find a way to keep her secret—without losing her new best friend, the trust of her first crush, and the chance to shine as the designer of her very own fashion show.
Ruby Miller has it made. As the only child of model-turned-TV-host Celestine Cruz and pro-baseball star Zack Miller, she has everything a twelve-year-old girl could want. Well, except for real friends.
After a disastrous birthday party where she discovers her supposed BFFs are only friends with her because her parents are uber-famous, she finds a place as far from fake and phony Hollywood as she can a boarding school in Camden, Maine. In her desperation to distance herself from her star-studded parents and the paparazzi who trail them, Ruby tells her new friends that she’s an orphan. She feels awful about lying, but once she starts, it’s hard to come clean. Plus, now that nobody’s comparing her to her perfect parents, Ruby can finally let her own talents as a dress designer take center stage.
When Ruby finds herself connecting with a cute boy who really did lose his parents, she’s torn between who she is and who she’s pretending to be. And with Parents’ Weekend approaching, she must find a way to keep her secret—without losing her new best friend, the trust of her first crush, and the chance to shine as the designer of her very own fashion show.
288 pages, Paperback
First published November 3, 2015
About the author
Ronni Arno
6 books35 followersRonni Arno is the proud mom to 2 kids, 2 dogs, and several middle grade and young adult novels. Her debut, RUBY REINVENTED, published with Simon & Schuster/Aladdin in Fall 2015. DEAR POPPY publishes with Simon & Schuster/Aladdin in October 2016, and MOLLY IN THE MIDDLE publishes in Summer 2017. In her spare time, Ronni kayaks and drinks coffee, but not usually at the same time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 14, 2015
I'm always talking with moms who are looking for books for their tween-aged girls, 10 through 13, with topics that will interest them but not be TOO heavy in adult themes. RUBY REINVENTED is a perfect read for these readers.
Ruby is a girl who's desperate to live a normal life after growing up the daughter of famous parents. Chasing this goal, Ruby transfers to a Maine boarding school but doesn't tell the truth about who she is, only to find her lies about her background drawing her into ever-deeper trouble. Maine comes to vivid life in this story, with a healthy dose of fashion that was super fun to read.
If you're looking for a great read for your tween, RUBY REINVENTED offers a wonderful exploration of friendship, family, and what it means to be yourself in a fresh, fun voice that's sure to entertain.
Ruby is a girl who's desperate to live a normal life after growing up the daughter of famous parents. Chasing this goal, Ruby transfers to a Maine boarding school but doesn't tell the truth about who she is, only to find her lies about her background drawing her into ever-deeper trouble. Maine comes to vivid life in this story, with a healthy dose of fashion that was super fun to read.
If you're looking for a great read for your tween, RUBY REINVENTED offers a wonderful exploration of friendship, family, and what it means to be yourself in a fresh, fun voice that's sure to entertain.
October 22, 2015
I had a chance to read an ARC of RUBY and I absolutely loved it! I read it in a couple hours because I had to know how everything was going to unfold. This is a page turner right until the very end. This book truly has everything - laugh out loud humor, a ton of heart, and a main character you'll root for as she tries to navigate her way out of a sticky situation. Can't wait to go buy a copy next week!
November 5, 2014
RUBY REINVENTED will publish in 2015. Squeee!
It's not easy when your parents are two of the most famous people on the planet. But when Ruby decides to reinvent herself by leaving Beverly Hills for a boarding school in Maine, life can still get pretty complicated.
I read an early draft of this book and it is as charming as the Maine countryside. Ronni writes dialogue like no one's business. Young readers will fall in love with Ruby.
It's not easy when your parents are two of the most famous people on the planet. But when Ruby decides to reinvent herself by leaving Beverly Hills for a boarding school in Maine, life can still get pretty complicated.
I read an early draft of this book and it is as charming as the Maine countryside. Ronni writes dialogue like no one's business. Young readers will fall in love with Ruby.
August 18, 2015
I anticipated fluff and while it definitely has elements of fluff, the character Ruby has far more depth and insight than I would have expected. Although the description reads like the scenario on the set of a Disney television series, Ruby Reinvented is pleasant and surprisingly well written.
April 4, 2016
Read this BOOK!
November 5, 2015
This book has been sitting in the number 1 spot on my "to read" list on Goodreads for forever. I'm so happy I finally got to read it. What a treat! Ruby has, perhaps, the most famous parents in the world. And when she finds out her so called friends only like her because of her parents, she wants nothing more than to disappear to a place where no one knows her famous family so she can finally be herself.
Ruby is adorable and funny and quirky and everything I want in a main character. This book stole my heart from the first page. Absolutely adorable and wonderful. A must read for every tween, and her mom!
Ruby is adorable and funny and quirky and everything I want in a main character. This book stole my heart from the first page. Absolutely adorable and wonderful. A must read for every tween, and her mom!
November 10, 2015
Ruby is the daughter of two mega-celebrities. The kind of celebrities even tweens know about. While that might seem like a cool life to lead, we learn through Ruby's story that it can royally suck. You see, when your parents are famous, people befriend you just so they can meet them. After learning her best friend is just pretending, Ruby arranges to be transferred across the country, where she tells everyone her parents are dead. We get to then watch Ruby emerge from her cocoon as for the first time, people let her know she is both talented and a great friend. Not only does this book have the perfect message for young girls, but it's a super-fun read!
July 14, 2015
Let me just say, that this has to be one of the best books I have ever read! I was lucky enough to have already read this book before it came out, and I LOVED it! This book is filled with suspense and lots of twists and turns, and leaves you wanting to read more. I cannot wait for Ronnis next books to come out! Please read it! I have read this book more than once (4-5 times!) and I will defidently read it again! Lets hear it for Ruby Reinvented by Ronni Arno!
December 21, 2015
A wonderful middle grade book that I bought for my entire class as a Thanksgiving gift. Real issues that my 6th graders can connect with are dealt with care and authenticity. My most reluctant readers, both boys and girls alike, truly enjoyed following Ruby's coming of age. My students and I appreciated that Ronni Arno respected their intelligence by not having her characters always do the obvious! Very popular in my classroom library.
November 27, 2015
It's sweet and fun. Ruby is a solid main character--she's good at heart and her mistakes make sense for her. The fantasy lifestyle elements (famous, rich parents, boarding school, resources and skill level) all work and would fire the imagination of readers. The story has great themes and I enjoyed it. More important, I would recommend it for its target audience.
July 31, 2015
Fun book for readers enjoying books about friendship and fashion. I was lent an ARC of this book but will be ordering a copy of it for our library this November when it comes out.
August 17, 2015
A really fun book written by one of the funnest (not a word, but really should be) people I know, Fun Ronni!
September 19, 2015
Charming middling novel with hope for a sequel...
November 11, 2015
Ruby Reinvented was a wonderful combination of a light and adorable middle grade read and a thoughtful novel. I would definately recomend.
November 24, 2015
Long, but so detailed. Some parts were so sad
December 4, 2015
A *fantastic* MG debut.
October 9, 2021
Nah, this is not possible!
This is not a book !!?!?
THIS IS A DIAMOND!!😭❤️ This has become a new favourite to me!! I ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT!!💕💕 There were some sad moments but there were a lot of happy ones as well💖💖
It sets in a boarding school. It is about a girl, Ruby, whose mom is a famous actress and her dad is a famous football player. She has a lot if friends at her school but one day, at her own birthday party, she overhears her best friend that she is best friends with Ruby just because her parents are famous. Ruby is heartbroken. She decided to go to a boarding school and decides that she won’t tell anyone about her parents. She tells her new friend Summer, that her parents are dead. And the news flies in the boarding school. But the problem is that Ruby starts to like a boy, Connor, who is an actual orphan. Now Ruby has to set things right and find her true friends💕💕
I loved it!! All those cozy vibes, cute realtionships, dance parties, boarding school and BFF moments!!❤️❤️
I LOVED IT!!❤️❤️
This is not a book !!?!?
THIS IS A DIAMOND!!😭❤️ This has become a new favourite to me!! I ENJOYED EVERY SINGLE PART OF IT!!💕💕 There were some sad moments but there were a lot of happy ones as well💖💖
It sets in a boarding school. It is about a girl, Ruby, whose mom is a famous actress and her dad is a famous football player. She has a lot if friends at her school but one day, at her own birthday party, she overhears her best friend that she is best friends with Ruby just because her parents are famous. Ruby is heartbroken. She decided to go to a boarding school and decides that she won’t tell anyone about her parents. She tells her new friend Summer, that her parents are dead. And the news flies in the boarding school. But the problem is that Ruby starts to like a boy, Connor, who is an actual orphan. Now Ruby has to set things right and find her true friends💕💕
I loved it!! All those cozy vibes, cute realtionships, dance parties, boarding school and BFF moments!!❤️❤️
I LOVED IT!!❤️❤️
January 15, 2020
Be true to you
March 15, 2017
The book Ruby Reinvented by Ronni Arno is about a twelve year old girl named Ruby. She is daughter of two huge celebrities. After realizing that her friends only like her for her parents, she decides to go to a private school in Maine. Once she gets there, she make ups some lies so people don't know who her parents are. In fact, she says that she does not have any parents at all.
I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars because it was really good and had some surprises. The only downside of the book is, it is written for a younger audience. So it did not have as much depth as a book that someone in our grade would read. I would recommend this book for 5th-7th graders. All in all, this is a good book that I would recommend.
I rated this book 4 out of 5 stars because it was really good and had some surprises. The only downside of the book is, it is written for a younger audience. So it did not have as much depth as a book that someone in our grade would read. I would recommend this book for 5th-7th graders. All in all, this is a good book that I would recommend.
December 24, 2015
I've been eagerly awaiting this one all year, and (now that I'm on holiday and burning through* a bunch of my YA to-read list) it didn't disappoint. Ruby, AKA Bea, is the child of a supermodel and a baseball star, but she wants nothing more than to design her own clothing and make friends who like her for who she is...not who her parents are. It's off to boarding school in the wilds of Maine, then, where nobody knows who she is.
Now, a significant chunk of plot is (rather predictably, because this is YA/MG) taken up by Boy Problems, and I am amused to note that Bea creates the same problem that a character in another one of my holiday reads does: she pretends that her parents are dead because she doesn't want to have to explain who they are. It's her guilty secret for most of the book. Reminds me of The Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt, in a way; both characters are pretending to be people they aren't, and the reactions when their friends find out are wonderfully sane, for the most part. (I also loved, I should note, that Bea's parents are quite normal; they're Pretty People, as my ex would say, but they're not portrayed as neglectful or uncaring—just busy. They come through for Bea when it counts.)
Meanwhile, the romance...well, the boy could give Harry Potter (circa Book Five) a run for his money in the Angst department. Oh, he has some cause for it—it's not like he's all 'woe is me they discontinued my favourite hair gel'—but I'm pretty sure he needs to join an emo band, stat. And possibly start therapy. He is (neither surprisingly nor unreasonably) the character to be most upset about Bea's...misrepresentation of fact...and I was pleasantly surprised that that arc wasn't wrapped up all tidily with a declaration of middle-school love.
A quibble, though: a twelve-year-old with no formal training who is capable of making a boned bodice? (Oh—and now that Bea's in boarding school, what's her nanny up to? Sounds like she's just hanging around the house in CA, which doesn't seem practical.) Hmm. Still, all told, an enjoyable read.
*Not literally.
Now, a significant chunk of plot is (rather predictably, because this is YA/MG) taken up by Boy Problems, and I am amused to note that Bea creates the same problem that a character in another one of my holiday reads does: she pretends that her parents are dead because she doesn't want to have to explain who they are. It's her guilty secret for most of the book. Reminds me of The Reinvention of Moxie Roosevelt, in a way; both characters are pretending to be people they aren't, and the reactions when their friends find out are wonderfully sane, for the most part. (I also loved, I should note, that Bea's parents are quite normal; they're Pretty People, as my ex would say, but they're not portrayed as neglectful or uncaring—just busy. They come through for Bea when it counts.)
Meanwhile, the romance...well, the boy could give Harry Potter (circa Book Five) a run for his money in the Angst department. Oh, he has some cause for it—it's not like he's all 'woe is me they discontinued my favourite hair gel'—but I'm pretty sure he needs to join an emo band, stat. And possibly start therapy. He is (neither surprisingly nor unreasonably) the character to be most upset about Bea's...misrepresentation of fact...and I was pleasantly surprised that that arc wasn't wrapped up all tidily with a declaration of middle-school love.
A quibble, though: a twelve-year-old with no formal training who is capable of making a boned bodice? (Oh—and now that Bea's in boarding school, what's her nanny up to? Sounds like she's just hanging around the house in CA, which doesn't seem practical.) Hmm. Still, all told, an enjoyable read.
*Not literally.
Read
January 11, 2016I am always on the lookout for a good boarding school book and when you also throw in my love of celebrity gossip (since Ruby's parents are two of the biggest stars/athletes out there), this book is perfect!
I was instantly drawn into Ruby's world and the authenticity and honesty she possessed. I could understand why she did the things she did and why other characters reacted the ways that they did. She faced realistic consequences and things weren't tied up quick and title, which is just like real life. The other students who went to school with her are all unique and I love the individual interests and personalities that the author created.
As a Language Arts teacher, Ruby Reinvented is the type of book I would want middle school students to read (and I'm sure they would devour it). It is full of heart, real-life relatable problems and a cast of characters that any tween reader could identify with (and many I'm sure they would want to be best friends with!).
I was instantly drawn into Ruby's world and the authenticity and honesty she possessed. I could understand why she did the things she did and why other characters reacted the ways that they did. She faced realistic consequences and things weren't tied up quick and title, which is just like real life. The other students who went to school with her are all unique and I love the individual interests and personalities that the author created.
As a Language Arts teacher, Ruby Reinvented is the type of book I would want middle school students to read (and I'm sure they would devour it). It is full of heart, real-life relatable problems and a cast of characters that any tween reader could identify with (and many I'm sure they would want to be best friends with!).
June 17, 2016
3.5 stars--I liked this one a lot. Ruby had a lot of depth to her, and she spent this story learning something it takes most of us a lifetime to learn. I think this is a great read for tween girls who wish they were someone else, or try too hard to please others at the expense of losing who they actually are (so pretty much every tween girl ever!) I enjoyed Ms. Arno's writing style so much, I read Ruby Reinvented in one day, and I've already pre-ordered Dear Poppy, which will be released in October.
January 6, 2016
I loved this novel on so many levels. It did a great job of drawing me in with the shocking revelation and the very real relationship dynamics of Ruby confronting her parents. Then I was sold on the complication: her decision to switch schools and then getting herself into a pickle that just snowballs. It's a high-interest page-turner with a strong story, delightful characters, and a great sense of humor. Really fun and heartfelt, a thoroughly enjoyable read.
March 8, 2016
I want to be a fashion designer when I grow up just like Ruby does, and I can totally relate to a lot of what happened to Ruby.
August 21, 2016
Good story of what it is like to be the child of famous parents. And I particularly like that the ending isn't just the panacea that telling the truth will right all wrongs.
December 31, 2016
Wow
I really enjoyed reading this though I wish Conner ended up kissing ruby like a lot other wise no complaints
I really enjoyed reading this though I wish Conner ended up kissing ruby like a lot other wise no complaints
April 28, 2022
AHHHHHHHHH
okay, so ii bought this book from my school library, mostly because the cover really intrigued me! I loved the art style and the name kind of caught my attention, so i was like, yk lets get it since there was no other good book. I don't really read the books i get from my library since they arent that special, but hey. this was different.
Every. single. scene. it was just- Wowowowow
The emotions were portrayed magnificently. I also absolutely loved all the details given by the author. I love the settings, the stories, the characters. all of it fits so perfectly.
the reason why i rated it a 5 is because i completely forgot i was reading a book. it was like, watching a movie in my head that didnt dissapoint me. so BECAUSE I enjoyed this book SO MUCH while reading it, its a 5 star for me :)))
If u wanted to read this book, I definitely recommend it!! (coming from a young reader, so I think this is more towards the younger audience! {10-15})
okay, so ii bought this book from my school library, mostly because the cover really intrigued me! I loved the art style and the name kind of caught my attention, so i was like, yk lets get it since there was no other good book. I don't really read the books i get from my library since they arent that special, but hey. this was different.
Every. single. scene. it was just- Wowowowow
The emotions were portrayed magnificently. I also absolutely loved all the details given by the author. I love the settings, the stories, the characters. all of it fits so perfectly.
the reason why i rated it a 5 is because i completely forgot i was reading a book. it was like, watching a movie in my head that didnt dissapoint me. so BECAUSE I enjoyed this book SO MUCH while reading it, its a 5 star for me :)))
If u wanted to read this book, I definitely recommend it!! (coming from a young reader, so I think this is more towards the younger audience! {10-15})
October 6, 2018
I hate it, no, STRONGLY dislike it, when adult readers read books like this one, say, "this was a terrible book...... BUT when I was a kid I would have liked it." Is that true? NOOOOOOOO. This book stinks. Every. Single. Letter. seemed fake and pointless and the fairy tale dream ending made me want to punch whatever editor allowed THIS junk into the library.
February 21, 2023
Ruby Reinvented was very intriguing and quite fun for me and my mom to read together. It kept me wanting to read more and more by the second. Perfect for people who love art, fashion and friendship mixed in with a good amount of suspense. I love the publishing company and the author.
July 5, 2020
Easy and breezy. This publishing imprint definitely keeps realistic fiction light and bright for middle school girls.
Loved that Ruby reinvented herself in Maine! Grades 5 and up.
Loved that Ruby reinvented herself in Maine! Grades 5 and up.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews