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Ruby and the Booker Boys #2
Trivia Queen, 3rd Grade Supreme
Eight-year-old ultra-fabulous Ruby Marigold Booker returns in this reissue of the Ruby and the Booker Boys series by Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor author Derrick Barnes! Brought to you by Newbery Honor author Derrick Barnes, eight-year-old Ruby Booker is the baby sis of Marcellus (11), Roosevelt (10), and Tyner (9), the most popular boys on Chill Brook Ave. When Ruby isn't hanging with her friend, Theresa Petticoat, she's finding out what kind of mischief her brothers are getting into. She's sweet and sassy and every bit as tough as her older siblings. And now, bring on the spotlight! Ruby Booker is ready to shine! Her chance is coming up: There's an animal trivia contest at her school, and the winner gets season passes to the Chill Brook Zoo for everyone in his or her grade! The problem is, she needs a little help...
144 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2008
13 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Derrick Barnes
32 books253 followersWhere I come from, no one dreams of becoming an author.
I didn’t know any famous African American male authors. I didn’t actually meet one until I attended college. I wanted to be a football player, the next Sean Combs, or a rapper; anything that would instantly provide me with the riches I would need to “move my mama off of the block”. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother, the lovely Miss Catherine Barnes, along with my big brother, Anthony, in Kansas City, MO.
My first attempt at writing a real story was in the fifth grade. I think it was about a group of stray dogs trekking across the country to find a magic bone or something. I can’t remember. But I do remember what it felt like when I finished and read it. It felt powerful to create characters, places, and stories that began and ended the way I wanted them to. After that I wrote songs, poems, plays, and short stories. I also read like crazy. I remember tying a shoestring around a flashlight, hanging it on the bar in my closet, and sitting in there reading encyclopedias. My brother thought I was the weirdest kid ever, but that was my way of traveling, of flying, and dreaming.
When I graduated from high school, I worked a couple of part time jobs and attended a local community college. I received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. I went on to Jackson State University, a historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, where I obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. It was there that I experienced life altering events and met people that changed me forever. I met my then college sweetheart and now beautiful wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes. I met life long friends (big up to my brothers JG, Killa Don, and Noir). I also became a campus newspaper advice columnist. All three of those occurrences and acquaintances changed my life vividly, but the column, entitled Brown Sugar, gave me the confidence to write with purpose. I also felt like, for the first time, that I had something to say and that people would listen. Who wouldn't listen to a guy with the pen name "Hershey Brown"?
Upon graduation, I moved back to Kansas City with no intentions of using my brand new, shiny Marketing degree in a drab, corporate environment. With the urging of my wife, I sent a writing portfolio to Hallmark Cards, and was hired as the first African-American man in the history of the company as a staff copywriter in 1999. I worked there for three years. I learned so much about crafting my words, about editing, and about constructive criticism. While at Hallmark, I met so many talented artists and was introduced to my now literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency. Within a month, we had a two-book deal signed with Scholastic. My wife and I also welcomed our first son into the world, Ezra.
My family and I moved to New Orleans, LA so that my wife could complete her medical residency in 2003. While there we had our second son, Solomon, and I landed a deal with Simon Pulse for my first novel, “The Making of Dr. Truelove”. We lived there for two and a half years until we were chased back to Kansas City by the most disastrous force of nature in US history, Hurricane Katrina.
We returned to KC safe and sound. My wife officially finished medical residency and became a full fledged doctor. We had our third son, Silas, and I landed a four-book deal with Scholastic for the ultra popular hit series, “Ruby and the Booker Boys”.
Some days, when I read to my sons or go to schools and read to kids, I can still see that little boy reading encyclopedias by flashlight. Hopefully, a child will meet me and say to themselves, “You know what, it’s possible. I can become an author! I’ve met, and have seen with my very own eyes, a living, breathing author. It’s definitely possible for me.”
It most certainly is.
I didn’t know any famous African American male authors. I didn’t actually meet one until I attended college. I wanted to be a football player, the next Sean Combs, or a rapper; anything that would instantly provide me with the riches I would need to “move my mama off of the block”. I was raised in a single parent household by my mother, the lovely Miss Catherine Barnes, along with my big brother, Anthony, in Kansas City, MO.
My first attempt at writing a real story was in the fifth grade. I think it was about a group of stray dogs trekking across the country to find a magic bone or something. I can’t remember. But I do remember what it felt like when I finished and read it. It felt powerful to create characters, places, and stories that began and ended the way I wanted them to. After that I wrote songs, poems, plays, and short stories. I also read like crazy. I remember tying a shoestring around a flashlight, hanging it on the bar in my closet, and sitting in there reading encyclopedias. My brother thought I was the weirdest kid ever, but that was my way of traveling, of flying, and dreaming.
When I graduated from high school, I worked a couple of part time jobs and attended a local community college. I received an Associate of Arts degree in Business Administration. I went on to Jackson State University, a historically black college in Jackson, Mississippi, where I obtained Bachelor of Arts degree in Marketing. It was there that I experienced life altering events and met people that changed me forever. I met my then college sweetheart and now beautiful wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes. I met life long friends (big up to my brothers JG, Killa Don, and Noir). I also became a campus newspaper advice columnist. All three of those occurrences and acquaintances changed my life vividly, but the column, entitled Brown Sugar, gave me the confidence to write with purpose. I also felt like, for the first time, that I had something to say and that people would listen. Who wouldn't listen to a guy with the pen name "Hershey Brown"?
Upon graduation, I moved back to Kansas City with no intentions of using my brand new, shiny Marketing degree in a drab, corporate environment. With the urging of my wife, I sent a writing portfolio to Hallmark Cards, and was hired as the first African-American man in the history of the company as a staff copywriter in 1999. I worked there for three years. I learned so much about crafting my words, about editing, and about constructive criticism. While at Hallmark, I met so many talented artists and was introduced to my now literary agent, Ms. Regina Brooks of Serendipity Literary Agency. Within a month, we had a two-book deal signed with Scholastic. My wife and I also welcomed our first son into the world, Ezra.
My family and I moved to New Orleans, LA so that my wife could complete her medical residency in 2003. While there we had our second son, Solomon, and I landed a deal with Simon Pulse for my first novel, “The Making of Dr. Truelove”. We lived there for two and a half years until we were chased back to Kansas City by the most disastrous force of nature in US history, Hurricane Katrina.
We returned to KC safe and sound. My wife officially finished medical residency and became a full fledged doctor. We had our third son, Silas, and I landed a four-book deal with Scholastic for the ultra popular hit series, “Ruby and the Booker Boys”.
Some days, when I read to my sons or go to schools and read to kids, I can still see that little boy reading encyclopedias by flashlight. Hopefully, a child will meet me and say to themselves, “You know what, it’s possible. I can become an author! I’ve met, and have seen with my very own eyes, a living, breathing author. It’s definitely possible for me.”
It most certainly is.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 20, 2017
In this book Ruby's coaches wife is the head zookeeper and she came to there school to tell everyone that there was going to be a trivia contest.But only 5th 6th 7th and 8th the kids were not happy so ruby asked to enter the contest it was a yes so the contest was on tv so it was the contest and she one
I
I
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 2, 2019
I read Ruby and the Booker boys #2: trivia queen,3rd Grade Supreme by Derrick Barnes
Ruby is a 3rd grader and Loves trivia cards.One they're is a lady that brings a hole bunch of animals for her and her class to see except for Teresa shes to scared if I were Teresa I would be to.
I Loved trivia queen,3rd Grade supreme because it's funny and nerve braking.In this book it was like nothing was happening to "THE POTS BOILING OVER!"
I recommend this book to people who like the pot boiling over.
Ruby is a 3rd grader and Loves trivia cards.One they're is a lady that brings a hole bunch of animals for her and her class to see except for Teresa shes to scared if I were Teresa I would be to.
I Loved trivia queen,3rd Grade supreme because it's funny and nerve braking.In this book it was like nothing was happening to "THE POTS BOILING OVER!"
I recommend this book to people who like the pot boiling over.
December 23, 2020
We finished the second in the Ruby Booker series, Trivia Queen, 3rd Grade Supreme written by Derrick Barnes and illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton! In this Ruby’s school is hosting an animal trivia contest, but only for 5th graders and older. Where does that leave Ruby, who calls herself the trivia queen, but is only in 3rd grade? Will her older brothers be the only ones who get to compete?
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Like the first in this series, this book is really enjoyable! Ruby is a lot of fun and relatable. One aspect I really appreciated is Ruby’s relationship with her family. Even in such a large family she’s able to have one-on-one interactions with both parents and all three of her brothers.
It’s funny, this book was published in 2008, but there are parts that already feel a little dated. How many elementary school students do you know that would go to the library to borrow a CD-ROM on animals instead to just looking it up online or finding an app? Crazy how quickly technology changes!
There’s two more books in this series, and the next looks to feature a sleepover so I imagine we’ll love it too. This author also wrote one of our current picture book favorites, The King of Kindergarten, so he’s clearly popular in our household!
4.5/5
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Like the first in this series, this book is really enjoyable! Ruby is a lot of fun and relatable. One aspect I really appreciated is Ruby’s relationship with her family. Even in such a large family she’s able to have one-on-one interactions with both parents and all three of her brothers.
It’s funny, this book was published in 2008, but there are parts that already feel a little dated. How many elementary school students do you know that would go to the library to borrow a CD-ROM on animals instead to just looking it up online or finding an app? Crazy how quickly technology changes!
There’s two more books in this series, and the next looks to feature a sleepover so I imagine we’ll love it too. This author also wrote one of our current picture book favorites, The King of Kindergarten, so he’s clearly popular in our household!
4.5/5
June 23, 2021
This is a guided reading level N so it would work well for readers just getting into chapter books but there is complexity here that, I believe, makes it a fantastic read for older children who are struggling readers. I love Ruby's brave spirit, and how the author highlights her supportive family relationships. It's nice to read a children's book marketed to girls that's not about stereotypical friendship drama!
December 23, 2020
Cute! Own voices telling of this fun little story.
June 24, 2021
Cute book for 2-4th graders about overcoming an obstacle. Ruby has 3 older brothers and trying to accomplish something her way.
January 5, 2018
I was really looking forward to reading this. Unfortunately it was just ok.
Perhaps my rating will change after reading it with my daughter. She might love it.
*update*
After reading it with my daughter, it's still a solid three stars not for my reasons but because she didn't find it as entertaining as Dyamonde Daniel for example.
Perhaps my rating will change after reading it with my daughter. She might love it.
*update*
After reading it with my daughter, it's still a solid three stars not for my reasons but because she didn't find it as entertaining as Dyamonde Daniel for example.
March 8, 2021
Great story for the target audience, nice to see black people just being black people. And all the support Ruby gets in preparation for the Trivia contest. I really loved it, sweet story.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2011
This is another cute installment in the Ruby Booker series. She continues to be a precociously smart third grader who here charms her way into the upper school animal trivia contest. The contest itself is a bit unrealistic (and I'm sure you can figure out who wins), but the book overall has a lot of heart and is a great young African American female protagonist that all children should experience.
December 10, 2008
Ruby's no Alvin Ho, but I would definitely recommend this early chapter book to kids, especially kids looking for a hero who looks a little more like they do.
October 6, 2012
good book
November 6, 2015
didnt read it so i dont know.
Read
July 23, 2016Cute story. one error though. It's order not family for the question about the rhinos. Read it to see what I mean.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews