Ruby

by Lois Stankorb

Ruby is a story of creative nonfiction about slaves who were freed in 1854 before the Civil War and who started an encampment at Indian Run, a very small village in far Western Pennsylvania. Ruby is a composite character because nothing is known of individual slaves, but historically the story is correct. The encampment and all its hardships, the doctor who freed his slaves in Virginia and the abolitionist in Pennsylvania who helped them find a place to live were very real. Like many Pennsylvania freed slaves, Ruby had a romance with an American Indian man. When the camp broke up after the Civil War, her best friend taught her to read and write. LifeÕs trials and basic survival drove her to become a businesswoman designing hats (becoming one of few women entrepreneurs of her era).

168 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

Reviews

[Roy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely fantastic read and author,so very sad that she has now passed away,read all of her books,so very sad but also uplifting

[Bambola]

Sorry, just couldn't get interested enough to care about these characters or what happened to them.

[Petrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mix of comedy/tradegy set in pre-war Townhead in Glasgow.

[Janetbain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favourite Meg Henderson book but I do like reading about places I know and I did learn a little social history so I did enjoy this book.

[Grizzly Lumberjacks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book for its evocation of Glasgow in the 30's and 40's. Again I would have rated it a 3 and a half rather than four stars otherwise.