Ruby Holler - Hardcover

Sharon Creech

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0747556172 ISBN 13: 9780747556176

Publisher: BLOOMSBURY, 2002

Synopsis

Twin brother Dallas and Florida are the most headachy children in the orphanage. Therefore, they are always alternatively adopted by the orphanage and the fostering family. Some people who consider themselves kind-hearted will impatiently send them back to the orphanage within three days; some who want to adopt the twin brother only aim at saving the money paid to the workers they hired through cruelly employing the cheap labor of these two children. Gradually, these two kids lose their faith on the adults and dream of running away from this prison-like place. As Tina and Sery come to their life, the cynic Florida slowly knows how to love people around him after he experiences a life-and-death trouble, and Dallas who is in daydreams all day long learns to face up to the reality. With the vivid and intriguing plot, this story has received wide popularity among the readers and won the Carnegie Medal at the year of 2003.

About this title

Review:

Having suffered through a string of appalling foster homes (the spitting Cranbepps; scary, toothless Mr. Dreep who locked them in his cellar; and the mean Burgerton boys), 13-year-old orphan Dallas and his twin sister, Florida, have pretty much given up on ever finding a happy home. So when an eccentric older couple enters their lives, providing such adventures as a river expedition, a treasure hunt (of sorts), and a whole lot of remarkable meals: "beat-the-blues broccoli," "anti-cranky crumpets," and "getting-used-to-kids- again stew," the twins take a while to warm up. Florida's language teems with outrageous, telling negativity--everything is "putrid"--and even dreamy Dallas is inclined to bouts of doubt. But warm up they do, to the continual delight of readers of all ages.

Sharon Creech, author of Newbery Medal winner Walk Two Moons and Newbery Honor book The Wanderer, is in fine form with her hilarious yet poignant novel about downtrodden siblings who refuse to be squished altogether. The perfectly happy ending is somewhat predictable, but readers who have fallen in love with each quirky character won't mind a bit. (Ages 8 to 13) --Emilie Coulter

From the Back Cover:

"Trouble Twins" Dallas and Florida have been shuffled between foster families and the orphanage all their lives. All they want is a loving place to call home, but they are mistrustful that one exists for the likes of them.

Tiller an Sairy are a sweet couple who are each restless for one more big adventure while their bodies are still spry enough to paddle a canoe or climb a mountain. Their own children have grownup and moved away, so they're each looking for someone to help them and keep them company on their last exciting journey.

And Ruby Holler is the beautiful, mysterious place that changes all of their lives forever. When Tiller and Sairy invite Dallas and Florida to stay with them and keep them company on their adventures, the magic of the Holler takes over, and the two kids begin to think that maybe, just maybe, the old folks aren't that bad . . .

Filled with humor, poignancy, cookies and treasure maps, Newbery Medal winner Sharon Creech's Ruby Holler is a delightful book about a special place where it's never to late to love -- or be loved.

About this edition

• Publisher: BLOOMSBURY
• Publication date: 2002
• ISBN 10: 0747556172
• ISBN 13: 9780747556176
• Binding: Hardcover