Review: The Beat on Ruby's Street by Jenna Zark

This book is set in the 1950s era in New York. It's about a girl who is looking forward to her 12th birthday when she is suddenly taken by a social worker to an orphanage-type place. Ruby has to fight against everything in order to be reunited with her family.


I give this book 4 stars.

1: It is really historical and I learned a lot about the Beat time period. (I'd actually never heard of it before reading this book)

2: While this book is written for middle school children there are things such as the artist mom's choice of painting models, and the fact that Ruby's parents were never actually married, that would make this a book that I wouldn't put in a Christian school.

3: My favorite part of the book was probably the part where Ruby was in the orphanage. I loved how the orphans kept sneaking around through the place at night. And I liked the resolve they made. Just kids trying to make themselves be heard.

4: Is the Beats era a pre-60s/70s hippie era? I really want to know. The school Ruby went to was unconventional. Her dad changed their last name from Tabita to Tabeata. It was a really interesting culture to look at. Ruby calls her dad Gary Daddy-o and her mom Nell-mom.


5: I loved that Ruby got to meet her hero at the end of the book. It was really nice!

                                                    I received this book from Pam Labbe. Thanks Pam!


Also I have no clue why that weird white box is in the middle of the post. I tried to get rid of it. I hope it only shows on my screen, but if not, sorry guys!