Ruby Red Paperback – May 31, 2010

A good lesson for us all about overcoming adversity in life as well as a look at another time and culture that we may have been unfamiliar with. This would be a delightful and informative read-aloud for 2nd grade and up. It speaks about both historical times and to strength of the character. Ruby the indomitable, despite being an orphaned African-American motherless child in oppressive times just doesn't give up. A good lesson on the darker side of history without being morbid, and to strength of character in the face of santioned adversity. I highly recommend this as an A+ read for boys and girls everywhere, rich and poor, and people of all color.

Set in the 1920s, this is a poignant story of a young orphaned African American girl who lives as a servant in a rich white household in New York City. Disaster strikes not once but twice, sending Ruby back onto the streets to live and fend for herself during the harsh winter. Freezing cold and at death's door, Ruby is discovered and taken to an orphanage where she recovers. When springtime arrives, the children are readied for their trip on the Orphan Train that will take them west to find new homes and help pioneer families settle America. Ruby desperately wants to go too but she is told the train is for only white children. At the last minute Ruby decides no way will she be left behind and makes a break for the train as it leaves the station. Ruby is unexpectedly helped onboard by a woman of color. Beautifully and artfully written with vivid descriptions, the author Robin Jansen Shope wraps the story of Ruby Red around you. Immediately I connected to her. I can't forget Ruby. Her indomitable spirit, her spunk, her ability to see the best in others--she grabbed my heart from the beginning. I enjoyed the rich prose and taking the journey to find a place to belong--a place called home, with Ruby.

What if dark skinned children had been able to ride the orphan trains?What impact would those children have had on the communities they landed in?Robin Shope seems to ask those questions and the result is the story of Ruby Red. Ruby rode the orphan train by accident, but it changed her life and the lives of those who met her.How did the other children treat her? How did the folks who met the train to take home a child to love as part of the family, or to take home farm hands react to the dark skinned child?Ruby meets well rounded characters who possess both strengths and flaws in her adventures. This story is well worth reading.

A wonderful read! This story of the life of a little girl named Ruby Red tugs at your heart and brings tears to your eyes. Ruby is a lonely girl forced to survive at times using her wiles and at other times with the help of others. Her life is filled with misfortune. fear, disappointment and hope. Ruby possesses an inner strength even she does not realize she has.

I just returned from a brief time travel adventure to New York City and Oskaloosa, Oklahoma with a couple of stops in between. The travel clock was set for sometime in the 1920s (It isn't that finely tuned) and I spent about four hours over two days. At least that's what MY clock told me. I embarked on this journey at the behest of a good friend and I must say I had a pleasant time. I followed the adventures of a feisty little girl with a bit of an attitude named Ruby. From the cold caverns of New York City to the spacious surroundings of the Oklahoma plains, Ruby had more on her plate by age twelve than many youngsters have in a lifetime. It might have been the time warp compression. I suggest you pack your emotional suitcase, wind your own personal time travel clock and visit Ruby and her family, friends, acquaintances and some not-so-friendly folks of the 20s. Take a friend, young OR old with you as there is plenty in Ruby's tale to enthrall and captivate all. RUBY RED. An adventure with heart, sorrow, wisdom and hope. My credentials? University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, BA in Theatre, retired Navy office with two beautiful daughters and two very precocious granddaughters. I can relate to Ruby. I think you will too.

A great read! Ruby is an endearing character who takes you right into the brutal racial struggles of America in the 20's. In Jansen's brilliant conception we learn about the history we all share.

As I opened to the first page, I wasn't sure what to expect of this "young-adult" fiction novel. Being a middle-aged former teacher, I hadn't read a young-adult book since reading to my classroom years ago. I was captivated by chapter one. Ruby Red comes alive with vibrant characters and compelling subject matter. Set in the 1920's, Ruby Red is an African-American orphan girl who boards a "white" orphan train in hopes of finding adventure. In the midst of tragedy and hardship, she finds healing and love in the most unlikely places. I can't wait for the rest in this series. I will be reading them all!

From the first few paragraphs, I was transported back in time to the streets of New York all the way to the Kansas prairie. Ruby like her name a precious gem. "Ruby Red", not destined to be a library donation, but a treasured favorite to my book collection. As an avid reader of everything from Ernest Hemingway to Francine Rivers, Robin Shope holds her own with the best. Great book Robin!! Not just for the young adult. Everyone will love this book!