Ruby Lee and Me

I recently read RUBY LEE & ME by Shannon Hitchcock, a fellow #MGGetsReal author. Sarah Beth has just found out she has to move (which will mean a new school). Her sister, Robin was hit by a car and injured badly. Because she was watching Robin, Sarah blamed herself. While her parents spent time at the hospital with her sister, Sarah stayed with her grandparents. In addition to her guilt, she is very nervous about being the new girl in school. Her friend, Ruby Lee who is African American is nervous about integrating into Sarah Beth’s (white) school. In addition to that, they will be in the same class taught by Mrs. Smyre, the first African American teacher in their town. When they were younger their friendship was so easy but now they are trying to figure out if they can still be friends at school. Only there is no simple, easy solution in such a difficult, scary time.Ruby Lee and Sarah have a horrible argument right before school begins, which may end their friendship. Once Sarah’s sister returned home, Sarah focused on ways to make things up to her. Sarah Beth has to work through her guilt, and figure out how her friendship with Ruby Lee can be mended even though they are like “two mismatched socks.” In the midst of this Sarah Beth discovers her courage in the ability to help others.In the author’s notes she mentions how her school’s first African American teacher, Mrs. Porter taught her how to read. In addition to that, her own sister was hit by a car. However, unlike Sarah she was only 8 and not babysitting. I loved that she included pictures of her own sister, her teacher Mrs. Porter, her Granny, and even Surelick!The author gave Sarah Beth “the knowledge and the courage she wished she had at that age, and wishes for her readers”An important book about friendship and courage at a time when events seemed insurmountable and as 12-year-olds they weren’t sure how to make a difference. Yet, they work towards showing others that they are all the same on the inside, regardless of how different they may look on the outside. Something we still need to be reminded of today.

Shannon Hitchcock's Ruby Lee And Me is a story woven throughout with the cords of courage and forgiveness. Seen through the eyes of a twelve-year-old girl, Sarah Beth, who struggles to forgive herself for her sisters accident, it will touch the hearts of young and old alike. Set in a small, southern community in the turbulent sixties, it is a book for those of us who remember those times, as well as for the young person who needs to understand that part of our nation's past. A perfect book for classrooms, bookclubs, and discussion groups, as well as for pure enjoyment.

Set in the south in the 1960’s, RUBY LEE & ME captures a time when being friends was complicated when the color of your skin didn’t match. Sarah Beth and Ruby struggle to understand this and they watch their grandmothers do the same. Being friends should be easy, shouldn’t it? It was a question I kept asking myself too.A book about confusion and guilt, about bravery and forgiveness, RUBY LEE & ME offers valuable perspective for any classroom and any family looking to better understand diversity.

This is a must-read book about many interwoven topics: friendship, family, grieving set in a time of integration in the south. The characters are strong, the flow of the story makes children and adults want to find out what happens. Simply a beautiful book! I picked up a copy for my children on display at the library (the cover is pretty) but then I bought a copy. The author's photographs at the end give are a special touch.

This book should be an award winner! I thoroughly enjoyed the two simultaneous story lines, which take me back to childhood days in the South. Neighbors seemed like extended family, and playmates like siblings. A time of change and a time when life seemed to have a lower pace. This will be a book young readers can be excited about. I look forward to more from this author.