Overview
Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author's grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby's Wish is an engaging portrait of a young girl who strives for more and a family who rewards her hard work and courage.In China, at a time when few girls are taught to read or write, Ruby dreams of going to the university with her brothers and male cousins.
Synopsis
Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author's grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby's Wish is an engaging portrait of a young girl who strives for more and a family who rewards her hard work and courage.
Publishers Weekly
Bridges, in her first book (based on her grandmother's story), handles the conflict between Chinese tradition and young Ruby's longing to attend university with grace and compassion. She sets the scene with a description of "a block of houses, five houses wide and seven houses deep, [once] the magnificent home of one family." Ruby lives in this home with her grandfather (who "did what rich men did in old China: he married many wives"). A tutor teaches any of the 100 assorted grandchildren who wish to learn, but Ruby is the only girl who continues to study while also keeping pace with learning her many household duties. Bridges characterizes the heroine as confident and spunky. For instance, she "insist[s] on wearing red every day"; opposite, Blackall (A Giraffe for France) gives a nod to Chinese silkscreening with four poetic images of her, one per season, wearing various red outfits. One day, her teacher shows Ruby's grandfather a poem she has written in calligraphy: "Alas, bad luck to be born a girl; worse luck to be/ born into this house where only boys are cared for." Grandfather questions her about the poem, and she confides her wish to go to university. Years later, at a New Year's Day celebration, he proves that he was listening. Blackall conveys their special relationship in subtle ways: Grandfather's presence on the balcony, observing Ruby at her studies, a gentle stroke of her head when Ruby is called to Grandfather's office. This understated tale takes Ruby's predicament seriously while still celebrating her love of learning and her joyful personality. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
From the Publisher
"Bridges...handles the conflict between Chinese tradition and young Ruby's longing to attend university with grace and compassion....This understated tale takes Ruby's predicament seriously while still celebrating her love of learning and her joyful personality." Publishers Weekly (starred review)"As 'red is the color of celebration' in China, Ruby should bring joy to many young readers. A lovely read-aloud with illustrations to linger over." School Library Journal
"Ruby's determined character will capture the audience's imagination." The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"...[A] tale of one little girls's dream to become more than was traditionally possible." Kirkus Reviews
"Told in a concise, straightforward style, the narrative provides just enough background for young children." Booklist
"Bridges' lively storytelling turns what could have been just another family story about a feminist in to a gem." San Francisco Chronicle
Publishers Weekly
Bridges, in her first book (based on her grandmother's story), handles the conflict between Chinese tradition and young Ruby's longing to attend university with grace and compassion. She sets the scene with a description of "a block of houses, five houses wide and seven houses deep, [once] the magnificent home of one family." Ruby lives in this home with her grandfather (who "did what rich men did in old China: he married many wives"). A tutor teaches any of the 100 assorted grandchildren who wish to learn, but Ruby is the only girl who continues to study while also keeping pace with learning her many household duties. Bridges characterizes the heroine as confident and spunky. For instance, she "insist[s] on wearing red every day"; opposite, Blackall (A Giraffe for France) gives a nod to Chinese silkscreening with four poetic images of her, one per season, wearing various red outfits. One day, her teacher shows Ruby's grandfather a poem she has written in calligraphy: "Alas, bad luck to be born a girl; worse luck to be/ born into this house where only boys are cared for." Grandfather questions her about the poem, and she confides her wish to go to university. Years later, at a New Year's Day celebration, he proves that he was listening. Blackall conveys their special relationship in subtle ways: Grandfather's presence on the balcony, observing Ruby at her studies, a gentle stroke of her head when Ruby is called to Grandfather's office. This understated tale takes Ruby's predicament seriously while still celebrating her love of learning and her joyful personality. Ages 4-8. (Sept.) Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.Children's Literature
Once there lived, in a house in China built by a rich man and filled with his many children and grandchildren, a little girl named Ruby. Her name came from her love of the color red, which she insisted on wearing every day. At this time girls were supposed to learn only cooking and housekeeping because they would marry early. But Ruby, an outstanding student, resents the favoritism she sees the boys receive. She longs to be able to go to a university, as they will. She tells her grandfather her feelings. To her delighted surprise, on a New Year's Day when she expects she will soon have to marry, she receives from him an envelope containing an acceptance from a university. She will be one of their first female students. The low key of the narrative is matched by Blackall's gouache paintings, which are almost devoid of strong emotion. Architecture, costumes, and the few artifacts are all properly Chinese. Jianwei Fong is credited with the Chinese calligraphy shown. There is a quiet, almost posed quality to the page designs; even the willow tree branches on a garden wall seem arranged by a florist. But Ruby herself is an appealing girl, far ahead of her time. She is shown in a frame next to a photograph of the author's grandmother, on whom the story is based. She is an inspiration, and "every day she still wears a little red." 2002, Chronicle Books for Children,— Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz