One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies
Bibliography
Sones, S. (2013). One of those hideous books where the mother dies. Simon & Schuster.
Sones, S. (2013). One of those hideous books where the mother dies. Simon & Schuster.
Critical Analysis
Sonya Sones introduces us to Ruby in this novel in verse. The limited word count allows Sones to be straightforward and thought provoking. Sones is able to provide a well-developed plot and characters. Readers are able to feel Ruby’s angst as she travels across the country to live with a father she has never met but seen on the big screen. Heartbroken after her mother’s death, Ruby is forced to leave behind everything she’s ever known. While moving to L.A. to live with a movie star might be every teen girl’s dream, Ruby is not excited about any of it. In the poem titled “I didn’t Want to Get on This Plane,” Ruby states that she doesn’t want to get off the plane and how as she does get off she spots “the sperm donor himself.” She slowly warms up to life in a place that rarely has rain, or clouds, or Fall colors. Ruby also warms up to her father, Whip. Her resentment is slowly fading away as she learns of her father’s love for her mother and the reason he’s been MIA for so long.
While I do not normally choose books that have anything to do with poetry, I really enjoyed this book. The novel in verse makes it a quick read but still enjoyable. The verse becomes Ruby’s voice which allowed me to be able to relate to Ruby and her struggles.
Sonya Sones introduces us to Ruby in this novel in verse. The limited word count allows Sones to be straightforward and thought provoking. Sones is able to provide a well-developed plot and characters. Readers are able to feel Ruby’s angst as she travels across the country to live with a father she has never met but seen on the big screen. Heartbroken after her mother’s death, Ruby is forced to leave behind everything she’s ever known. While moving to L.A. to live with a movie star might be every teen girl’s dream, Ruby is not excited about any of it. In the poem titled “I didn’t Want to Get on This Plane,” Ruby states that she doesn’t want to get off the plane and how as she does get off she spots “the sperm donor himself.” She slowly warms up to life in a place that rarely has rain, or clouds, or Fall colors. Ruby also warms up to her father, Whip. Her resentment is slowly fading away as she learns of her father’s love for her mother and the reason he’s been MIA for so long.
While I do not normally choose books that have anything to do with poetry, I really enjoyed this book. The novel in verse makes it a quick read but still enjoyable. The verse becomes Ruby’s voice which allowed me to be able to relate to Ruby and her struggles.
Review Excerpts
From Publishers Weekly:
“Sones gives the audience clear signals of what Ruby can't allow herself to take in. Readers will accept some melodrama because, even with a few contrivances, Ruby's voice conveys genuine emotions.”
From Teen Ink:
“The book follows Ruby through a tough long-distance relationship with her boyfriend and best friend, as well as following her through the difficulty of starting a new school. But, the main conflict of the book surrounds Ruby’s relationship with her father. The book was enjoyable, but light. It had parts that were quite humorous.”
“Sones gives the audience clear signals of what Ruby can't allow herself to take in. Readers will accept some melodrama because, even with a few contrivances, Ruby's voice conveys genuine emotions.”
From Teen Ink:
“The book follows Ruby through a tough long-distance relationship with her boyfriend and best friend, as well as following her through the difficulty of starting a new school. But, the main conflict of the book surrounds Ruby’s relationship with her father. The book was enjoyable, but light. It had parts that were quite humorous.”
Connections
This novel would work well in a high school classroom. Students would be able to identify plot, characters, and conflict.
This novel could also be used as an introduction to journaling. Students can read the novel and begin journaling during time in class.
This novel would work well in a high school classroom. Students would be able to identify plot, characters, and conflict.
This novel could also be used as an introduction to journaling. Students can read the novel and begin journaling during time in class.
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