Laura Ruby is celebrated for her incisive exploration of family dynamics and the journey of self-discovery. Her writing, often described as both hilarious and heart-wrenching, delves into the complexities of remaking a family with keen empathy. Ruby masterfully balances humor with profound emotional depth, crafting narratives that resonate on both an emotional and intellectual level with readers. Her literary contribution lies in her ability to capture the unpredictable nature of life and the strength found in human connection.
National Book Award finalist Laura Ruby and New York Times-bestselling illustrator Dung Ho bring us an unforgettable story of the many different ways in which families are made and the beautiful, unknowable, magical things that hold them together. For as long as Molly can remember, it's always just been her and Dad.
It was only a few days ago that Tess Biedermann, Theo Biedermann, and Jaime Cruz, along with a mysterious figure from the past, managed to survive an assault on the location of the latest clue in the Morningstarr cipher-and, in the process, made a shocking discovery about their own connection to this one-hundred-sixty-year-old enigma. Now the friends are divided, [with Jaime convinced that Tess and Theo know the meaning of the photograph from Greenwood Cemetery]. As the city continues to break around them, suddenly solving the greatest mystery of the modern world seems less important than saving their own friendship. The stakes of completing the cipher, however, have never been higher. Darnell Slant, the new owner of all the Morningstarr buildings, knows they hold one last prize: a device that even the Morningstarrs themselves never revealed . . . It's up to Tess, Theo, and Jaime to uncover the Morningstarrs' final secret in a desperate attempt [to preserve the world's balance of power]." -- Adapted from jacket.
National Book Award 2019 Finalist! From the author of Printz Medal winner Bone Gap comes the unforgettable story of two young women--one living, one dead--dealing with loss, desire, and the fragility of the American dream during WWII. When Frankie's mother died and her father left her and her siblings at an orphanage in Chicago, it was supposed to be only temporary--just long enough for him to get back on his feet and be able to provide for them once again. That's why Frankie's not prepared for the day that he arrives for his weekend visit with a new woman on his arm and out-of-state train tickets in his pocket. Now Frankie and her sister, Toni, are abandoned alongside so many other orphans--two young, unwanted women doing everything they can to survive. And as the embers of the Great Depression are kindled into the fires of World War II, and the shadows of injustice, poverty, and death walk the streets in broad daylight, it will be up to Frankie to find something worth holding on to in the ruins of this shattered America--every minute of every day spent wondering if the life she's able to carve out will be enough. I will admit I do not know the answer. But I will be watching, waiting to find out. That's what ghosts do.
National Book Award finalist Laura Ruby returns with the middle chapter in her epic alternate-history adventure-a journey that will test Tess, Theo, and Jaime and change their lives forever.
The pleasures of the novel extend beyond an engaging plot and the thrill of solving a mystery. Infused with humor, it captivates readers with both laughter and subtlety. From National Book Award finalist Laura Ruby comes an epic alternate history series featuring three kids on a quest to unravel a significant mystery: a treasure hunt embedded in the very fabric of New York City. In 1798, the Morningstarr twins envisioned a magnificent city, complete with towering skyscrapers and innovative technology. However, fifty-seven years later, they vanished, leaving behind the Old York Cipher—a puzzle promising unimaginable treasure. In the present day, this mystery has become little more than a tourist attraction. Tess, Theo Biedermann, and their friend Jaime Cruz reside in a Morningstarr apartment, but when a developer plans to demolish the last remaining buildings, the dream of the Morningstarr legacy hangs in the balance. To save their home, the trio must prove the Old York Cipher's existence by solving it. This epic mission to uncover one of the greatest mysteries of their time is filled with twists and turns, making it a compelling read.
Walk down Mamane Street, the heart of Honokaa Town, and step back into the late 19th and early 20th century. Honokaa's single-wall, wooden plantation-era buildings are as much a symbol of Hawaii to local people as Diamond Head is to tourists. The commercial buildings have their emblematic false fronts and totan (corrugated iron) cladding. They contained, and still contain, mom-and-pop businesses that were founded upon personal relationships, required the labor of whole families, and provided for the education of the next generation. The small size of the town encouraged cross-pollination of peoples. Sugar workers, paniolos (cowboys), coffee farmers, and homesteaders all came to Honokaa.
He'd been drawn here by the grass and the bees and the strange sensation that this was a magical place, that the bones of the world were a little looser here, double-jointed, twisting back on themselves, leaving spaces one could slip into and hide . . . Everyone knows Bone Gap is full of gaps - gaps to trip you up, gaps to slide through so you can disappear forever. So when young, beautiful Roza goes missing, the people of Bone Gap aren't surprised. After all, it isn't the first time someone's slipped away and left Finn and Sean O'Sullivan on their own. Finn knows that's not what happened with Roza. He knows she was taken, ripped from the cornfields by a man whose face he can't remember. But no one believes him anymore. Well, almost no one. Petey Willis, the beekeeper's daughter, suspects that lurking behind Finn's fearful shyness is a story worth uncovering. But as we, like Petey, follow the stories of Finn, Roza, and the people of Bone Gap - their melancholy pasts, their terrifying presents, their uncertain futures - the truth about what happened to Roza is slowly revealed. And it is stranger than you can possibly imagine
The narrative explores themes of identity and deception, centering on a protagonist who grapples with the perception of being a liar. As they navigate their inner turmoil and the expectations of others, the story delves into the complexities of truth and self-acceptance. The protagonist's struggle to reconcile their true self with the facade they present to the world creates a compelling tension, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of honesty and the masks people wear in their daily lives.
Eddy is a master at navigating romantic relationships, employing charm and strategy to win hearts. However, as he becomes more entangled in his own emotional web, he must confront the complexities of love beyond mere gamesmanship. The story explores themes of authenticity, vulnerability, and the true meaning of connection, challenging Eddy to evolve from a player to someone capable of genuine intimacy. Through various encounters, he learns that love is not just a game, but a profound journey of self-discovery and growth.
Sixteen-year-old high school senior Audrey is humiliated when a compromising photograph of her is sent around her school, but she discovers a toughness within her that she never knew she had.