Common Sense Media Review
By Carrie Kingsley
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Spirited Ruby faces changing family, friends in fun series.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 7+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In the RUBY LU series, spirited and fabulous 8-year-old Ruby's life is turned upside down when her cousin, Flying Duck, emigrates from China to live with her. Ruby loves the idea of having a new friend, but when Flying Duck's family is there, Ruby's family stops speaking English at home. And, since Flying Duck is deaf, Ruby has to try even harder to help her fit in with the group of friends on 20th Avenue South, at the swim lessons Ruby already hates, and at school. Then there's Ruby's little brother, Oscar, whom she loves -- except when he's getting into her stuff or telling her secrets. But he's a great passenger when she decides to drive the family car to Chinese school early one Saturday morning ...
Is It Any Good?
The message throughout this series -- always try to be a good person and do the right thing, even when it's hard -- is rock solid. And it's reinforced with silly adventures, tough circumstances, and poignant moments. Ruby's situations are relatable -- she's terrified of swim lessons, sometimes picks fights with her friends because she's upset about something else, and wants to do her best but doesn't always know how. Ruby's multicultural neighborhood and immigrant family bring a refreshing perspective that's often missing in children's books.
However, the writing in the Ruby Lu series might not grab reluctant readers, especially those who don't read the series installments in order. The later books don't describe the characters very well, so the premise could be confusing.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about immigration and multigenerational families like the ones in the Ruby Lu series. When Flying Duck's family moves in with Ruby Lu's family, what does everyone do to help the new situation to work? What would you want to do if you were Ruby?
Have you ever been nervous in new situations? What can you do to stop being nervous?
Have you been in a situation where it was hard to do the right thing? How did you decide what to do?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrators : Stef Choi , Anne Wilsdorf
- Genre : For Beginning Readers
- Topics : Adventures , Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Atheneum
- Publication date : March 1, 2004
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 10
- Number of pages : 98
- Available on : Paperback, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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