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Ruby's Slippers
Ruby Lee has never downloaded an iTune, heard of Facebook, nor seen a video on YouTube. Raised in rural Kansas with her mom as her best friend, she’s cozy and content. But everything changes when she and her mom move to Florida to care for her grandmother, Nana Dottie. Ruby quickly realizes she’s definitely not in Kansas anymore—the kids in her huge school are totally different…but her new life is not so bad. What is bad is the fifteen-year-feud between Ruby’s mother and grandmother that shows no signs of ending. Will Ruby have to choose between her mom and her new life, which isn’t looking so awful after all?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 28, 2010
21 people are currently reading
481 people want to read
About the author
Tricia Rayburn
18 books398 followersTricia Rayburn lives on eastern Long island with her fiancé and crazy shih tzu. She tries to eat vegetables instead of candy but, in her weaker moments, loves Reese's Pieces. The Melting of Maggie Bean is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
October 31, 2012
Ruby’s Slippers by Tricia Rayburn is about a young girl facing the troubles of moving from state to state. Ruby has lived with her mother all her life, and when Grandma Dottie gets lonely, Ruby and her mother have to move. It’s a big change to move from Kansas to Florida. Ruby has never even heard of email, where in Florida, that’s the only communication device that they use! As Ruby learns how the people at her new school act, she begins to despise the “queen of the school”, Ava Grand. This book is realistic fiction, this didn’t happen, but it’s possible! This book keeps you reading; at least it did for me. I couldn’t put the book down! This selection is strong because you can always predict what’s going to happen next, but it’s almost never what you expected. The author, Tricia Rayburn does a phenomenal job of pulling the reader in. Just by reading the back cover, I was determined to read this book. I like the way the author always compares Ruby’s life to her favorite movie The Wizard of Oz. The author compares Ruby’s red converse, to Dorothy’s ruby, red slippers. This selection is not challenging to read, it is actually sort of easy. Although it’s simple, it’s an amazing book. This book really gives the reader a mental picture of what’s happening. On page 22, Ruby is meeting her grandmother for the first time in a long time. This is what it states: “An older woman in lime green linen pants and a matching floral shirt stands just inside the entryway.” As you can tell from just this sentence, Tricia Rayburn is detailed. I think that this book is going to be liked more by girls than boys, because most boys I know are interested in sports and action packed stories. Although, in this book, it’s not action packed. This story is just one that most people can relate to. Overall, I thought this book was amazing. I prefer realistic fiction over fantasy, because I like stories that can actually happen.
Currently reading
March 22, 2011I can't wait to start thiis book! It sounds very good. I can't believe she hasn't heard of FACEBOOK,ITUNES,AND YOUTUBE!!! I think that's crazy!! I love them all! They are fun and cool. I'm very excited to read Ruby's Slippers! It sounds amazing!! :)
November 8, 2012
In Ruby's slippers Ruby's grandfather dies, she and her mother have to move out. She has to leave her small town in Kansas and her best friend, Gabby. As soon as they arrive at Nana Dottie's house (in Florida), she knows that it's going to be a long four years. Ruby is in high school in Coconut Grove and she is just in time for Citrus Star (a talent show where Luis Lobo is judging to see if a new star is born). Ruby finds herself out of date with a tin lunchbox and cassette tapes. Miss Anita tells Ruby to be part of the most popular girl group that hates her. Read to see if she makes it. Does she get into date and who will she meet?
My favorite character is this book is (of course) Ruby. She is out going and funny. She is also my favorite because of her narration skills. Ruby talks like a teenage girl inside of her mind. Ruby is like my stepsister, Megan. Megan and Ruby are alike because
My favorite character is this book is (of course) Ruby. She is out going and funny. She is also my favorite because of her narration skills. Ruby talks like a teenage girl inside of her mind. Ruby is like my stepsister, Megan. Megan and Ruby are alike because
July 14, 2023
Tricia Rayburn did an absolutely good job in delivering this book to the audience. I love Ruby's authenticity, hardworking and brave characteristics and how she is never fazed by outside influence or the mean girls of Coconut Grove.
Her relationships with Megan and Sam are also heartwarming and wholesome. I like that Ruby is able to form good connections with good people still despite leaving her best friend Gabby in Curly Creek.
I admire that it highlights the mother-daughter rocky bittersweet relationship between Nana Dottie and Ruby's Momma. It's realistic and raw despite it being in a seemingly children's book which I didn't expect it to be.
This was a very quick read for me as I couldn't put the story down.
Apart from that, I adore the Wizard Of Oz constant mentions with it's resemblance to Ruby's Slippers.
It makes me feel that I wish I had my own red converse!
Her relationships with Megan and Sam are also heartwarming and wholesome. I like that Ruby is able to form good connections with good people still despite leaving her best friend Gabby in Curly Creek.
I admire that it highlights the mother-daughter rocky bittersweet relationship between Nana Dottie and Ruby's Momma. It's realistic and raw despite it being in a seemingly children's book which I didn't expect it to be.
This was a very quick read for me as I couldn't put the story down.
Apart from that, I adore the Wizard Of Oz constant mentions with it's resemblance to Ruby's Slippers.
It makes me feel that I wish I had my own red converse!
July 6, 2024
Read with my daughter
It’s a story about Ruby a 7th grader who is moved mid school year to Florida with her momma to live with her grandma whom she barely knows. Her new school is way different than her close-knit community of Curly creek. She finds out she will be thrust into the popular girls singing group for a very famous talent show. The author pulls in ties to the wizard of oz as well as referencing ABBA and the dancing queen.
It’s a story about Ruby a 7th grader who is moved mid school year to Florida with her momma to live with her grandma whom she barely knows. Her new school is way different than her close-knit community of Curly creek. She finds out she will be thrust into the popular girls singing group for a very famous talent show. The author pulls in ties to the wizard of oz as well as referencing ABBA and the dancing queen.
June 26, 2017
Pretty cute good book!
5/5 stars
5/5 stars
October 21, 2017
I loved this book. It was very cute and lovely written.
December 19, 2017
The front cover and name I basically based on "THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ"
June 5, 2018
A cute read! The voice of Ruby is written nicely, she reacts the way twelve or thirteen-year-olds would, and she's very charming.
March 26, 2020
Ruby has just moved to Florida, but the people at her school are not the same as the people in her old school. To top it all off, everything is different.
January 31, 2022
Really good. Teaches you how to be your true self and that you are worth something.
October 25, 2012
Ruby's Slippers
by Tricia Rayburn
Realistic Fiction
352 pages
This book is about a girl named Ruby Lee, who grew up in Curly Creek, Kansas all her life with he mother. She has been friends with Gabby as long as she can remember and was comfortable with everyone around the neighborhood. She enjoys everything, including the movie 'Wizard of Oz', her favorite, and connects her situations to the Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, she has to leave her home to a place called Coconut Grove, Florida. This is where her grandmother, Nana Dottie, lives, because Ruby's grandfather passed away and they have to comfort her. While being there, she is going to a new school called Sweet Citrus Junior High, and makes an enemy with the most popular girl, Ava Grand, on the first day of school. Then it gets even worse, and she finds out about Citurs Star, a talent show where everbody has to participate. She has no choice but to join the group Constellation, Ava's group. They always perform in front of Ava's parents and their friends, which Miss Anita, the 'coordinator' comes to. She finds talent in Ruby and tells her to be the solo instead of Ava. Ruby becomes friends with Sam, the boy who told her about Citrus Star and does the lighting because he is too shy, and Megan, who is in Constellation, and thinks that Ava is her Oz. Her mom, who she calls Momma, is not in a good relationship with Nana Dottie, because Nana Dottie left her in Curly Creek and moved to Florida when Ruby's mom was 18. They have many arguments, and after the last big one, Ruby's mom tells Ruby to pack up everything and leaves for Kansas, planning to ride the bus. Ruby's grandmother, however, insists on her driving them because she says that the bus is very unsanitary, with herself always well-being, eating healthy food and being clean. What will happen? Read and find out!
I think that this book is not time-consuming, although it does have some challenging words. It is easy to follow through and understand what's going on. I really like how she compares and contrasts her situation to the Wizard of Oz, her favorite movie. For example, she says in the last part of the book, "The beginning. The end. And all the colors in between." Which relates to how she likes the beginning, the end, and all the colors in between from the Wizard of Oz.
by Tricia Rayburn
Realistic Fiction
352 pages
This book is about a girl named Ruby Lee, who grew up in Curly Creek, Kansas all her life with he mother. She has been friends with Gabby as long as she can remember and was comfortable with everyone around the neighborhood. She enjoys everything, including the movie 'Wizard of Oz', her favorite, and connects her situations to the Wizard of Oz. Unfortunately, she has to leave her home to a place called Coconut Grove, Florida. This is where her grandmother, Nana Dottie, lives, because Ruby's grandfather passed away and they have to comfort her. While being there, she is going to a new school called Sweet Citrus Junior High, and makes an enemy with the most popular girl, Ava Grand, on the first day of school. Then it gets even worse, and she finds out about Citurs Star, a talent show where everbody has to participate. She has no choice but to join the group Constellation, Ava's group. They always perform in front of Ava's parents and their friends, which Miss Anita, the 'coordinator' comes to. She finds talent in Ruby and tells her to be the solo instead of Ava. Ruby becomes friends with Sam, the boy who told her about Citrus Star and does the lighting because he is too shy, and Megan, who is in Constellation, and thinks that Ava is her Oz. Her mom, who she calls Momma, is not in a good relationship with Nana Dottie, because Nana Dottie left her in Curly Creek and moved to Florida when Ruby's mom was 18. They have many arguments, and after the last big one, Ruby's mom tells Ruby to pack up everything and leaves for Kansas, planning to ride the bus. Ruby's grandmother, however, insists on her driving them because she says that the bus is very unsanitary, with herself always well-being, eating healthy food and being clean. What will happen? Read and find out!
I think that this book is not time-consuming, although it does have some challenging words. It is easy to follow through and understand what's going on. I really like how she compares and contrasts her situation to the Wizard of Oz, her favorite movie. For example, she says in the last part of the book, "The beginning. The end. And all the colors in between." Which relates to how she likes the beginning, the end, and all the colors in between from the Wizard of Oz.
September 17, 2012
Ruby Slippers By Tricia Rayburn 221 pages Realistic Fiction
Ruby Slippers is about a girl named Ruby whose idol is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Ruby believes that there's no place like home. She's very happy living in Curly Creek, Kansas, a place where there's no need for technology and the neighbors are family. But Ruby's mother is taking her and her slippers to Florida. To live with Ruby's Nana Dottie, Ruby's mother as to go and take care of her. Ruby sticks out with her ruby slippers (red Chuck Taylors) among her classmates, and her mother doesn't help when she gives Ruby an ABBA lunch box that sets off the school's metal detector. While emotional problems at home, Ruby tries to make sense of the culture of cell phones and divas while holding onto her life back home, she is challenged by the popular girl Ava, who is furious when Ruby is put in her group for the illustrious school talent show.
This book was a pretty good book because it had a interesting story. Overall this book was a okay and I enjoyed it. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. A time I thought was pretty good was when Ruby had to move to Florida with her mom because I love the mixed emotions going on at that time. I thought from time to time the book was a little boring at the introduction of the people. I thought this book kept my interest most the book. I also like the parts from right before they where going to move and when the first got to Florida. That's my opinion on Ruby Slippers.
Ruby Slippers is about a girl named Ruby whose idol is Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz. Ruby believes that there's no place like home. She's very happy living in Curly Creek, Kansas, a place where there's no need for technology and the neighbors are family. But Ruby's mother is taking her and her slippers to Florida. To live with Ruby's Nana Dottie, Ruby's mother as to go and take care of her. Ruby sticks out with her ruby slippers (red Chuck Taylors) among her classmates, and her mother doesn't help when she gives Ruby an ABBA lunch box that sets off the school's metal detector. While emotional problems at home, Ruby tries to make sense of the culture of cell phones and divas while holding onto her life back home, she is challenged by the popular girl Ava, who is furious when Ruby is put in her group for the illustrious school talent show.
This book was a pretty good book because it had a interesting story. Overall this book was a okay and I enjoyed it. I would rate this book a 4 out of 5 stars. A time I thought was pretty good was when Ruby had to move to Florida with her mom because I love the mixed emotions going on at that time. I thought from time to time the book was a little boring at the introduction of the people. I thought this book kept my interest most the book. I also like the parts from right before they where going to move and when the first got to Florida. That's my opinion on Ruby Slippers.
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November 6, 2011 Ruby is a girl who just loves life and everything in it. Especially The wonderful wizard of oz. Ruby is always imagining herself in the book. But, one day she finds out she has to move away from her best friend to Florida because her grandma fell and they are nervous about her. So Ruby has to start a new school and find new friends. She doesn't fit in well and her mom and grandma are getting into a lot of fights. Will Ruby ever find friends? Will her mom and grandma be nice? Read the book to find out!
I really love this book! I think you will have a lot of fun reading it too. A lot of people move and make new friends so people know how this experience can affect your life, maybe in a good way or maybe in a bad way. But what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. This book is all about getting through tough times and really being hopeful and Ruby will eventually lead herself to the ________ path. But, I guess you won't know what kind of path it is unless you read the book!
I really love this book! I think you will have a lot of fun reading it too. A lot of people move and make new friends so people know how this experience can affect your life, maybe in a good way or maybe in a bad way. But what doesn't kill you will make you stronger. This book is all about getting through tough times and really being hopeful and Ruby will eventually lead herself to the ________ path. But, I guess you won't know what kind of path it is unless you read the book!
March 21, 2016
Ruby's Slippers is a cute, fluffy novel for tween girls to read!
Ruby Lee has lived in Curly Creek, Kansas her whole life. She knows nothing about technology, heard of the Internet, and still listens to casette tapes. Her best friends, Gabby and her mom, are with her almost all day. So when she moves to superposh Florida, everything changes. She makes an enemy of the gorgeous but mean Ava Grand (who I may add, is a stereotypical rich kid with a hoity toity father and lead popular girl) on the first day, and somehow ends up in the Constellation group for Citrus Star, or the school's 'American Idol'.
The Constellation group, consisting of the snootiest, meaniest, most popular girls in the grade, have won twice in a row, and they'd stop at nothing to win a third time ~ so when Ruby crashes in, Ava Grand is not happy. With the help of Oscar, Nana Dottie, Sam and Megan, Ruby learns to fit in and be herself.
I thought that Ruby's Slippers was sweet and realistic, and deals with problems that any tween girl could relate to.
Ruby Lee has lived in Curly Creek, Kansas her whole life. She knows nothing about technology, heard of the Internet, and still listens to casette tapes. Her best friends, Gabby and her mom, are with her almost all day. So when she moves to superposh Florida, everything changes. She makes an enemy of the gorgeous but mean Ava Grand (who I may add, is a stereotypical rich kid with a hoity toity father and lead popular girl) on the first day, and somehow ends up in the Constellation group for Citrus Star, or the school's 'American Idol'.
The Constellation group, consisting of the snootiest, meaniest, most popular girls in the grade, have won twice in a row, and they'd stop at nothing to win a third time ~ so when Ruby crashes in, Ava Grand is not happy. With the help of Oscar, Nana Dottie, Sam and Megan, Ruby learns to fit in and be herself.
I thought that Ruby's Slippers was sweet and realistic, and deals with problems that any tween girl could relate to.
March 4, 2013
Ruby Lee is about as out of touch with modern day technology as you can get. She's never heard of facebook, has only barely accessed the Internet at school much less downloaded a song from iTunes. So when this small town girl from rural Kansas moves with her mother to Florida to live her grandmother, Nana Dotte, in a ritzy neighborhood and attend the very techno advanced neighborhood school, Ruby is a bit shell-shocked. Not only is she leaving her very best friend, Gabby, but she is also leaving her very comfortable and very understated life and replacing it with an unfamiliar fancy new one. Her lack of technology know-how, combined with her out of style wardrobe make her the perfect target of ridicule in her new school. But even dealing with the teasing at school is nothing compared to the tension between her mother and grandmother at home. What happened to make her mother move away to Kansas and can the damage be repaired?
August 30, 2010
Ruby and her mom move from Kansas to Florida to be with Ruby’s swanky grandmother. Ruby has lived simply and off-line up until this point—she couldn’t care less about having an online profile, listening to Rhianna or wearing Seven jeans. She likes to keep it casual by hanging with best friend and even (gasp!) her mom. But when she starts school at Sweet Citrus Junior High, she learns pretty quickly that fitting in isn’t always about selling out. Sometimes it’s about becoming the girl you never thought you could be.
I love books in which the main character, though sweet, is not a pushover or a follower. Ruby doesn’t do anything just because so-and-so does it. She plays by her own rules. And I love that about her.
See where I was when I read Ruby's Slippers here:
http://taylormorris.livejournal.com/5...
I love books in which the main character, though sweet, is not a pushover or a follower. Ruby doesn’t do anything just because so-and-so does it. She plays by her own rules. And I love that about her.
See where I was when I read Ruby's Slippers here:
http://taylormorris.livejournal.com/5...
April 11, 2011
Our current Mother Daughter Book Club selection. To be discussed April 2011!
A very CUTE story from the author of The Melting of Maggie Bean. SO sad when Ruby and her mom moved to Florida. LOVED how The Wizard Of Oz was brought into the story at several places...just perfect:) Loved the differences between Curly Creek and Coconut Grove:) Interesting relationship between Nana Dottie and her daughter and granddaughter. LOVED how the grandma was more technologically saavy than her daughter...LOL:) Good messages and cute story. Definitely recommend for your fourth grade or older daughter!
A very CUTE story from the author of The Melting of Maggie Bean. SO sad when Ruby and her mom moved to Florida. LOVED how The Wizard Of Oz was brought into the story at several places...just perfect:) Loved the differences between Curly Creek and Coconut Grove:) Interesting relationship between Nana Dottie and her daughter and granddaughter. LOVED how the grandma was more technologically saavy than her daughter...LOL:) Good messages and cute story. Definitely recommend for your fourth grade or older daughter!
August 11, 2011
A "fish out of water" tale for girls. The book targets the middle-school age, but I read it to my 2nd and 4th grade daughters for our "read aloud time". (maybe in preparation for a future in middle school?!) There was A LOT in here for discussion time - and we enjoyed talking about the shallow behaviors, different personalities, and even mother-daughter conflicts presented in the book. I also had a good time explaining the imagery and symbolisms connecting the story to "The Wizard of Oz". I did think some of the characters and the story were a bit far-fetched - the "mandatory" talent show run by an over-bearing counselor seems a bit of a stretch to me in ANY public school today.
January 2, 2013
Ruby and her mother leave their home in a small town in Kansas to move to a posh community in Florida presumably to help Ruby's grandmother who recently lost her husband. Ruby has a basic knowledge of computers but has never heard of iTunes and other modern technology this seemed a stretch considering technology is every where but it helped move the story along. Ruby's mother and grandmother have a complicated past making me wonder why they relocated but again it helped move the story along. Middle graders will appreciate the social awkwardness of Ruby as she navigates through the process of being the new kid.
May 11, 2016
One of my favorites when I was younger, this story follows Ruby as she goes from small town to living in the Ritz. Not really just a super nice house in Florida with a rich grandma. Same difference. The book is great because yes, Ruby's family is a bit dysfunctional but they come together to love one another. Gabby and Ruby still maintain best friend status from far away. Ruby can be herself and inspire a new friend to quit standing in the shadows of others. Be strong and yourself is the lesson of the book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 5, 2012
I read this book when I was about 11. And from what I can remember, I loved it. its was one of my favorites.
I loved how Ruby called her mother "momma". Coming from southern states myself, this made me feel warm and comfortable with the book. I really like his the plot deals with a coming of age girl dealing with leaving things behind (best friend, neighbors, etc.). and going onto new things. And without supprise, its hard to deal with. I just love it (:
I loved how Ruby called her mother "momma". Coming from southern states myself, this made me feel warm and comfortable with the book. I really like his the plot deals with a coming of age girl dealing with leaving things behind (best friend, neighbors, etc.). and going onto new things. And without supprise, its hard to deal with. I just love it (:
March 4, 2011
This is a book about Ruby Lee who is a small town girl from Curly Creek, Kansas. After her grandfather dies, she moves with her mother to Coconut Grove, Florida to help her grandmother. Ruby has never seen or heard of iTunes or Facebook. This book is long,confusing, and has weird chapter cutoffs and beginnings.
March 28, 2011
i think this book is really good so far it is about this girl who is moving to flordia becuase of her moms job and she has to leave her best friend well i dibt remember her name but anyway she has to move there and when she lives there she and her mom have to live wiht her aunt that she has never met and her mom has only met once so we will see how that turns out
October 26, 2011
Ruby is not in Kansas anymore. Coconut Grove is a long way from home both physically and emotionally. Ruby is a "duck out of water" who, ust learn to trust her instincts. Although this book will never be considered award-winning literature, it is a very good story that would be great for a mother-daughter book discussion.
July 12, 2012
This book is a great modern day twist on a favorite classic. Florida isn't Kansas and making friends isn't always easy when you are new to middle school. Ruby's Slippers is a wonderful story of three generations of women coming together and learning about life and its struggles from one another. Our July, 2012 Mother/Daughter reading selection.
August 12, 2014
This is my favorite book in the ENTIRE world! I love how it's written in present tense. The amazing words in this story really sold it for me. Also the plot twist is BRILLIANT highly recommended for girls and boys of any age. Also an amazing mother daughter book club because it is all about the bond between a mother and a daughter.
November 1, 2010
Great story about a girl and her mother who move from Kansas to Florida to live with grandma. Ruby does not fit in but has real potential and the guts to work through some rough situations. No flags, just teen angst and a good ending.
November 1, 2014
Ruby's Slippers was a funny and heartwarming story about a girl coming from Kansas to Florida to help her Nana in Florida and all of the changes she needs to make like new friends, new crush, and just how to fit in.
June 18, 2014
This is my favorite book of all time. It relates to my life, which is why I like it. It is funny, sad, happy, and cute. Reading about the struggles of fitting in and learning who are friends and who are not so great. This book is an amazing book that I thought was super great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews