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Ruby Goldberg's Bright Idea
Ruby wants first prize at the fifth grade science fair—and she thinks her quirky, creative, Rube Goldberg–esque invention is just the way to get it!
Ten-year-old Ruby Goldberg is determined to win her school science fair and beat her nemesis Dominic Robinson. She’s snagged second place for the last two years, and she’s set on claiming first prize. The only trouble is that Ruby has no ideas. When her grandfather’s beloved basset hound dies, Ruby thinks of the perfect thing that will cheer him up and win her first place—an innovative, state-of-the-art, not-to-be-duplicated Ruby Goldberg invention!
Before long Ruby is so busy working on her idea that she ignores everything else in her life, including her best friend, Penny. And what started out as simple turns into something much more complicated! Can Ruby get her priorities—and the mechanisms of her project—in order before it’s too late?
Ten-year-old Ruby Goldberg is determined to win her school science fair and beat her nemesis Dominic Robinson. She’s snagged second place for the last two years, and she’s set on claiming first prize. The only trouble is that Ruby has no ideas. When her grandfather’s beloved basset hound dies, Ruby thinks of the perfect thing that will cheer him up and win her first place—an innovative, state-of-the-art, not-to-be-duplicated Ruby Goldberg invention!
Before long Ruby is so busy working on her idea that she ignores everything else in her life, including her best friend, Penny. And what started out as simple turns into something much more complicated! Can Ruby get her priorities—and the mechanisms of her project—in order before it’s too late?
144 pages, Hardcover
First published December 31, 2013
6 people are currently reading
126 people want to read
About the author
Anna Humphrey
29 books112 followersAnna Humphrey is the author of Rhymes with Cupid (HarperTeen, 2010), Mission (Un)Popular (Disney/Hyperion Books for Children, 2011), Ruby Goldberg's Bright Idea (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2014) and Clara Humble & the Not-So-Super Powers (OwlKids Books, 2016)—all books for young readers. She lives in Kitchener, Ontario with her husband and kids.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 27, 2021
This book is nerdy, clever, sad, poignant and touching. My son loved it in first grade and we are rereading now. Trigger warning: A pet dies peacefully in this book in the early part. The death is the impetus for the Rube Goldberg design.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 29, 2020
Rounded up from 3.5--a nice story and a good read-aloud. See http://www.eatreadandbemommy.com/2020... for details!
February 26, 2023
I loved this charming early reader about a girl with ADD who invents a machine to help her grandfather.
November 14, 2019
“Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea” by Anna Humphrey is an engaging STEM-focused chapter book featuring adorable characters, crazy inventions, and thoughtful messages about competition, true friendship, and the power of cooperation.
The main character Ruby is an energetic fifth-grader, who loves inventing things and talking about cool facts. Her teacher, Ms. Slate, doesn’t appreciate it so much when kids invent or talk during shared reading time, and basically any other class. But what can Ruby do when ideas simply rush into her brain and fill it up that she can’t focus on anything else?
Not surprisingly, Ruby’s favorite thing of the year is her school science fair. Despite winning silver and bronze medals at the last two science fairs, the little inventor is determined more than even to win the gold medal this time! Inspired by an idea from her amazingly patient best friend, Penny, Ruby embarks on an adventure to invent a totally awesome device, a Rube Goldberg machine.
The only problem: she struggles to decide what this machine should do. After all, a really good science project shouldn’t just be an impressive chemical reaction or a series of observations. It should improve people’s lives somehow. And the opportunity doesn’t wait for too long to present itself. When Ruby’s grandfather’s beloved dog suddenly dies, Ruby gets an idea that the machine should take over some of the dog’s tasks, which would hopefully make her grandpa feel better. But before long, she realizes that building such a complex Rube Goldberg machine is not as easy as she first thought, and she’d probably have to team up with her biggest competitor to make it happen.
I really liked how supportive Ruby’s family was toward her chaos-causing science experiments.
In the end, Ruby learns that, although science is awesome, what matters most is all the good people in her life. All little inventors will surely fall in love with Ruby and her wild creativity!
The main character Ruby is an energetic fifth-grader, who loves inventing things and talking about cool facts. Her teacher, Ms. Slate, doesn’t appreciate it so much when kids invent or talk during shared reading time, and basically any other class. But what can Ruby do when ideas simply rush into her brain and fill it up that she can’t focus on anything else?
Not surprisingly, Ruby’s favorite thing of the year is her school science fair. Despite winning silver and bronze medals at the last two science fairs, the little inventor is determined more than even to win the gold medal this time! Inspired by an idea from her amazingly patient best friend, Penny, Ruby embarks on an adventure to invent a totally awesome device, a Rube Goldberg machine.
The only problem: she struggles to decide what this machine should do. After all, a really good science project shouldn’t just be an impressive chemical reaction or a series of observations. It should improve people’s lives somehow. And the opportunity doesn’t wait for too long to present itself. When Ruby’s grandfather’s beloved dog suddenly dies, Ruby gets an idea that the machine should take over some of the dog’s tasks, which would hopefully make her grandpa feel better. But before long, she realizes that building such a complex Rube Goldberg machine is not as easy as she first thought, and she’d probably have to team up with her biggest competitor to make it happen.
I really liked how supportive Ruby’s family was toward her chaos-causing science experiments.
In the end, Ruby learns that, although science is awesome, what matters most is all the good people in her life. All little inventors will surely fall in love with Ruby and her wild creativity!
December 19, 2016
When her grandfather's dog dies, 5th grader Ruby Goldberg decides to build a Rube Goldberg machine to help her grandfather bring in the newspaper and find his slippers. She is convinced her invention will win her the gold in the upcoming science fair, but does not consider how her constant drive to succeed might alienated those whom she loves.
Though it is very true that children's literature needs more books about science-minded kids (and especially girls), it does not really need yet another typical science fair story. Very little happens in this book that hasn't been covered by others of its type, and the writing isn't special enough to breathe life into tired material. Ruby's personality is endearing, but the story reads as though the author followed an outline for writing kids' novels, simply checking off boxes as she put each required element onto the page. The biographical information about Rube Goldberg that appears throughout the story is perhaps the book's most interesting feature, but sadly, it's not enough to save this largely forgettable novel.
Though it is very true that children's literature needs more books about science-minded kids (and especially girls), it does not really need yet another typical science fair story. Very little happens in this book that hasn't been covered by others of its type, and the writing isn't special enough to breathe life into tired material. Ruby's personality is endearing, but the story reads as though the author followed an outline for writing kids' novels, simply checking off boxes as she put each required element onto the page. The biographical information about Rube Goldberg that appears throughout the story is perhaps the book's most interesting feature, but sadly, it's not enough to save this largely forgettable novel.
May 14, 2014
Gr 3-5
10 yo Ruby, invention queen, is named after the famous Rube Goldberg who made amazingly complicated machines that do really simple things. Ruby wants nothing more this year than to get first place in this year's science fair. She is faced with a dilemma when she realizes she hasn’t got an idea good enough to win, and, when she finally thinks of one, she needs the help of her worst enemy to get it done. Soon, all of Ruby’s time is focussed on her super secret invention, shutting out everyone from grandfather to her best friend. Ruby is a fun character with a great heart. She learns a lesson about priorities and about being a good friend. The tale includes some history on the famous mister Goldberg’s life and inventions. Ruby’s story is great for girls who are interested in science. Illustrations throughout. Recommended to fans of Rube Goldberg Machines and of Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows.
10 yo Ruby, invention queen, is named after the famous Rube Goldberg who made amazingly complicated machines that do really simple things. Ruby wants nothing more this year than to get first place in this year's science fair. She is faced with a dilemma when she realizes she hasn’t got an idea good enough to win, and, when she finally thinks of one, she needs the help of her worst enemy to get it done. Soon, all of Ruby’s time is focussed on her super secret invention, shutting out everyone from grandfather to her best friend. Ruby is a fun character with a great heart. She learns a lesson about priorities and about being a good friend. The tale includes some history on the famous mister Goldberg’s life and inventions. Ruby’s story is great for girls who are interested in science. Illustrations throughout. Recommended to fans of Rube Goldberg Machines and of Ivy and Bean by Annie Barrows.
November 3, 2014
Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea by Anna Humphrey, illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton – Realistic Fiction, middle grade, 3rd grade and up – Well, first off, fantastic. I’ve had many students who get stuck in their heads distracted by their brilliant ideas and sort of lose track of those around them. Ruby Goldberg is a girl who has the best of intentions with her friends and family but often gets lost in her ideas and this creates some terrific conflict. I loved the competition feel throughout the story, the collaboration that comes of someone being a little flexible, and science celebrations throughout the book. Also, the grieving of the grandfather after his basset hound passes away is thoughtfully developed through the book.
February 23, 2014
Who doesn't love Rube Goldberg?
This is the perfect book to share with my class as we head into our own science fair. Unfortunately, many of our kids view science fair as a "have to" instead of cool opportunity to explore the world around them.
Ruby is persistent and enthusiastic. And the most important thing she learns from her science fair experience, is "how to be a good friend."
This is the perfect book to share with my class as we head into our own science fair. Unfortunately, many of our kids view science fair as a "have to" instead of cool opportunity to explore the world around them.
Ruby is persistent and enthusiastic. And the most important thing she learns from her science fair experience, is "how to be a good friend."
August 14, 2016
I don't know what is is about this book, or maybe I'm just feeling hormonal, but I cried almost nonstop throughout.
Perhaps it was Ruby's innocent blundering around with others' emotions. Maybe it was just that a dog died. Either way, I love Ruby and I think she's the older Clementine (Sara Pennypacker) mixed with a little Homer Price (Robert McCloskey).
Perhaps it was Ruby's innocent blundering around with others' emotions. Maybe it was just that a dog died. Either way, I love Ruby and I think she's the older Clementine (Sara Pennypacker) mixed with a little Homer Price (Robert McCloskey).
December 5, 2013
Gotta love this science-minded girl for her name and her determination to win the science fair and make her granddad happier. On top of that, there's a basset hound named Tomato, and what happens to him made me cry on the bus.
August 19, 2014
I really enjoyed this because of how realistic Ruby is. Sometimes kids' characters seem like overdone stereotypes of the class clown or the nerd, etc. but Ruby just feels real, and exhibits the behavior of an average kid that kids can relate to. Plus, Rube Goldberg machines are fun.
September 28, 2014
Ruby Goldberg is fun and interested in science but not super nerdy. I really loved her enthusiasm for inventing things, her relationship with her grandfather, and the real emotions experienced around the death of an important dog (yes, this is a book where the dog dies).
January 25, 2016
Young Ruby is full of ideas, creations, and wonderings that sometimes get in the way of her ability to look beyond herself. A great read-aloud for grades 4-6. Explores ideas of friendship, family, growing up, and accepting others.
March 8, 2014
Best one yet! Such a positive outcome. I loved how Ruby found herself and thought of others over herself. Certainly a character I could be friends with.
October 24, 2014
Girls, science, design thinking, loss of a pet, and a kind old grandpa.
Loved it!
Loved it!
February 12, 2015
Recommended for kids who have outgrown the Clementine books!
February 19, 2015
Loved this book. Love seeing a strong female brain. But also the growth Ruby showed as she realizes winning isn't everything...
February 27, 2016
We couldn't get any takers for this on the RO team. Now I've read it so I can book talk it!
January 11, 2014
Ruby's a great character to cheer for: smart and determined, flawed but willing to learn.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews