Ruby Lee and Me

by Shannon Hitchcock

When a segregated North Carolina town gets its first black teacher, two girls--one black, one white--come face-to-face with how prejudice affects their friendship.

Everything's changing for Sarah Beth Willis. After Robin's tragic accident, everyone seems different somehow. Days on the farm aren't the same, and the simple fun of riding a bike or playing outside can be scary. And there's talk in town about the new sixth-grade teacher at Shady Creek. Word is spreading quickly--Mrs. Smyre is like no other teacher anyone has ever seen around these parts. She's the first African American teacher. It's 1969, and while black folks and white folks are cordial, having a black teacher at an all-white school is a strange new happening. For Sarah Beth, there are so many unanswered questions. What is all this talk about Freedom Riders and school integration? Why can't she and Ruby become best friends? And who says school isn't for anybody who wants to learn--or teach? In a world filled with uncertainty, one very special teacher shows her young students and the adults in their lives that change invites unexpected possibilities.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Friendship, Historical, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction

224 pages, Hardcover

First published January 5, 2016

About the author

SHANNON HITCHCOCK grew up in rural North Carolina on a 100-acre farm. Her extended family and love of the south are integral to her stories. Shannon is the author of ONE TRUE WAY, (Scholastic 2018), RUBY LEE & ME, (Scholastic 2016), and the Crystal Kite Award-winning, THE BALLAD OF JESSIE PEARL. Shannon's picture book biography, OVERGROWN JACK was nominated for the Sue Alexander Most Promising New Work Award. Her writing has been published in Highlights for Children, Cricket, Children’s Writer, and other magazines.

Shannon currently divides her time between Hendersonville, NC and Tampa, Florida.

Reviews

[Elisabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book! It made me want to bang my head against the wall. First, it's a very sweet book about a preteen, Sarah Beth, and her family. As mentioned in the blurb, Sarah Beth's sister has a tragic accident. The majority of the book deals with SB's guilt and emotions about the accident and how the family copes with it all. There are some major life changes here for SB and her family and I feel as if Hitchcock would have had a perfectly lovely early middle grade novel if she had stopped here. The integration of her new school is hinted at throughout the book, but it's all very vague. Freedom Riders are mentioned as being brave, but never explained. Emmett Till is mentioned, but never explained. You don't just namedrop Emmett Till. In fact, the scene where the "progressive" librarian says, "I won't talk to you about him. One of your parents needs to accompany you to read about Emmett Till" really irked me. What?! This girl is twelve. She asked a question. You're the librarian. You don't have to go into excruciating detail, but explain what happened to him. This child is about to be in a potentially dangerous situation at school because of race relations. Plus, you've missed an important chance to teach all the kids reading your book about Emmett Till. I felt like all these issues were brought up and then skirted around the point, which drove me crazy. And the big selling point for me from the blurb, the new African-American teacher, takes up maybe five pages. A big disappointment.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought and read this entire chapter book TODAY as my birthday present for myself. These days I read as a writer and I loved the book from the very first line,"It was a perfectly ordinary day, until it wasn't." Hooked me right away. I admire the interweaving of plots and subplots, Sarah's guilty over her sister Robin's accident, and Ruby Lee and Sarah's rift in a life-long friendship. Set in the late 60s during integration, the story resonates for me personally as this was my timeline in grade school. My entire 5th grade class at a mostly white Catholic school had to be bussed to a mostly black school downtown since there was no room in our building. I remember mixed feelings and changing friendships, too.
Writers and teachers should also read the Author's Note and explore the primary source pictures from Shannon's own life which enrich the entire story.

[Lindsey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ruby Lee & Me by Shannon Hitchcock is supposed to be a story about school integration, an African American teacher being added to the school and the friendship between Sarah and Ruby Lee. Instead, this book takes place mostly in the summer before the integration starts with the focus being on the accident that injured Sarah's sister, Robin, and Sarah's feelings about it and actions around it with a little bit of the friendship thrown in. The author drew heavily upon her life experience to write this story. After visiting her ailing teacher, she was inspired to write a story about the experience of school integration. As she started working on it, she decided to include the story of her sister being hit by a car around the same time. I think she should have left that out. Instead, I wish she would have focused solely on the school year and what it looked like for Sarah and Ruby Lee to bring their friendship on the farm to the school. That would have been really impactful, but instead, this story danced around the issue by talking about what was about to happen, but without actually exploring it. The end of the book is when we're introduced to the new teacher Mrs. Smyre, and she feels she has to let the students feel her face and hair to grow her relationship with and gain some acceptance from the white students. Ugh, Hitchcock states that this actually happened with her black teacher, so I understand why she included it, but I feel like it continues to perpetuate the idea for white people that it's okay to ask a black person to touch their hair. It's not okay. I also really hate that she had the white girl call her supposed best friend the n-word when they got into a fight. I hate that Ruby Lee had to forgive the use of the n-word. Ugh, ugh, ugh. I think this book was trying, but it has way too many issues for me to endorse it.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really sweet, and I adore Sarah Beth and her determination to make things right. Based on the description and title, I thought there would be more focus on the integration aspect of the story, but honestly Sarah Beth's friendship with Ruby Lee is almost more of a side story. The real story is about family tragedy, the resulting changes, and how Sarah Beth deals with those elements. Don't get me wrong--it didn't make me like the story any less--it just wasn't what I was expecting.

[Brittany · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is bursting with sweetness.

I dripped all over the pages a few times as Sarah dealt with so many important issues from segregation to friendship to guilt to financial concerns and just growing number up.

Mostly, this book begins with a lesson about how life isn't fair and it builds though a rollercoaster of other atrocities in life and forces Sarah to decide, for herself, what's right and wrong.

[Shannon Hitchcock]

Your book is like your baby--if you don't love it, nobody else will. If you're a reader who has only read an ARC, I hope you'll have a chance to see the family photos in the back of the final book. There are pictures of my grandparents, their farm, Robin and her pony, and the real-life teacher who inspired RUBY LEE & ME.

[Leigh Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the different story lines in this book, but I think I would have liked it better if they were separate so each one could be developed more. I had a hard time feeling like I was in this time period. This would be a good starting point for reading about civil rights for 3rd or 4th graders. The first sentence, "It was a perfectly ordinary day, until it wasn't." is great mentor sentence for beginnings!

[Kaylei · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that the book was the best book that i ever read, the characters went through bad times and good times but it all came out to be just right. The characters were credible they were interesting and Brave, but they did encounter some problems. Robin got hit with a car and Sarah blamed herself. My favorite character was Sarah, she was brave and strong. her family went through tough times,just like my family just not in the same situation. My favorite part of the book was when Sarah tried to make it up to Robin but she couldn't but some times you just have to except that thing just go wrong. If I Could change a part of of the book it would be the accident because if my family went through that situation they would be heart broken. I would recommend this book to people who like Drama. the type of reader who would like this book the type of reader who likes drama/fantasy.

[Kay Zin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book I am reading is “ Ruby Lee and Me” this book is written by Shannon Hitchcock. I got interested because when I read the back summary, I saw that someone got a car accident. The genre of this book is nonfiction because at the back I saw some picture of them about the story. The story happened at the evening, at their house outside of their front yard.
The main character is Sarah Beth, she is a really good person and she is hopeless without Robin, sister, and she felt bad without her sister. Sarah Beth is about 12 years old and she is kind to everybody and she loves her little sister a lot. She is always there for her sister and love to tell story about “ Billy and Blaze” book because her sister loves to be a cowboy and wants a pony. Sarah Beth and Ruby Lee are friends since kids but apparently they fight. Ruby Lee tells bad things about Sarah Beth and which Sarah beth gets so mad so Sarah Beth told Ruby Lee to never come back to her house.. When she comes back Robin enters into her room and tell her a story that describe her. The minor character is Sarah Beth’s dad because he did nothing expect for doing like phone calls to Sarah Beth’s mom.
The story started with Robin got car accident and her mother ran out and she called the ambulance, Sarah Beth freaked out so she just stared at her sister, Robin, and she got angry at the driver who drove to Robin and accidently crash her so Sarah Beth needs to stay at Grandpa’s house which was at the farm. It took Robin like 1 to 2 months to stay at the hospital. Her granny taught her how to make cookies and cakes, Ruby Lee helped her making cookies and cakes. Then Sarah Beth told Ruby Lee about the car crash and Ruby Lee got so sad for Robin and Sarah Beth was hopeless now because Robin got car accident.
The next morning Sarah Beth thought flashback about the car crash and she regretted about what she did there. She was reading a book instead of watching her sister playing in front of the road, which was dangerous. And her granny saw Sarah Beth was sad so her granny called Sarah Beth to come and make cookies with her, while they were making cookies the phone rang so Sarah Beth went and got it and the doctor said in the phone that Robin’s injury was near to death. When Ruby Lee arrived, they went to the park to pick up some berries and while Ruby Lee was telling story to Sarah Beth granny interrupted the story and went back home. Then they had to change house because they did not have enough money to paid for medical bills.
When they got back home Sarah Beth decided to make chocolate cake for Robin and celebrate Robin with balloons. Then they arrived to the hospital and saw Robin with a lot of cast on her body. Sarah Beth told her mother to read her a book called” Billy and Blaze” so she would feel better. When Sarah Beth got to Robin’s room She saw a lot of cowboy hats and toy so Sarah Beth eyes were full with tears because she was sad about her sister and while her mother was reading “Billy and Blaze” book, Everybody saw Robin finger moved so Sarah Beth told her mother to read more. Then Sarah Beth went back home to rest and she regretted that it was her fault that Robin got car accident because she was reading her book, not watching her sister, Robin. Then Sarah Beth told Ruby Lee a secret and Ruby Lee pinky promise.
When Ruby Lee was at Sarah Beth house with her grandma, Sarah Beth came and sat near her and Ruby Lee grandma was scolding Sarah Beth. Ruby Lee said sadly that she was sorry because she told her grandma about their secret so she broke the pinky promise and also broke the friendship. And when they finished the talking, Ruby Lee was about to go out and Sarah Beth yelled at her and said that why did you break the pinky promise. And they started fighting and they started not to call each other. Then she got so lonely and decided to give a letter that she was sorry and be her friend again.
Dad and Grandpa carried Robin in the middle of them and Sarah Beth saw her with so many cast on her body so Sarah Beth eye got full with tears but she tell herself that she was not going to cry about Robin anymore. Then she went down and check Robin and her dad sent Robin to a room that was free, when Robin was resting Sarah Beth went in her and asked her whether she wanted to hear “Billy and Blaze” book or not and she shook her head and told Sarah Beth that it was boring and she wanted to hear a story about me so Sarah Beth thought about Robin and she told a story about two ponies with Robin. While Sarah Beth was telling her story Robin fell asleep so she went out quietly and went to her parents that she want to buy a pony for Robin and it only cost $50 and she had $25 from her birthday and her grandpa could pay the rest. Sarah Beth mother disagreed and yelled at her that if she fell again, what were going to do. So Sarah Beth thought about it and told her mother that she could buy a small pony that match with Robin. And her mother yelled again to Sarah Beth and her father hold her mother to the shoulder and told her that her mother need to think before she say no.
At night Sarah Beth heard her mother crying outside on the swing so Sarah Beth went down stairs to her mother and sit beside her. Then her mother told her that it washer fault because she was gardening and not watching Robin but Sarah Beth whispered to her mother that it was her fault because she was reading book and not watching Robin. And they heard Robin yelled that she want to go to the toilet so her mother went up stairs and Sarah Beth follow her mother and Sarah Beth sang a song for Robin and Robin laugh and sing along.
The next day her dad went to the horse sale and bought a pony that Robin drew. Then her dad gave the pony to Robin and she got so happy but she still did not eel better and she asked her mother for a sketchbook to draw a picture. Sarah Beth though that she might feel better when she saw a pony but she don’t feel better. After she get along with her pony, Robin started to feel better. And Ruby Lee came back for Sarah Beth.
The big ideas of the book is bravery because she fights back to Ruby Lee, which she doesn’t want to fight with. And another big idea is love because she is nothing without her sister because she loves her sister so much. My opinion is Sarah Beth and Ruby Lee is not going to fight but when I read it they fought and leave each other. I would like to recommend my book to someone who like non fiction.

[Samuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was the right book at the right time. The experience that Sarah was going with Ruby was exactly what I was going through. The ending was great, too! I picked it up because I left my IR book at home, and I couldn't set it down.

It was no coincidence that I got a hold of this book when I did. I sincerely believe God led me toward this book on purpose because I needed it's message. And that message was beautiful.

[Vicki Cose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Segregation, friendship and family interweave
this dynamic story

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

***This book is a nominee for the 2017-18 Golden Sowers Chapter Book list.***

Sarah Beth Willis is having the worst summer of her life. Her younger sister was hit by a car and Sarah is convinced its her fault. She was the one who was supposed to be watching Robin and now they don't know if Robin will make it, let alone ever walk or jump or play again. Besides that, this is the last summer before Sarah has to start at a new school, and this is the first year the colored children will be in her class. Her best friend (when she spends summers at her grandparents) has always been Ruby Lee, so she should be excited they can finally be in school together, but everyone from their grandmas to their mommas tell them they shouldn't be school-friends. Because it would just be too hard. Integration isn't going to come easy for Shady Creek.

Through all of this Sarah Beth has to finally learn what it means to grow up and make decisions based on what is right, not what is easy.

So, for the review:
I read this because it was up for the Golden Sower award. The intended grade level is probably 3-6. I thought it felt a bit forced/stilted at times, and after reading the author's note, I'm sure it is because the author was writing based on her own experiences. While that is fine (and this is an admirable topic to undertake) the writing of one's own encounters with integration means that there is no magic or spark since the author didn't take any liberties. This leads to a somewhat dry retelling of events. I would recommend this for purchase if a library is participating in the Golden Sowers or if there is a deficit in materials related to this subject matter. If there is already a robust collection of diverse materials, this is probably a skip for me.

[Dani Kraft]

Alternative Book Report (Letter to the President)

Dear President Donald Trump,

Hello! My name is Dani Kraft. I am read the book called Ruby Lee and Me by Shannon Hitchcock. I had to read this book for my children’s literature class. This book is set in the 1960’s and covers the topic of segregation. One little girl named Sarah has had a very tough summer. Her sister got hit by a car and was in terrible condition. Her parents have been gone at the hospital for a few months now and she is stuck living on a farm with her grandparents. Throughout the time there, she meets up with her very close friend, Ruby Lee. During this day in age, African Americans were not treated with the respect that they truly deserved. Because of the girls’ difference in skin color their friendship at school was forbidden. Their parents even told them that both of the girls would be made fun of each other for hanging out with one another. The little girls were determined to fight this idea, but then instead got into an argument themselves. Sarah called Ruby a terrible name and they both parted ways. Once they began school they forgave each other and decided it was time to make a difference and become friends at school. Now, in this book both of the girls learned that no matter their skin color they can be true friends. This was something they both learned in the 1960’s. I think that the American people of today need to be reminded of this important statement. Your skin color does not mean one thing or another. A person is a person no matter their race. I want everyone in American to just simply be reminded of that. Our nation has had many problems over the years. Although this is corny we need more love! Love and acceptance to all people. We should start thinking more about how we can help our nation, because if we don’t I am nervous we might break. We need to unite together and really be the ‘land of the free and home of the brave’! Not a country who settles for anything less.

Thanks,

Dani Kraft

[Nyapot Hogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Culture/Ethnic Setting comparison Alternative book report

Ruby Lee and Me is a great read! The culture and ethnic setting in this book are different compared to my life today. This book takes place in the South back in 1969 where extreme racism existed amongst black and white people. In the book are two best friends Sarah Beth (white) and Ruby Lee (black), both staying with their grandparents at a farm, they would often hang out and talk. Sarah Beth has been going through a difficult time as she's dealing with her sister at the hospital, being critically injured by a car. Ruby Lee was the one person she can really talk to. Their grandmothers were best friends too, but only on the farm. "When they were in town they would only nod and smile at each other." When Sarah Beth asked her Granny why she said, "The creek don't care what color feet wade in it, but the town pool surely does. It's easier to be friends away from wagging tongues." Life was difficult trying to be friends when you have different skin colors. It becomes even more difficult when they start to integrate them, and now an African American teacher in a white school.

This setting is different from my life and culture today. In school, I was exposed to many diverse people. Growing up I had black and white friends. We played at school and outside of school together, though we knew our skin color didn't match, that didn't matter because we still had fun with each other. My school was full of white and black teachers. From my elementary years to high school. Though I'm aware that racism still exists today and there are some people who still have hate in their hearts towards a certain race, I like to believe that America has come along way from the setting of Ruby Lee and Me. Where if a white and black person were to be seen walking together in town, people would have a problem. In my life, I'm married to a white man and we go everywhere. It's rare that someone would have a problem with it. Even though the setting is in America in Ruby Lee and Me, the culture is very different today.

[Wendi Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I felt this book suffers from having too much going on at one time. Really, any of the issues happening here could happily fill a book on its own - school desegregation in the South, a car accident, a new home and school. I felt rushed between one subject and the next. I thought the friendship between Ruby and Sarah would be the center of this book, but instead it seems more like an afterthought.

More uncomfortably, I felt that a lot of the characters’ responses to institutionalized racism were cavalier and went unquestioned. “It’s just the way it is,” didn’t seem like a great answer, and I wanted Sarah to dig harder to get better ones. Maybe I was just looking for greater character development and change.

[Kristin Nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

To me this book is about Sarah. Sarah and all the changes going on in her life. Her friendship with Ruby and the integration of her school are part of those changes, but it's not the focus of the book.

The book is billed as a civil rights story...("When a segregated North Carolina town gets its first black teacher, two girls--one black, one white--come face-to-face with how prejudice affects their friendship...In a world filled with uncertainty, one very special teacher shows her young students and the adults in their lives that change invites unexpected possibilities.") ...and I don't think that's entirely accurate.

Good story about the growth in a 12 yo girl's life, but a little simplistic, especially the dialogue.

[Trinity · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! Definitely one of the best I have every read!

[Eva · Rating 5 out of 5]

A theme for this book is: Be nice to everyone, even if they look different.

[Julie Baker · Rating 4 out of 5]

An alternative book response option that relies heavily on Rosenblatt’s transactional theory is for the reader to design a logo or symbol for two characters from the book. This product-based book response elicits an efferent response to produce an aesthetic product the reader can justify and explain based on character analysis and development throughout the book. Based on the transactional theory, an efferent response refers to what was extracted from the text and retained after the reading event has taken place. This is based on the construction of ideas and structures built on the story line. An aesthetic response refers to the selective attitude toward the readers stream of consciousness during the reading process. This is where the reader’s judgement to create a symbol begins to surface because it is based on their selective attitude. (Alexander & Fox, 2013, p. 932).
Rosenblatt, L.M. (2013). The transactional theory of reading and writing, redux. In D.E. Alvermann, N.J. Unrau, & R. B. Ruddell (Eds.), Theoretical models and processes of reading (pp. 476-489 & pp. 923-957). Newark, DE: International Reading Association.
Sarah Beth Symbol: Hills and Valley cut out into a butterfly shape

I chose a photo of hills and valleys to represent all the inner struggles and growth Sarah (protagonist) has been through. Hills tend to carry their own significance of positive experiences in life, clarity and targeted development. The valleys represent struggle, transformational periods, unpleasantness and clouded viewpoints. The sun on the horizon represents the guiding light to always be a good citizen. I then put a butterfly overlay on top to represent her change and growth, even though a pony would be quite representational from the book as well. Sarah Beth has held onto much guilt of the past few months with her sister’s accident and seeing her in the hospital for the first time. She prays often for her baby sister, Robin, to wake up. Seeing her sister, lifeless on a bed with a tube in her nose, IV in her hand laying in a sling with bandages wrapped around her head and chest was not easy. Sarah had to accept this is reality at this moment in time. Coincidentally, one of Sarah’s favorite hobbies is reading so she read a story to Robin and that was the first response she had seen from her since the accident; it gave her hope. The next thing on her inner growth list was forgiveness. She had to forgive herself for reading instead of watching her sister when the accident happened. She also had to forgive Jason Shore for being the driver of the black car that hit her Robin. She needed time and understanding that holding onto grief and guilt is not very healthy. Sarah also learned that sometimes the truth needs to be told. Ruby Lee showed her this with one statement, “If you can’t admit your wrongdoings with babysitting your sister, how are you going to stand up for me?” This is referencing the integration of the black community into a predominantly white school system. Ever since Robin’s accident, Sarah also has fears of herself being hurt that she needs to overcome. This is achieved through talking about her dreams with her Granny and Ruby Lee. Sarah sets her sorrows free by re-singing the songs from Ruby Lee. She experiences joy and peace when her sister’s health starts improving. Sarah also learns words are like dynamite. She says you can be friends with someone since infancy, but then it can end in a matter of minutes a friendship can extinguish. Sarah realizes she must heal all her emotional wounds by therapies that include writing a letter, cooking, singing songs, reading and understanding the realities of life. Then, Sarah gained much confidence after her Granny cut her leg on the oven door. She packed it with flour and drove (yes underage at 12 yrs old) to the hospital. The sheriff and her father were asking where she learned these things. It takes a village to raise our children and just as much as school teach students, generational families have much to teach as well and should not be undermined. Sarah also learns from her Dad that you can run away from your problems, you’ve got to face them head on. She begins to understand she was never blamed for her sister’s accident. Her parents take full blame because they are the adults who put too much responsibility on her.


Ruby Lee symbol: white and black hand pink swearing, both breaking through bars, with a pair of reversed mismatched socks next to each other.

I would have appreciated the author to have developed Ruby Lee’s character more, especially based on the book title, but I will work with it. Ruby Lee has skin the color of a candy bar, named after a famous actress and she loves to perform. Ruby Lee is Sarah’s best childhood friend, but with integration becoming reality, public and private interactions shift. Ruby Lee may succumb to others, but in her own family she is a rock. She is confident, well-rounded, reliable, real and smart. She is concerned about school starting, but not in the same way Sarah is. Ruby Lee broke a pinky promise made with Sarah about telling her Granny about Sarah’s secret from the accident. This caused strain on their relationship, but Sarah underwent growth and understanding from this. All thanks to Ruby for being the “adult” and seeing the situation from an outsider’s perspective. The guilt was eating Sarah alive! This broken pinky promise brought some realities to the future of their friendships and social life. Sarah is worried about the skinny, white popular girls and Ruby quickly shot back with reality. They are both trying to break free from what’s holding them back. She’ll be worrying about integration, uppity colored children drinking from the same water fountain, eating in the same cafeteria and using the same bathroom. The stupid school rules will stink for both of them in different ways. Ruby says it’s hard to go where you are not wanted. Since MLK Jr’s assassination, they are concerned about touching one another and being friends at school, but real friends are equal. This causes animosity on both sides though, Sarah hanging out with a black girl and Ruby thinking she’s too good to hang out with the black community. It is a rough time for both of them, but yet such a critical time because of their middle school level grade (12 years old) and personal identity development. These will be memories of a lifetime, good and bad. Ruby Lee finally decides its time to apologize to Sarah about telling her secret, the means things she said and her behavior at the ice-cream social. The shame she was experiencing weighed her down. The two mismatched socks represent the same woven foundations of well-rounded people, just the opposite on the outside. The integration part of school is going well, their teacher, Mrs. Smyre has helped breakdown prejudice walls by physical touch, experience, and critical thinking questions. The sports teams are working out and next is Harvest Moon and the students don’t want the integration part to interfere with their first social event of middle school! My image is showing the girls consciously breaking free from their self-constructed prejudices and guilt holding them back.

[Ann · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book had its heart in the right place, and it wasn't necessarily a bad book, but I'm only giving it two stars because even though I was trying hard, I just couldn't connect with it. I'm not sure if that's me and my mood right now, or the very simple writing (which can sometimes be effective, but in this case didn't move me) or a combination of the two. I'm not sure what's going on with the cover, because I don't remember the girls every swinging like that, and the scene doesn't really express the tone of the book. I'd also have titled it "Robin and Me", as I felt like the heart of the story really rested not with her relationship with Ruby Lee, but with her complicated feelings about the sister seriously injured in an accident.

[Shannon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the south in the 1960’s, RUBY LEE & ME captures a time when being friends was complicated when the color of your skin didn’t match. Sarah Beth and Ruby struggle to understand this and they watch their grandmothers do the same. Being friends should be easy, shouldn’t it? It was a question I kept asking myself too.

A book about confusion and guilt, about bravery and forgiveness, RUBY LEE & ME offers valuable perspective for any classroom and any family looking to better understand diversity.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruby Lee and Me by Shannon Hitchcock is a based on actual events. Sarah Beth loves to read and was happily absorbed in her book when her younger sister is hit by a car. Robin's hospitalization and rehabilitation throws Sarah's family and life into chaos.

The afterword includes photographs from the author's childhood of the people and places that inspired the book.


http://pussreboots.com/blog/2018/comm...

[Mississippi Library Commission · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ruby Lee and Me is a sweet early middle grade novel about family, friendship, and growing up. The relationship between Sarah Beth and her grandma is particularly touching. This book is perfect for kids just learning about school integration.

[Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I definitely recommend reading this book, it is my favorite book! it is so interesting,sad and exciting! It is a really sad book at points for example, robin gets hit by a car. And as to go in an ambulance. i recommend this to anyone and everyone its a great book.

[Liv Pachter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was really good and touching. It was one of my favorite books i've ever read.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd give this book 4 1/2 stars, I loved it from the first page.

[Anna Dart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Choice book 1 quarter 2

Ruby lee and me is a historical fiction book written by Shannon Hitchcock

Ruby lee and me takes place at the hospital, grandmas and grandpas farm in North Carolina in a neighborhood called shady creek.

The main characters in the book ruby lee and me are Sarah, granny, robin, and ruby lee. There are many more, but these are the most important.

Sarah is a 12-year-old girl and an outgoing, loving, caring, smart, happy sister until the car accident were her little sister robin gets hit by a car. She has to move in with her granny and learns to cook, she wants to make up for getting into a fight with her best friend ruby lee. She is a dynamic character because she learns that friendship and family are the best things in life. She also tries to repay robin for causing the accident, that wasn't her fault.

Granny is a loving, caring grandma who prays every night for her granddaughters and goes to church every Sunday. She has a skin disorder, but it doesn't stop her, trying to teach Sarah to cook and bake every day. Granny is a static character because she doesn't change in any way, except to be more careful around the oven. She gets cut and Sarah has to help her. She doesn't change as well because she is old, She doesn't really think of much anymore.

Robin is the little sister of Sarah. Robin loves western things, such as horses and ponies. She really wants a pony. Robin gets into a car accident and is put into the hospital. She is in a full-body cast when she comes home. They moved into a house that was smaller than before but closer to the farm. Robin also has to do physical therapy in the hospital. She is an energetic kid and full of play, until the car accident. ( which happens first thing in the beginning, if your wondering). Robin is a dynamic character, she learns to make sure she is in parent or sibling eyesight at all times. She also learns to be more careful and less distracted.

Ruby lee is a 12-year-old girl who is black. (the book is around segregation times so this is important, not that that makes any difference now), she is best friends with Sarah, they get into a fight and go to the same school for the first time. Colored are in the same school as the non-colored kids. Ruby lee is a good, smart girl. Ruby lee is a dynamic character she learns that life isn't always easy. She learns that black and whites are meant to be together and she also learns to just be herself and not worry about what other people think.

The main problem in the book is robin getting hurt and segregation. Robin is in the hospital for a while, her lungs and ribs collapsing and her leg completely broken. And black and whites to go to the same school is a problem for the adults and not thinking they should. The conflict is person vs. person and person vs. society and a bit of person vs. self. Person vs. person because ruby lee and Sarah get into a big fight and Sarah called her the worst word ever. Person vs. society because it's around when blacks and whites could go to the same paces and stuff like that. And finally, person vs. self because Sarah is worried and lonely for robin and does not have very many friends.


The author believes you must have the courage to be a nice and meaningful person in life.
Sarah comes clean about the one being responsible for robin getting hit by a car.
¨” honey you be having lots of bravery and courage to be doing this ̈ - granny
Sarah shared a secret with ruby lee trusting her and ruby lee said ̈that takes a lot of courage to do that ̈


In my opinion, I enjoyed the book, I liked it because tackled heavy topics in a children's book. Like segregation, getting into an accident and friendship problems. My favorite part of the book is the ending, which I won't say because I don't want to spoil it. The book felt a little incomplete. I think that the ending could have ended with the author telling us more about Robin if she got done with physical therapy or not. I have read a lot of historical fiction and this one was very detailed and good! I felt like I was in the book all of the time like I was Sarah. I would have only talked a bit about the family at the end, but if I was the author I probably wouldn't have done anything differently than the author did the book. I really enjoyed it and I hope you will read it too! Read ruby lee and me to find out what happens!

[Raelyn]

One similarity that there is in the two books Ruby Lee and Me and Tell Me Three Things is that both authors use flashbacks to show memories from the past. In the first book Ruby Lee and Me, the main character Sarah has flashbacks to before her sister gets hit. These memories are really hard for Sarah and usually make her sad. In the second book Tell Me Three Things the main character Jessie has flashbacks of before her mom died. Just like Sarah these usually make her sad and feel alone. This is a similarity because they both have flashbacks that take them back to happy times in their life but they no longer make them happy. Another similarity that there is in these two novels is that they are both teenagers that have to go through really hard times that most teens their age don’t even think about. In the book, Ruby Lee and Me Sarah have to go through seeing her little sister get hit by a car while she’s babysitting her. This is something that then leads to many problems for Sarah’s mental health. In the book Tell Me Three Things Jessie has to go through losing her mom and then just having her dad and new random step-mom. This also leads Jessie having a hard time in just everyday life. This is similar because they both had super hard things and most teens don’t have those things happen. Overall in both stories, there is a lot of similarities and they can relate on many different levels.


One difference between these two stories Ruby Lee and Me and Tell Me Three Things is that one story takes place in the modern world and one takes place in the 1940s. In Ruby Lee and Me the story takes place in the 1940s. This leads to a different plot and other things that aren’t the same for Jessie just because her story takes place in the modern world. For example, when Sarah goes to school there are schools for black and whites kids and when Jessie goes to school she just goes to normal school. Another difference is that when Jessie’s mom dies she just kinda left her old life and moved on to a completely new one and for Sarah, she had to have these things haunting her from the accident. This is something that then makes the two stories a lot different because of this small thing that’s actually a big thing. Overall there are many things that make these stories different from each other and things that change the whole plotline.

[Laney Ricker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever been friends with someone you weren't suppose to be friends with? Well, Sarah Beth, the main character, had a best friend that was African American and not many people liked that. Having a terrible accident, moving schools, and trying to learn about freedom riders all at the same time is difficult for a 12-year-old girl.

Sarah learned the hard way how important her sibling was when her sister, Robin, unfortunately, got hit by a car. She was rushed to the emergency room. Robin was in a coma for days and days. She woke up and had to be in a full body cast. Sarah was at her grandparents during this and she had bad nightmares about the car hitting her sister. Robin got out of the hospital and had to stay in the cast and ended up getting a pony to keep her spirits up. Later on, she had to go back to the hospital to get the cast removed and do physical therapy.

Sarah also had to experience moving schools. Even though this was moving her to the same school as her friend, who was African American. In the book, it talks about haw hard it would be to go through that stuff with your sister and then worrying about switching schools. She was concerned about making new friends at the ice cream party because, they all had their own friend groups already.

Sarah and Ruby were best friends but Ruby was her African American friend. Sarah wanted to understand more about their differences. She talked about the freedom riders to her grandma. She asked her if she and Ruby could still be friends in school and her grandma said, "maybe not." They were not suppose to be friends because of their different races, however, Ruby and Sarah decided to go against the rules and stay friends during the segregation.

I recommend this book because it teaches valuable lessons. I also rate this book a FIVE STAR!

[Mariela Berrocal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this interesting book! In the summer of 1969, Sarah, a twelve year old white girl who lived in a rural community, feels very guilty about her six-year-old sister, Robin 's car accident. Sarah was babysitting her but was busy reading a book while the incident happenned.
Sarah later on meets Ruby, an African American girl, and realized that she has been sheltered from racism and feels guilty that what Ruby has been going through in her life because of her race. Although Sarah promised to remain Ruby’s friend after the schools integrate, the story in the book ended before she could complete her commitment. I particularly liked the part in which, Mrs. Smyre, the new African American teacher, invited white students to touch her skin and hair, and after a racially motivated crime, a crowd of black and white bystanders sing “We Shall Overcome” together. Mrs. Smyre said: "Black and white folks are a litttle different on the outside", she continued. "But on the inside, we're just the same. We all need friends." (p. 163). I thought that was such a great message to reflect on and pass along to students (and adults). I really liked this book because it teaches children about self-forgiveness and family relationships.
I would use this book to teach about segregation/school integration, tolerance, relationships, kindness, and open-mindness in the classroom.
This book would be appropriate to read to students in Middle school (9-12 years old).
The genre of this book is Historical fiction.