The Wall and the Wing

Wall and the Wing #1

by Laura Ruby

In one vast
and sparkling city,
everyone can fly.

Almost everyone.

A few, nicknamed leadfeet, are sentenced by a trick of nature or fate to forever spend their lives closer to the ground. But one night, a girl named Gurl - a leadfoot, an orphan, a nobody - discovers that she can do something much better than fly.

She can become invisible.

This amazing power will help her uncover the secret mysteries of the city. But even with her newfound talent, Gurl can't seem to hide from a giant rat man with a taste for cats, a manipulative matron with a penchant for plastic surgery, and a belligerent boy named Bug.

Gradually Gurl learns to control her power and teams up with Bug to figure out who and what she is. Their quest will take them on a wild ride through this magical city, where they'll confront chatty birds and mind-bending monkeys, an eccentric genius with a head full of grass and a pocket full of kittens, and the handsome but lethal Sweetcheeks Grabowski - the gangster who holds the key to Gurl's past . . . and the world's future.

Genres: Fantasy, Childrens, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Adventure, Fiction, Magic

338 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Raised in the wilds of suburban New Jersey, Laura Ruby now lives in Chicago with her family. Her short fiction for adults has appeared in various literary magazines, including Other Voices, The Florida Review, Sycamore Review and Nimrod. A collection of these stories, I'M NOT JULIA ROBERTS, was published by Warner Books in January 2007. Called "hilarious and heart-wrenching" by People and "a knowing look at the costs and rewards of remaking a family," by the Hartford-Courant, the book was also featured in Redbook, Working Mother , and USA Today among others.

Ruby is also the author of the Edgar-nominated children's mystery LILY'S GHOSTS (8/03), the children's fantasy THE WALL AND THE WING (3/06) and a sequel, THE CHAOS KING (5/07) all from Harpercollins. She writes for older teens as well, and her debut young adult novel, GOOD GIRLS (9/06), also from Harpercollins, was a Book Sense Pick for fall 2006 and an ALA Quick Pick for 2007. A new young adult novel, PLAY ME, is slated for publication in fall of 2008. Her books have sold in England, Australia, Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Serbia and Montenegro. THE WALL AND THE WING is currently in development with Laika Studios for release as an animated feature.

Ms. Ruby has been a featured speaker at BookExpo, the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) annual convention, the Miami Book Festival, the Florida Association of Media Educators (FAME) convention, the Midwest Literary Festival, the International Reading Association's annual convention, and Illinois Reading Council annual conference, among other venues, and she has presented programs and workshops for both adults and children at numerous schools and libraries.

Currently, she is working on several thousand projects, drinking way too much coffee, and searching for new tunes for her iPod.

Reviews

[Shipoftheseus · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading the first eleven pages of "The Chapter Before the First," I told friends that it read like Diana Wynne Jones writing a New York City version of Neverwhere with Douglas Adams sneaking in occasional asides when she wasn't looking.

Having now completely the novel, I can state categorically for the record that my initial impression was 110% correct, and if that doesn't make you want to read this book, I don't know how to help you. I suggest you offer to do favors for Satan in exchange for a soul.

The book is delightful from start to finish, tongue-in-cheek and full of heart, with strange bright magic that isn't always explained but feels intuitively right in itself, the way it does in all the best fairytales. Modern flourishes like magic knickknacks bought on ebay nestle cheek-by-jowl with cats that are really riddles and mysterious orphans and people who fly. The characters are all just a little over-the-top in the most charming way, the protagonists feel like actual nine-year-olds while still being genuinely endearing, and the writing absolutely sparkles. This book is hilarious, heartwarming, occasionally chilling and always lovely.

I cannot wait to get the next one.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Wall and the Wing is about Gurl and her friend Bug. When Gurl sneaks out one night to get food, she finds a cat and brings it back to the orphanage. One day Bug comes along one day and they don't get along, but Bug likes the cat. Once the woman who runs the orphanage finds about Gurl's powers she uses them for bad, and a gang is looking for her as well for similar reasons. Gurl has to find her true identity, escape the grasps of theives, and solve a few mysteries along the way.

I enjoyed the plot of the book, it was a fun, easy read. I personally cannot say I was the biggest fan of the writing style, though it didn't bother me too much. At some points I was on the edge of my seat and others I was bored or confused by some details, which were somewhat cleared up later but not all. I think I might recommend this book to someone younger because of its fun nature.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a pretty cute tale about "Gurl" who discovers that she has a strange magical power. Adventure ensues.

I enjoyed the quick read however it was not one of those young adult books that is as well-liked by adults. It was a simple story with rather simple morals. Good for reading on the plane, which is what I did.

[Donna D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been really into rereading books lately. I read this when I was younger and decided to read it again. It is just such a fun and quirky book about an invisible girl and some weird rat creatures. I can't describe it but I would definitely recommend it.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

AMAZING! My 8 year old sister was given this book for her birthday and only just picked it up- she read 80-100 pages a day and finished it in a few days, we could hardly get her attention till she was done! I made the mistake of picking it up to scan the first few pages and see why she was so addicted and ended up egging her on to read to the end so I could steal it and finish the story (I'm 19!). The characters are brilliant, the story is set in a world like ours but with magic, monsters, psychic cats, runaway orphans, professors with flowers growing from their heads- oh and most people can fly. The writing is funny and clever- children will love it, and there is also references to things that will make adults giggle (although all completely innocent). I LOVED this story, and my sister now counts it as one of her favourite books. I would recommend this book to anyone, anywhere. My sister is quite an advanced reader and some other kids her age and a bit younger may be a bit daunted by the size of the book, but if you have younger kids it's the perfect book to read to them as a bedtime story, and if your child/sister/brother etc. likes to read then this is guaranteed to keep them occupied for a while! Can't wait for the next one, this is definitely only the beginning of Gurl and Bug's adventures! Final reason why you should read, and I don't know if this should count as a spoiler, is that the story has a wonderful happy ending, I love those! =]

[Skye:) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I just finished this book that I had listened to at least 2 times as a kid going on road trips with my mom. I feel like I just sat down with my 8 year self and read through this book. Sometimes remembering moments and sometimes getting really excited to see what happens next. I can only imagine that all the emotions I had reading it were heightened as a kid. What a sweet experience that was! A story I have kept close to my heart without even knowing it!
Like the way bug picks her leaves <3

[Caroline]

Once upon a time when I was 13-14 I read a middle grade novel with a purple cover, and then I forgot everything about it except that I HAD read it. The not-knowing what it was has been driving me crazy and I’ve been looking for this book for years. I can’t believe I found it!!!! (I remember nothing about it, so this review is just a sort of monument to my own quest, which thank God can now be laid to rest)

[Fiona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very satisfying; slightly predictable but charmingly executed.

[Sarah Sammis · Rating 4 out of 5]

The New York that Gurl and Bug live in bears thematic similarities to Ruby's more recent York series (2018-2020). Both paint modern day versions of the city that have been taken into an alternate timeline by a big event in the last 150 to 200 years. The big event has fundamentally altered something about how the city or its people work. In this earlier version, most people have gained the power of flight.

I liked the dynamics of Gurl and Bug. They have a similar friendship / rivalry to the kids in City of Orphans by Avi (2000) or the more recent girls in Daring Darleen, Queen of the Screen by Anne Nesbet (2020).

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2020/comm...

000066 - privileged city offroad

[Fallen*63 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a girl named... well... Gurl. She lives at Hope House for the Helpless and the Hopeless Orphanage. She has no friends, and Digger is constantly picking on her. Everything stays the same, until one night, at the back of Luigi's, a cat decides to choose her as her owner. She has to keep the cat hidden from everyone else at Hope House. Also, everyone there can fly, except Gurl. She can turn invisible, though. A new boy comes to Hope House, named Bug. Together they sneak out from Hope House and the evil matron, Ms. Terwiliger, who makes them steal for her. They find out that they accidentally took one of the matron's monkeys with them when they left. They give it money (don't ask why) and the monkey reveals secret to them that they never imagined. Bug is the son of the most famous gangster ever, Sweetcheeks Grabowski. Sweetcheeks just so happens to be where they were when the monkey screeched the secrets, and takes Bug and Gurl to his lair. They battle Sweetcheeks and his sidekick, Odd John, until Odd John dies, and Sweethcheeks is arrested. Gurl finds out that her parents are actually The Richest Man and The Richest Woman in the Universe, making her The Richest Girl in the Universe. Bug lives with Gurl (her real name turns out to be Georgie) and her parents, since his mom is dead, and his dad is a busted, washed-up gangster.

This book teaches that no matter what, friends stick together. Because, at first, Gurl didn't trust Bug after they found out he was a gangster's son. But then he realized that he is a good person and does not even want to be a gangster.

[mary ❀ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

The moment I read the summary for this book, I knew that I had to read it. I don't believe I've ever read a summary quite that interesting. I didn't get that into the book until I kept reading. The more I read, the more I loved the book. This book isn't quite like anything I've ever read before. The author sure knows how to capture your attention.

What I loved most about this book was probably the characters. I loved Girl and Bug. I also thought the pacing that their friendship evolved was done very well. I also loved meeting all of the knew crazy characters and wondering what would happen to them next.

Another thing I loved about this book is that it read like a puzzle. You were given many pieces and throughout the story you put things together and saw how they connected. You were given much to work with, but it wasn't until the book was near the end that the pieces were put together and you realized how everything was connected.

Overall, this was a great book and I can't wait to read the sequel (The Chaos King).

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me, it was on of those stories that I only liked after I read the ending. My bet is that it was a lot more fun to write than it would be for any one else to read. Harsh opinion? ...Maybe.

The world here is one wherein people fly around. No wings, no magic dust, just ... people flying. Why? You won't know until the end, and it wasn't until that point that I became amused, but maybe only because it was so cleverly tongue-in-cheek.

As far as kids books goes, it's entertaining. There's very little in the story that would be relative to the average kid's life, but that's the point, right? How many flying orphans do you know? Or invisible orphans? Or cats who use the toilet and flush it by themselves?

Well, actually my aunt and uncle had a cat like that when I was a little kid. His name was Mr. Kiboodles and I think he was the devil. He doesn't count.

Back to the book, it was fun, imaginative, and worth reading in the end. I like to be amused.

*flies away

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really hoping for a bit more from this book. It never really managed to measure up to my expectations. I thought it was an okay read, but from some of the reviews I'd read I guess I was hoping for something more along the lines of Harry Potter. Silly, I know, but a girl can dream ;p.

It took me a lot longer to finish this book than I planned, which was quite unfortunate. I never really connected with the characters, but I did like how everything was so deftly interwoven with the plot. There were a lot of unexpected moments of awesome scattered throughout this book, but they were a little too far spread apart.

[King Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wild, wacky book in which cats are riddles, mechanical monkeys steal peoples' memories, and all people can fly. Well, all but one... the Wall, an orphaned girl profoundly named "Gurl" who can turn invisible. The book is extremely abstract, with a great sense of humor. True, it is predictable, and characters can be annoying (like Bug), but overall I find it a fun, quick read. I know it sounds really weird by my brief description of it, but it somehow works out.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was one of my favorite childhood books. I probably read it three times when i was younger (although the sequel disappointed me a bit. It was okay, but it definitely didn’t live up to the first book). the imagery of this book was really stunning, and I found myself trapped in this whimsical world. Definitely a read for all ages! I’m going to have to reread it soon...

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first read this book when I was probably 10 and I loved it. I've also read this book at the age of 18 and I still love it. It's definitely a middle school aged book, but I think anyone who likes whimsical fantasy with slightly dark undertones will love it.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book was so interesting!
I liked the part when the enemies son helped gurl escape from his father's dark little box and helped her get food.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This whimsical tale was a joy to read. The story is complex and quirky. Well-written characters and original ideas make this a fun read.

[Cuan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book kittens are OP, what more do you need to know :3

[Cpt Hawk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Man I love this book. Lots to say, not enough reason to ramble through it all, but--to quote Wesley Chu (at a panel at Minicon this year,) "We fantasy writers are not a very funny bunch."

But why not? Whatever the lack is, I feel like I can find a healthy amount of the real deal in children's fiction instead. There's a certain niche in published children's fiction where the pacing is good, the prose better, the story is funny or silly or heartfelt, and for whatever reason, it does a better job at meaning something than seemingly better written adult fiction. Sure it's missing the obligatory horrors and profanity and sex prevalent in older fiction but, IDK--if the adult fiction is supposed to be more compelling for it, why isn't it a better told story? I'm navel-gazing here, just let me walk myself to an end. There's just a certain narrative finesse in some children's fiction that I really admire, and The Wall and the Wing is way up there, even though it's brand of silly is probably something only I(?) would like. But damn was Laura Ruby having fun in this book. And damn did she have a lot of really good and/or fun sentences. I would happily study this book for better writing reasons. I also read this book to remind me why I liked storytelling and writing in general, and it did a pretty good job.

As a side-note, re-reading this book made me realize I may have picked up a certain way of phrasing things from this book. I'm not mad. It was sorta surreal though to see certain dialogue setups clearly meant to express awkwardness and think, "Wait a minute, I do that!"

Children's fic that really gets my goat: The Wall and the Wing by Laura Ruby, The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester, those Savvy books, the Poppy series by Avi, of course the Spook's Apprentice books, and more I'm forgetting. Oh. Land of Elyon probably. Maybe.

[D W · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really don't care how old I get, this is one of my FAVOURITE books!

I still have my original hard cover copy that has been lent to friends and bounced around from place to place over the last umpteen years.

I mean this story have everything from, creepy cat collecting professors, subway dwelling punks, monsters with zipper faces, creepy ass monkey toys, gangsters like sweekcheeks, an invisible Gurl and a leadfoot named bug!

But really, those symbol clapping monkeys totally creepy me out now haha

[Evelyn Erb Bognar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this aloud to my nine-year-old daughter and she was captivated!! It is full of magic and interesting and relatable characters. We obtained a copy of this book from a local school that was thinning out their library. I think that this book and the following book are out of print. If so, It is such a shame. I saw the second book in the series on Audible and we intend to listen to it. We loved this book!!!

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a five-star book for me when I was the age of the target audience. Now I’d give it three stars. The world-building was done well—it didn’t try to over-explain anything, and the fundamentals were built up as the book goes along. The writing and humor could have gone through a few more drafts, but it was good enough for my middle school self.
I’m kind of curious to know what a person like Bug would look like in real life.

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the books I was able to read over and over again as a preteen! I was a bit skeptical when I received the special hard cover edition years ago from my mum, but I remember it much more fondly than half of the more "grown up" (read: bad romance) books I was trying to get my hands on at that age. Give it a try for yourself!

[Ceilidh · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweet story that will satisfy your craving for slightly whimsical-satirical-sarcastic (hilarious) books that are also completely age-appropriate.

I was a bit hesitant to pick this book up, as I'd previously read Lily's Ghosts by this same author and not liked it much. It drew me in, despite having many tired cliches (girl-doesn't-know-who-she-is, unlucky-orphan, boy-can-do-special-things-but-doesn't-know-how-or-why, orphan-was-kidnapped-at-birth, really-the-daughter-of-wealthy-parents-that-never-stopped-looking-for-her). So, if you're not tired of this trope, you will probably quite enjoy this book. The description was very rich--so rich that, at times, I would find myself skipping paragraphs in order to find out what happens next?? in the story. Obviously I enjoy action more than description.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-crafted dystopian novel for middle school readers. I thoroughly enjoyed the imagery and dark humor.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I remember this as being such a fun and enjoyable read from my late primary school days.

[Jo Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

An orphanage, a 'mad' scientist, a 'gifted' cat, a wickedly witchy warden with a penchant for cosmetic surgery . . what's not to like? Entertaining. 4/5*

[Harriet Quimby · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A childhood favourite of mine! I fell in love with its delightfully quirky writing, uniquely imperfect characters and a brilliantly original story. Highly recommend!