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Ruby the Foster Dog
Be a star that shines for others. Abandoned in an animal shelter, Ruby, an adorable mixed breed puppy with an underbite, wonders if a family will ever adopt her. When a goofy looking, scruffy-faced man stops by the shelter, he adopts Ruby. Mr. James is not the family she was expecting—but could he still be the answer to her prayers? Mr. James (known as Jimmy Wayne to his country music fans) is walking halfway across America to raise awareness for the thousands of foster children who desperately need our help. Ruby realizes that she’s not so very different from these she’s scared and alone. If she doesn’t have help, she can’t have hope either. But Mr. James wants to change all that, for her and for every foster kid in the United States. On their adventure together, Mr. James teaches her about integrity, honesty, loyalty, faith, forgiveness, and trust, but mostly how love can rescue someone and forever change lives. As they walk along historic routes and locations throughout the Southeastern United States, Ruby quietly helps Mr. James overcome the issues he’s been struggling with too. By the time they get to Phoenix, both of their lives are changed for the better. But just when Ruby accepts Mr. James as her new family, an unexpected phone call challenges her to redefine family—and love—all over again. Ruby the Foster Dog will leave readers with a full heart, a desire to help foster dogs (and foster kids) find homes and forever families, and motivation to be a star that shines for others. Ruby’s story parallels the plight of the more than 400,000 children in foster care, the 30,000 who age-out annually at 18-years-young, and the 100,000+ children waiting to be adopted. To find out more, please visit Project Meet Me Halfway at ProjectMMH.org.
178 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 1, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 3, 2017
Writing is hard. Writing a book is very hard. Writing a good book is very, very hard, and often requires a diligent editor, a dedicated agent, years of revisions, a high-functioning writers’ group, a bit of talent, a lot of coffee and an understanding family. Even then, a good book is not the guaranteed outcome.
I rarely write negative book reviews, and it is particularly difficult to write a bad review for an ARC (or Advance Review Copy) that was so graciously extended to me by the author and/or publisher. However, I think feedback is always important, and potential readers should have information from a variety of viewpoints.
Jimmy Wayne, author of “Ruby the Foster Dog”, has a good heart and an interesting story to tell. A former foster child, he is also a country music artist, and has written (or co-written) two other books. In an effort to raise awareness about the struggles faced by kids who age-out of the foster care system, he embarked on a walk halfway across America in 2010. “Ruby” is his semi-autobiographical account of this event, written specifically for children.
The illustrations in the galley copy that I received were detailed and beautiful, full of action and emotion. With a few more pictures, you might not even need the words to tell the story (and in this case, it would be an improvement).
I was interested in the story for many reasons: I am a foster parent for my local Humane Society, several of my family members have cared for (and even adopted) foster children, and the connection between children and animals has been proven to be very healing. Unfortunately, none of these points were included or addressed in the book.
“Ruby” is written as a first-person narrative, from Ruby’s point of view. Ruby begins her story at a shelter in Texas, which is described more as an abusive warehouse than a safe refuge for animals. Eventually, just before her approaching euthanasia date, Ruby is adopted by a man she calls “Mr. James” (also known as Jimmy Wayne). He is (of course) walking halfway across America to raise awareness about the plight of foster children, and she joins him (mainly tucked inside his coat) as he reaches his goal. By the time they reach Mr. James’ home, they are both popular stars, and continue to use their notoriety to support their cause.
The writing, sadly, seems a little herky-jerky, and consistency was a big problem throughout the book. For example, early in the story, as Mr. James is finishing the paperwork to adopt Ruby, he speaks with a shelter employee:
“The employee’s face fell, as if he had a bad memory of being hopeless too. I wondered if everyone knew what that word felt like. Lots of people knew what it meant, but not everyone know what it feels like.”
Nit-picky? Maybe. But this kind of issue, of conflicting thoughts and inconsistent ideas, runs rampant throughout “Ruby”.
With a dog for a narrator, I should maybe not have been surprised when Mr. James begins to not only understand what Ruby is saying, but also converse with her. Very literally. They go on and on -- talking about the mundane (food, friends, the road), having deep philosophical exchanges, and discussing various Bible verses and stories. Sometimes it seems that Ruby has a good grasp on everything they are talking about, and other times she “speaks” and reacts as if each detail was completely foreign. Eventually, Ruby even begins conversing with people they meet on the road, like it happens every day.
As I read, I kept waiting to find out what the title meant, because Mr. James adopted Ruby, and she was not a foster dog. Again, there was a passage that seemed to spell it out, but again with the contradictions: Mr. James tells Ruby that when he adopted her, she also (in a way) adopted him. Ruby goes on to tell Mr. James,
“’Although you don’t look like a normal foster parent, you are the perfect foster parent for me.’”
And other than Mr. James, who is an adult by this point, there are no foster children represented in the story, unfortunately. When the title so blatantly does not fit the book, it’s a big problem for me.
There is also a lot of what appears to be product placement throughout the book – the sporting goods company (who sponsored part of his walk) Marmot, and Southwest Airlines (who evidently donated a flight for Mr. James), to name a couple. Example passage:
“’Well, Ruby, Southwest Airlines is the most loveable airline and you are the most loveable dog on the planet.’”
It is a little annoying, and not really appropriate for a book geared towards kids.
I think it is important to specifically note that this is a Christian-centered story. Beyond the fact that there are many references to biblical passages and Christian morals, there are passages like this one:
“’Stella’s mom is single, isn’t she?’ I wiggled my eyebrows. The new guy looked back and forth between me and Mr. James. I would have to fill him in later. ‘Yes. She’s also beautiful. And most important, she’s a Christian.’”
This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is important to know, as it sometimes feels slightly exclusionary.
“Ruby” is supposed to be geared toward kids who are between 4- and 10-years old, but that is a very wide range for a fairly wordy book. Kids who range from 4- to 6- or 7-years old are still often learning the difference between reality and fiction, and the real message of the book may be lost on many of them. For a story with such a true and very real issue at its center (the foster care system), introducing this strange talking-dog element as its delivery system kind of undermines its importance.
“Ruby the Foster Dog” has great heart, but it is buried underneath so many problems that I really could not recommend it to anyone.
I rarely write negative book reviews, and it is particularly difficult to write a bad review for an ARC (or Advance Review Copy) that was so graciously extended to me by the author and/or publisher. However, I think feedback is always important, and potential readers should have information from a variety of viewpoints.
Jimmy Wayne, author of “Ruby the Foster Dog”, has a good heart and an interesting story to tell. A former foster child, he is also a country music artist, and has written (or co-written) two other books. In an effort to raise awareness about the struggles faced by kids who age-out of the foster care system, he embarked on a walk halfway across America in 2010. “Ruby” is his semi-autobiographical account of this event, written specifically for children.
The illustrations in the galley copy that I received were detailed and beautiful, full of action and emotion. With a few more pictures, you might not even need the words to tell the story (and in this case, it would be an improvement).
I was interested in the story for many reasons: I am a foster parent for my local Humane Society, several of my family members have cared for (and even adopted) foster children, and the connection between children and animals has been proven to be very healing. Unfortunately, none of these points were included or addressed in the book.
“Ruby” is written as a first-person narrative, from Ruby’s point of view. Ruby begins her story at a shelter in Texas, which is described more as an abusive warehouse than a safe refuge for animals. Eventually, just before her approaching euthanasia date, Ruby is adopted by a man she calls “Mr. James” (also known as Jimmy Wayne). He is (of course) walking halfway across America to raise awareness about the plight of foster children, and she joins him (mainly tucked inside his coat) as he reaches his goal. By the time they reach Mr. James’ home, they are both popular stars, and continue to use their notoriety to support their cause.
The writing, sadly, seems a little herky-jerky, and consistency was a big problem throughout the book. For example, early in the story, as Mr. James is finishing the paperwork to adopt Ruby, he speaks with a shelter employee:
“The employee’s face fell, as if he had a bad memory of being hopeless too. I wondered if everyone knew what that word felt like. Lots of people knew what it meant, but not everyone know what it feels like.”
Nit-picky? Maybe. But this kind of issue, of conflicting thoughts and inconsistent ideas, runs rampant throughout “Ruby”.
With a dog for a narrator, I should maybe not have been surprised when Mr. James begins to not only understand what Ruby is saying, but also converse with her. Very literally. They go on and on -- talking about the mundane (food, friends, the road), having deep philosophical exchanges, and discussing various Bible verses and stories. Sometimes it seems that Ruby has a good grasp on everything they are talking about, and other times she “speaks” and reacts as if each detail was completely foreign. Eventually, Ruby even begins conversing with people they meet on the road, like it happens every day.
As I read, I kept waiting to find out what the title meant, because Mr. James adopted Ruby, and she was not a foster dog. Again, there was a passage that seemed to spell it out, but again with the contradictions: Mr. James tells Ruby that when he adopted her, she also (in a way) adopted him. Ruby goes on to tell Mr. James,
“’Although you don’t look like a normal foster parent, you are the perfect foster parent for me.’”
And other than Mr. James, who is an adult by this point, there are no foster children represented in the story, unfortunately. When the title so blatantly does not fit the book, it’s a big problem for me.
There is also a lot of what appears to be product placement throughout the book – the sporting goods company (who sponsored part of his walk) Marmot, and Southwest Airlines (who evidently donated a flight for Mr. James), to name a couple. Example passage:
“’Well, Ruby, Southwest Airlines is the most loveable airline and you are the most loveable dog on the planet.’”
It is a little annoying, and not really appropriate for a book geared towards kids.
I think it is important to specifically note that this is a Christian-centered story. Beyond the fact that there are many references to biblical passages and Christian morals, there are passages like this one:
“’Stella’s mom is single, isn’t she?’ I wiggled my eyebrows. The new guy looked back and forth between me and Mr. James. I would have to fill him in later. ‘Yes. She’s also beautiful. And most important, she’s a Christian.’”
This is not necessarily a bad thing, but it is important to know, as it sometimes feels slightly exclusionary.
“Ruby” is supposed to be geared toward kids who are between 4- and 10-years old, but that is a very wide range for a fairly wordy book. Kids who range from 4- to 6- or 7-years old are still often learning the difference between reality and fiction, and the real message of the book may be lost on many of them. For a story with such a true and very real issue at its center (the foster care system), introducing this strange talking-dog element as its delivery system kind of undermines its importance.
“Ruby the Foster Dog” has great heart, but it is buried underneath so many problems that I really could not recommend it to anyone.
September 13, 2017
Eventualmente voy a escribir algo lindo sobre esto. Quiero tener algún sobrinito al que poder regalárselo
February 13, 2018
I wanted to read this book for a couple of reasons. First because I love dogs, secondly because I wanted to find out more about the walk Jimmy Wayne did to bring awareness to Foster Children Aging Out ans lastly because I saw him at the Grand Ole Opry a few years ago talking about being a Foster Child. The story was a good one. You have to suspend belief because Ruby talks to humans as she narrates this story. Many of them understand her and talk back. I loved the relationship Mr. James and Ruby develop. They had to learn to trust one another and Ruby had to rely on him as well. This book has several messages. When the book opens, Ruby is in a shelter that is more of an animal warehouse. They talk about euthanizing animals that have been there more than 18 days. There is also some discussion about puppy mills. There is a plug about adoping a dog from the local shelter, that they should not be thrown away. The main plotline of course is about the walk. In 2010, Jimmy Wayne walked halfway across the US to bring awareness to Foster Children who aged out and had nowhere to go. They often end up in jail, homeless or on drugs. There were a couple of plugs for companies that supported him on this walk, but it was not too bad. Jimmy also talks about his faith and belief in God. He discusses forgiveness and how holding onto grudges makes you feel bad and fills you up with those negative feelings. He also discusses being generous, giving to others, loving and caring for others and the world and knowing what is really important in life. There are some scriptures quoted throughout the book. I really liked the messages that were given, but the story itself was a bit jerky and parts were repetitive. Perhaps writing with someone else might have improved that part of the process. Overall, I would not recommend this to young children, perhaps 10 and over. This would make a good addition to a Church library or Christian School Library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via Netgalley.
November 2, 2018
I agree with Julie's review below but I was able to mentally skip over the inconsistencies and other issues. Didn't know it would be SO heavy on the Christianity, and I'm a Christian too. So while it was a good read, it was also a little odd. And the pictures were very off-putting.
January 20, 2025
Very cute!
December 5, 2017
A couple of years ago I read Jimmy Wayne‘s autobiography. I have never heard of him before. It is probably one of the most touching autobiographies ever read and it resonates with me to this day. When I was at work at the radio station last weekend, I saw a box a box in the corner. I texted my boss and asked him what was the story on these books. He said Jimmy Wayne sent them to us. Feel free to take one. I never pass up a free book. I was so excited to read another book by Jimmy Wayne even if this was geared to a younger audience. It also was written about a foster dog that he takes on a long journey with him. As if I could not love Jimmy Wayne more, he writes a book about adopting a dog to walk across the country!! You can read this in a day, not because it’s this riveting page-turner, but because it’s so sweet and easy. After I finished his autobiography, I did a review on Goodreads and I said I wanted to call him friend. This made me want that even more!
February 1, 2021
Told from the prospective of Ruby the Foster Dog, this book chronicles a portion of an important walk across America, a journey taken to advocate for those close to aging out of foster care.
Mr. James picks up his pint-size traveling companion at an animal shelter in Texas, and he spends his days teaching her about the simple joys that life can bring, as well as the love people can have for one another.
Kids and adults alike will benefit from this read. It is filled with colorful drawings, simple wisdom, and great humor centered around smelly socks.
Mr. James picks up his pint-size traveling companion at an animal shelter in Texas, and he spends his days teaching her about the simple joys that life can bring, as well as the love people can have for one another.
Kids and adults alike will benefit from this read. It is filled with colorful drawings, simple wisdom, and great humor centered around smelly socks.
October 9, 2017
Ruby the Foster Dog
by Jimmy Wayne
Broadstreet Publishing Group LLC
Broadstreet Publishing Group, LLC
Children's Fiction
Pub Date 01 Nov 2017
I am reviewing Ruby the Foster Dog through Broadstreet Publishing Group, LLC and Netgalley:
Ruby is an adorable mixed breed puppy with an underbite who was abandoned in an animal shelter. Just a couple of days before she is to be put down a scruffy man comes to adopt her Mr James was not the family she was expecting but could this man be the answer to Ruby’s prayers?
Mr James, or Jimmy Wayne to his country music fans is walking halfway across the country to raise funds and awareness to the thousands of Foster children who desperately need help. Ruby soon realizes she was not much different from these kids, she had been scared and alone before Mr James had rescued her.
On their journey halfway across the country Mr James teaches Ruby about loyalty, integrity, selflessness and love. By the time they make it tomPhoenix both of their lives are changed forever, and for the better.
I found Ruby the Foster Dog to be beautifully written and illustrated, with a good message for kids from third to sixth grades.
I give Ruby the Foster Dog five out of five stars!
Happy Reading!
August 23, 2017
Thank you Net Galley for the ARC to review!
Ruby is a small mixed breed dog and her human is country singer Jimmy Wayne. Mr. James, as Ruby thinks of him, rescued her from a shelter while he was walking from Nashville to Phoenix to raise awareness about the plight of foster children, especially children ageing out of the system. Along the way they form a strong bond and heal old wounds, learning from each other.
Using a gentle conversational style, Jimmy writes about their journey through rural and historical America. His humor and spirituality make for engaging dialogue between the two. The initial setting of the shelter was so heartbreaking. (Yes, I am a rescue dog owner and I would adopt all the homeless dogs in the world of I could!) Just take that dialogue and transfer to a child's voice. Breaks your heart all over again.
Jimmy Wayne is a former foster child and this is a true story. Thank you Jimmy for writing a book that will teach children compassion and understanding. Like the change collected along the road, each tiny bit of awareness adds up to something helpful.
Ruby is a small mixed breed dog and her human is country singer Jimmy Wayne. Mr. James, as Ruby thinks of him, rescued her from a shelter while he was walking from Nashville to Phoenix to raise awareness about the plight of foster children, especially children ageing out of the system. Along the way they form a strong bond and heal old wounds, learning from each other.
Using a gentle conversational style, Jimmy writes about their journey through rural and historical America. His humor and spirituality make for engaging dialogue between the two. The initial setting of the shelter was so heartbreaking. (Yes, I am a rescue dog owner and I would adopt all the homeless dogs in the world of I could!) Just take that dialogue and transfer to a child's voice. Breaks your heart all over again.
Jimmy Wayne is a former foster child and this is a true story. Thank you Jimmy for writing a book that will teach children compassion and understanding. Like the change collected along the road, each tiny bit of awareness adds up to something helpful.
March 16, 2018
Wonderful Book for all Ages
Written from the perspective of Ruby, Jimmy's dog, this is a sweet story that highlights not only foster kids that need help, but also rescue dogs that need adopted. It was written especially for young people to be able to understand the foster system, but adults can also appreciate it's message. A must read for everyone!
Written from the perspective of Ruby, Jimmy's dog, this is a sweet story that highlights not only foster kids that need help, but also rescue dogs that need adopted. It was written especially for young people to be able to understand the foster system, but adults can also appreciate it's message. A must read for everyone!
December 6, 2019
Heartwarming
This book is entertaining & a great follow up to, “Walk to Beautiful” his first book. It touches on the highlights of the former book & gives insight into this wonderful man’s passion for foster children.
This book is entertaining & a great follow up to, “Walk to Beautiful” his first book. It touches on the highlights of the former book & gives insight into this wonderful man’s passion for foster children.
June 29, 2020
Cutest Book Ever
Ruby, the Foster Dog is written in a way that makes you think Ruby talks to Jimmy while they walk 1700 miles across America. It tells the story of shelter dogs and foster kids. Both of them offer you unconditional love.
Ruby, the Foster Dog is written in a way that makes you think Ruby talks to Jimmy while they walk 1700 miles across America. It tells the story of shelter dogs and foster kids. Both of them offer you unconditional love.
February 9, 2021
Sweet and uplifting story with a good message. Perfect to read with your kids. It is a chapter book, but simple enough that anyone can read and enjoy it (age 8+ to adult). The story is told from the dog's point of view and the illustrations are excellent.
November 5, 2017
It's a sweet, inspiring little story. It'll make you laugh, cry, and teach even us adults a thing or two. And the illustrations are beautiful. I give it 5 paws...I mean stars. 🐾🌟
November 19, 2017
“Ruby The Foster Dog” is a heartwarming children’s book that combines character education, strong messages of faith and values, and history, along with thoughts and concerns that many children in the foster care system face told through the dog Ruby. It is a most touching read with humor mixed in as you follow Ruby who was named after the ruby colored horizon on Route 66 and Jimmy on their adventure across America, meeting many special people along the way while learning about Route 66, Billy The Kid, The Grand Ole Opry, national landmarks, and much history as the readers witness the character traits firsthand between Jimmy and Ruby related to trust, work ethic, loyalty, compassion, love, perseverance, courage, learning to love yourself for your uniqueness, etc Ruby, like Jimmy, was abandoned and alone. They were both in the foster care system with Ruby’s being the shelter. She feared that no one would love her or choose her, and if they did, she feared returning that love. She was scared to attach and then be re-abandoned, however as Jimmy walks across across America with Ruby in tow, she builds her trust and learns that you have to take the risk to love and allow others to love you in return. We have many more children and adolescents in need of forever homes and this love shown by Jimmy to Ruby and vice versa, in “Ruby The Foster Dog” brings awareness to the great need of more Jimmy’s to the Ruby’s in the world. You just have to be willing to take the first step as Jimmy did stepping out onto the pavement from Nashville, TN to Phoenix, AZ to help a child in need in some way. This book can be utilized by those in the schools (social workers/therapists/guidance counselors, teaching staff, and the staff can easily create lessons to go with the story) and children as well as adults will be won over by this BEAutiful story of Ruby and Jimmy and the journey that is “Ruby The Foster Dog.” In life what sometimes appears to be the end is really a new beginning. Both Jimmy and Ruby were given this new beginning thanks to one who decided to take that first step in opening their heart and home to one in need. ❤️🐾
November 14, 2017
This book has potential and I went into it thinking it would be great to have a foster dog story to recommend to children. However, the story is more about a dog who gets adopted by a man walking across the country raising money for foster children. With such a noble cause you might think this book hit its mark. When the book moved into the dog talking to the main character and he is able to understand and talk back to the dog it just did not seem to fit with the story. About halfway through the book, Biblical verses and "moral" lessons enter the story and it began to feel too "preachy" for me. This is a book that may work in a Christian school but probably not in most public schools.
September 8, 2020
This is a sweet and inspiring chapter book based on Jimmy Wayne's walk halfway across the United States to raise awareness for children aging out of the foster care system. It is told from the perspective of the shelter dog he adopts along the way. It is more faith based than I was expecting although it does not come across as preachy. I had previously read "Walk To Beautiful" which is Jimmy Wayne's autobiography so I was already familiar with the general story of the walk. It carries the same great message that a single person can make a huge difference in the lives of others and maybe YOU should be that person.
January 15, 2018
Ths is a heart-warming, compelling read of a children’s book full of character education, strong messages of faith and strong values, a dash of history, and thoughts and concerns that many children in the foster care system might face told through the voice of a dog named Ruby.
February 9, 2020
This book is inspiring
April 29, 2020
Was a nice refreshing read. Had a lot of information on jimmy's walk about raising awareness for foster kids.
January 4, 2023
True story, but from the dog's pov.
July 20, 2023
fantastic story. not entirely a true story but it sure could have been.
November 1, 2023
Very cute, heartwarming book. I read it to my seven-year-old son who is a dog lover and he loved it.
May 12, 2025
A sweet book written with a strong purpose. I enjoyed it.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews