Fool's Errand

Beat Street #2

by Jenna Zark

When her best friend Sophie goes missing, 12-year-old Ruby Tabeata has a choice: wait for her friend to come home or defy her parents and find Sophie.

Set during the 1950s Blacklist era when writers like Sophie’s mom were being jailed or fired, Fool’s Errand sends Ruby out of her city and her comfort zone.


With nothing to rely on but her grit and determination, Ruby has to outsmart the men chasing Sophie and her mom—discovering that whether or not you succeed, trying to save a friend is never a fool’s errand.


Read part one of this middle-grade Beat Street Series, The Beat on Ruby’s Street, to learn how Ruby’s story begins.

Genres: Historical Fiction

150 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 20, 2018

About the author

Jenna Zark is a columnist, lyricist, and playwright. Her play A Body of Water was published by Dramatists Play Service and produced regionally after its debut at Circle Repertory in
New York. Other plays were produced in the Twin Cities, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and St. Louis. As a columnist at TC Jewfolk, Zark writes about her relationships to Jewish holidays, rituals, and more. Columns have been reprinted in MinnPost, the Star Tribune, the Forward, and elsewhere. Literary essays and poems appeared in FieldReport and Stoneboat; articles have appeared in Woodbury magazine, Minnesota Bride and Midwest Home. Zark is also a member of the songwriting collective Prosody. She is still trying to figure out if it’s harder to write a play, novel or a song. To share your thoughts on that or learn more, please visit www.jennazark.com.

Reviews

[Dianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A dark blot on America’s checkered past comes to life through the eyes of an effervescent young girl when her best friend must go into hiding with her mother during the infamous McCarthy era Blacklist witch hunt. One thing for certain, Ruby will not be deterred when she makes up her mind to find and support her best friend, Sophie.

Jenna Zark speaks through the mind and maturity of a twelve-year-old who is not innocent to the dark side of life or the machinations of adults in the name of “what is good for you.” FOOL’S ERRAND has all of the sparkle of the magic of being a middlegrade student who is on a mission, because isn’t part of the wonder of youth being unafraid of boundaries?

While I loved Ruby’s heart, her sense of right and wrong and her loyalty, she managed to pull off some stunts that really didn’t set well with me for younger readers. That said, as a political history lesson for the 1950’s, Jenna Zark does present it in a way a child could relate to, although understanding it all is often far beyond an adult’s comprehension.

Witty, sharp and cleverly done, Ruby is that kid we all could have been and perhaps many of us were!

I received a complimentary ARC edition from Jenna Zark!

Series: The Beat Street - Book 2
Publisher: Dragon Moon Press (November 20, 2018)
Publication Date: November 20, 2018
Genre: Middlegrade Adventure
Print Length: 150 pages
Available from: Amazon
For Reviews, Giveaways, Fabulous Book News, follow: http://tometender.blogspot.com

[Siobhan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fool’s Errand is the second book in Jenna Zark’s Beat Street series, and it was just as enjoyable as the first. As soon as I was finished with the first book, The Beat on Ruby’s Street, I jumped straight into Fool’s Errand and once again found myself addicted to the world.

In The Beat on Ruby’s Street we were introduced to a wonderful cast of characters and a great storyline, and Fool’s Errand provides the same thing. We get more of the characters we came to enjoy so much in the first book, and the storyline continues on from the first book. It’s not simply a continuation of our characters’ growth from the first book, it is more than that – it provides us with another unique story that gives us an insight to the time.

Like The Beat on Ruby’s Street, my knowledge of the time in which Fool’s Errand is set is rather lacking. However, the world was brought to life before me throughout Fool’s Errand, and in the end I found myself curious about the time and willing to do a bit of research. Add in the fact this is another wonderful young adult tale – another story that includes all the goodness of a coming of age novel – and you’re guaranteed to be hooked throughout.

Without a doubt, I’ll be willing to read more Beat Street books if more are released.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twelve year old Ruby Tabeata is ready to have a fun summer. However, she finds out that her best friend Sophie is forced into hiding with her mother after her mother attended a Communist meeting. The House Un-American Activities Committee would like to serve Sophie's mom in order to have her turn in other people who have attended meetings as well. Ruby wants to help Sophie and her mother after her mother loses her job and goes on the run, but after last year's run-in with a social worker, Ruby's mom has set some rules for her. Ruby decides to chase Sophie all the way to Illinois along with her brother's girlfriend JoJo. Although, her intentions may end up hurting more than helping.

An exciting and dangerous middle grade adventure in the 1950's. Fool's Errand picks up soon after book 1, The Beat of Ruby's Street leaves off and I would highly encourage reading that first in order to get to Ruby. Through Ruby, I learned a little more about America's hidden history of the House Un-American Activities Committee and the Hollywood Blacklist that Sophie's mom was placed on. Ruby's adventure was also a coming-of-age journey for her where she expanded out of the Beat society and learned that her actions had consequences. Ruby also learned more of the rules of society that she didn't always experience as a Beat and gained maturity as she learned to trust others and that not everything will go the way you think.

This book was received for free in return for an honest review.

[Sandra Stiles · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do for your best friend? Ruby would go anywhere she is needed to help her friend. When Ruby’s best friend Sophie and her mother have to leave, Ruby is willing to travel from New York to Indiana just to make sure her friend and mom are okay. Sophie’s mother is a comedy writer caught up in what was called the “Red Scare”. A time when entertainers in particular were targeted and encouraged to name their friends who the government considered communists or communist sympathizers. This was a great book. It teaches about a time kids know nothing about. Sophie has to learn how to communicate with both of her parents, how to trust people and how to make a difference. This is the second book in the Beat Street series. A great series for middles school students.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. They should be read in order, because events from the first book are mentioned in the second.

The plot is centered around 12 year old Ruby attempting to "help" her best friend, whose mother - a writer - is having some legal issues with her profession.

I enjoyed the story and the historical trivia behind it, but didn't really like the main character, personally, that much. Partly though, I think that has to do with the philosophies of the "beat" movement (which I'm not overly familiar with, but I get the gist of it). When she isn't being manipulative or sneaky, she just plain gets in the way, poking her nose where she shouldn't in the name of standing up against authority. This is clearly a girl who has been raised without rules - something that is even mentioned in this book - which is one of her own personal flaws. I'm interested to see whether she matures any as the series goes on.

I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Erin J Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Beat on Ruby's Street was one of my favorite middle grade books ever. It was amazing. I was glued to the page, I reveled in the simple yet beautiful style, and perhaps best of all, the book fed my hopeless poetry addiction.

So when I heard that Jenna Zark had written a sequel about Ruby and her friends, I was ecstatic. In my opinion, Fool's Errand didn't quite reach the level of literary perfection that The Beat on Ruby's Street achieved, but it was still a fantastic read: clever, exciting, and heartwarming.

At the center of the novel is Ruby Tabeata, and a heroine more lovable, spunky, and indomitable would be difficult to find. Being a Beat (and a preteen) Ruby is apt to question and challenge everything. She's stubborn as anything and determined not to let anyone push her around. And that extends to the people she cares about--Ruby won't let anyone harm them if she can help it. She'll do whatever she can to protect her friends, especially her best friend Sophie.

That's the starting plot for Fool's Errand: Sophie and her mother have gone missing, and Ruby is determined to find them. While The Beat on Ruby's Street painted a vibrant picture of life as a Beat in 1950s Greenwich Village, Fool's Errand paints a picture of life in the days of the Blacklist, when writers and artists had to defend themselves against accusations of Communism.

For young readers, it's an excellent introduction to one of America's darker episodes. But while it's historical fiction, Ruby isn't some antiquated 1950s heroine; she could be living in our time--and if she were, I have a hunch she'd be dealing with a lot of the very same issues: societal prejudices, broken families, political backstabbing, etc. Struggling to understand your parents, breaking the rules to protect a friend, making a situation worse when you only meant to help--these things will always be relevant.

Besides that, Ruby is such a strong, passionate character that she spans generations. She's so full of love but she gets frustrated when people don't understand her and when they harm the people close to her. She's incredibly brave and loyal but far from perfect. Aren't we all?

I think, at bottom, this book is about people: what binds them together, how they can surprise you, how a person you hate can suddenly become your friend, how a friend can make a mistake out of an overabundance of love, and how, in the end, we're all just doing the best we can.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Safely back with her mother after a short time spent in a group home, Ruby is trying to adjust to the recent changes in her life. Due to the social worker that took Ruby away from her parents, the entire family is now split up. Ruby's mother married a friend in order to provide a more stable home life, while her father spends even more time on the road with his band. Her older brother Ray is home only between gigs with their father's band, and even when he is in town he is often out with his new girlfriend. Ruby has grown even closer to her best friend Sophie during all the upheaval, including the transition to attending public school.

But Sophie has problems of her own, since her mother has been blacklisted as a communist sympathizer and cannot find work (writing scripts for TV and stage). And after their last day of school, Sophie and Mrs. Tanya disappear. Mrs. T as Ruby calls her, is trying to avoid testifying before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, because she knows they will demand that she give the names of other writers or industry friends who may have attended a Communist meeting or shown sympathy to their cause. Ruby reflects that, "Mainly I think Congress believes everyone in Russia has cooties...And Congress doesn’t want Americans to get them." It may seem that she is downplaying the serious situation, but for a 12-year-old with Beat generation parents, it probably does seem as though the committee members are some sort of playground bullies. And the sporadic letters (with no return addresses), only tell Ruby enough about Sophie's situation to make her very frightened for her friend.

Readers will be amazed at the details packed into the story - the sights, sounds, and even smells of the Village in 1958 fill Ruby's life. Along with the descriptions of Italian ice flavors and the music of corner street buskers in the Village, the author also adds in layers of racial relations. Ruby's brother Ray met Jo-Jo "while she was waitressing at the restaurant where her mom works. She said other customers don’t even see her when they order and he looked her right in the eye and smiled." Being treated as invisible because her parents are Chinese is something that Jo-Jo is used to, just as Ruby's friend Bo is accustomed to being treated differently because he is a black man. His determination to join the Civil Rights activists in Mississippi has all his friends afraid for his safety.

Amidst all the change and unrest, can Ruby possibly find Sophie and make sure she is safe?

For fans of historical fiction, Fool's Errand is an option to explore for the scene in Greenwich Village in the late 1950s, the state of racial inequity, and the climate of fear created by the HUAC Blacklist. Recommended for ages 10+. I read an e-book provided by the publisher for review purposes.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, but I did not read the first one and had little trouble diving into the second. In other words, this can be read fairly well as a stand alone.

Ruby is twelve-years-old and lives with her mother and step-father during the 1950's. It's Summer break, but her best friend, Sophie, has gone missing. Sophie's mother is a well-known comedy writer but has fallen prey to the Blacklist, an unofficial list put out by the government during their hunt for Communists. Sophie's mother is on the run, knowing that a subpoena will force her to either betray her friends and colleagues or land her in jail. Ruby is determined to help Sophie but has some of her own familiar problems to deal with.

This story takes a look at a lesser known point of American history. The author has done her homework and weaves details from the era carefully into the story, bringing the surroundings to life without slowing down the pace. Ruby visits various cities and towns, allowing a broader impression of the time period to unfold. Care is taken to keep the character's speech patterns, concerns and daily activities attune to the historical scene, making this a rich read for those wanting to learn more about the time period. I can only recommend it for classrooms, teachers, group discussions and home schoolers. To make it even more ideal as a learning tool, there are discussion question presented at the end.

As a fictional read for middle graders, I'd recommend it more for the older end of the spectrum. The language fits a twelve-year-old of the time but might prove a little daunting for reluctant readers. The first chapters especially are spent either in Ruby's head or Sophie's letters. The letters are well done and allow Sophie's predicament and personality to come to life and grab the reader. Ruby, however, spends the first chapters explaining the happenings around her (politics, Beat life, Blacklist, her family life) to the reader and herself. It's interesting and explains the setting, which readers otherwise wouldn't understand. But again, more reluctant readers will struggle. Once the story gets going, the book hooks and holds until the last page.

Ruby is a character to love or dislike. She's a kid with lots of spunk, tons of freedom and is very outspoken. At times, she was easy to connect to. Other moments, she was simply rude and forced her way around, and not necessarily in a good way. Still, the message brought across sit and inspire young readers to stand for what they believe. And the friendship between Sophie and Ruby is golden.

This as a great read for older middle graders and tweens, when brought in connection with the desire to learn more about this historical era.

[Hannah Garrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I Loved:
As with the first book in the Beat Street Series, I really loved Ruby in this book. She’s her own woman who comes up with her own plans and follows through. She’s tenacious and driven. Also, her loyalty to her friend is really admirable.

In this book, we also see a bit more of the back drop of the 1950s come into focus, both with the House Un-American Activities Committee and mentions of the Civil Rights movement in the South. I appreciated how these historical points, which are very relevant to modern events, were weaved into the story to lend context to Ruby’s life.

I also really enjoyed the introduction of some new characters, including Jo-Jo and Ms. Dandridge, who both lent a bit of wisdom and sanity when Ruby drove her plans off the rails, so to speak. It was also nice to see Mrs. Levitt get more development. She’s a complicated character for sure, but I appreciate that she’s not painted strictly as a villain, but an adult who genuinely wants to see Ruby prosper, even if Ruby doesn’t appreciate her help all the time.

What I Didn’t Love:
So, some spoilers. The central plot of the book focuses on Ruby lying to her parents and traveling cross country to some place she’s never been to find Sophie. Granted, she’s with Jo-Jo, who is older and more responsible. But still, I will be honest and say that I struggled with this. Ruby is 11. I was uncomfortable, for sure, imagining myself as 11-year-old Ruby making this choice, or even worse, a child I was responsible for doing this. This is a realistic novel, not fantasy, so the real-world implications of this action were very present in my mind. But, just because a book makes me uncomfortable doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy it or think it lacks merit. Let’s say I’m still processing how I feel about the central plot of the story.

Would I Recommend:
Yes. While I fully admit I was uncomfortable with the central plot, I don’t think just because something makes you uncomfortable it should be avoided. In fact, this book made me think a lot about my assumptions of the personal agency of adolescents. And it was a well written, gripping adventure and I read through it quickly, wanting to know what would happen to Ruby. I would suggest that parents read first before handing off to their younger readers, and potentially being ready for dinner time discussions about Ruby’s journey.

[Billy Buttons · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was entered in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards. This is what our readers thought:
Title: Fool's Errand (book 2 in the Beat Street Series)
Author: Jenna Zark

Star Rating: 5 Stars
Number of Readers: 15
Stats
Editing: 8/10
Writing Style: 8/10
Content: 8/10
Cover: 7/10
Of the 15 readers:
14 would read another book by this author.
11 thought the cover was good or excellent.
15 felt it was easy to follow.
15 would recommend this story to another reader to try.
Of all the readers, 9 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘plotting a story’.
Of all the readers, 6 felt the author’s strongest skill was ‘developing the characters’.
9 felt the pacing was good or excellent.
15 thought the author understood the readership and what they wanted.

Readers’ Comments
‘Ruby is very outspoken and headstrong which I liked a lot. I thought this was an interesting story as it was set in recent history in America. I thought the whole communist thing and how they started suspecting everybody of being a spy as crazy – but it made for a great story.’ Girl, aged 12
‘This is a fascinating novel for middle grade. It looks at a lot of important problems that existed then and now, including prejudice, political activism, and the importance of family. I would recommend it for older kids, say 11 – 15. The hero, Ruby, is a wild child; tough, impulsive, and perfect as a protagonist for this novel. Pacing was good although the beginning was a bit slow. But when the story got going, it was a blast. The children in my class enjoyed it very much.’ Primary teacher, aged 41
‘It was a little difficult to understand everything as I’m in England and this was set in America. But it was interesting anyway.’ Boy, aged 12
‘The best half was the second half when lots happened and it was exciting. The first half was all about the political setting. Although I understand why the author did it, it made it hard work for my ‘reluctant reader’ son. I think a lot of this info needs to be incorporated better into the story, thereby not killing the pacing.’ Mother, aged 35

To Sum It Up:
‘A gripping story with a powerful 1950s American setting. A FINALIST and highly recommended.’ The Wishing Shelf Book Awards

[s. · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Disclaimer: I got this copy in exchange for an honest review which surely not affect my opinion in any way**

Unlike the first book, Fool’s Errand have Sophie’s letters throughout the book which we can also see her perspective about what’s happening. I did say I like her because she’s funny, but I think I like her more now. In here, we can get to know herself a lot more than the previous book. Sophie is a witty person and is always the chirpy one. Even though she’s having a problem, she always keep a positive mindset with her; telling herself that everything will settled at the end of the day. She shakes all the bad energy and try to make everything is an adventure of her life which she needs to play along and explore it instead of getting away with it.

Not just that, I am also liking this style of Ruby here. I feel the author has stepped up her game with the writing style. Ruby’s mind is much more fun in here (not that the first book wasn’t fun) but this one, her perspective is much more carefree and enjoyable. I’m glad to say that I enjoy reading it.

What I like more about this book is how I can see both Sophie’s and Ruby’s adventures. Sophie is somewhere else; definitely on the run but exploring new things and being adventurous, as they’d say while Ruby is also somewhere else; trying to trail behind Sophie and also is having her own adventure. It’s really fun to see these two best friends having their own adventurous time but is also worrying about each other.

Read my full review here https://moonlightpages.wordpress.com/...

[Kasey Giard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just like in THE BEAT ON RUBY’S STREET, I found Ruby’s character really fun and realistic. I loved the way she explains things, and her loyalty and devotion to the people she loves. I thought it was interesting watching her relationships with her parents grow and change. It felt like she was figuring out some important things.

The setting explores a bit of the Blacklist era and what happens when someone is reported to have been at meetings with Communists in the 1950s. Ruby and her friends help her best friend’s mom hide from men sent by the House Committee on Un-American Activities. In some of those scenes, Ruby is largely a bystander, watching and comforting her friend while the adults figure out what to do next. She does take an active role in helping at times, though.

On the whole, I still enjoyed the characters and the ways the social issues of the day impacted the story and Ruby’s family and friends. I think fans of THE BEAT ON RUBY’S STREET will enjoy seeing another adventure from their favorite Beat poet.

Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

[Gina Rae Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fool’s Errand is book two in Jenna Zark’s Beat Street series. I enjoyed the continuation of Ruby’s story.

Life in the late 1950s is still full of joy and turmoil for young Ruby. The Beat scene is going strong, but so is McCarthyism. The Committee for Un-American Activities targets Ruby’s best friend's mother, forcing them into hiding. Ruby tries her best to help. The story also touches on the edge of the developing civil rights movement.

The author's writing continues to be strong and concise. The settings are beautifully portrayed. I think it's important to demonstrate the courage of ordinary people struggling to live their best life in a difficult era. Yet, there is joyfulness to be found in their daily lives.

This is a highly entertaining book for readers of all ages.

[The Christian Book Critic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fool’s Errand is the second book in the young adult series, The Beat Street Series by Jenna Zark. As a continuation of the first book, the readers are reintroduced to twelve-year-old Ruby Tabeata, as she adjusts to living with her mom, Nell-Mom and her Stepdad, Chaz in a new apartment. Ruby’s best friend, Sophie’s mom, Mrs. T, is a comedy writer who becomes blacklist after the United States government accused her of being a communist. Scared for her life, Mrs. T and Sophie disappear into the night. Ruby’s only clues of Sophie’s whereabouts are letters she receives from Sophie. Determined to help her best friend, Ruby, runs away home with a fire and determination to find Sophie and her mom and help them fight the United States government.

[Andreea · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was sent a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The second book started with a shift in tone and adding a new voice (in the form of Sophie’s letters) was marvelous and I was eagerly waiting for more of her chapters because I really liked Sophie.

We get to know the characters a bit more and see what happened to them after the first book. It was nice to see the changes in their relationships and how they developed, however once again I did not find myself intrigued or interested in the main plot.

The Beat Street series could be a nice middle grade series introducing kids to important events from American history and the 50s.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fool's Errand brings history alive. A dark time in American history, the witch hunts surrounding the fear of Communism. Told through the eyes of Ruby, a brilliant girl who will draw you into her life as if it were your own. The second book in the series, Ruby hasn't missed a beat (pun a little intended). Her spunk and smarts and loyalty are all that stands between her best friend and ruin. A brilliant adventure that will transport you back to historic NY.