Sones, Sonya. 2004. One of those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. ISBN 9780689858208
2. Plot Summary
Ruby Milliken is struck with depression when her mother dies. Her closest family member, Aunt Duffy, cannot keep Ruby with her and she is forced to move away from her boyfriend and best friend Lizzie in Massachusetts to California with her famous father. Ruby thought that she understood everything about her father, Whip Logan, based on his lack of presence and what she learned in watching his blockbuster films. After Ruby spends more time with Whip, she progressively dislikes him less. Max, Whip’s assistant, grows very close with Ruby and helps her handle hardships and influences her to grow closer with her father. As time goes on, Ruby learns more about why her father was not around for 15 years and finally feels comfortable with her father and life in California.
3. Critical Analysis
A story of teenage angst that anyone would enjoy, Ruby Milliken tells her tale in verse and personal letters. Young adult readers that are having a difficult time picking up a book would likely benefit from giving this book a try. Most lines have one to five words making the story a quick read. Sonya Sones uses these short lines to create a cadence in verse that flows smoothly and her diction reflects that of a teenage girl very accurately. Ruby’s melodramatic descriptions and words display her emotions well with so few words. The benefits of this novel go beyond entertainment, there are so many real-life problems that are addressed in this novel which could have great impact on the reader. There are moments appropriate for laughing or crying and although Ruby is depressed about her situation she seems to make light of all of her problems.
Sones uses bolded titles at the top of the first page of each verse that have strong meaning to the plot. She also uses left alignment for all of the lines during the story unless they have significant affect. This draws the attention of the reader to the words and emphasis that the author intended. She uses word placement and font formatting to have an impact on the way that the story is interpreted. For example, Ruby and Whip are in the middle of an earthquake and the lines are shifted around the page to emphasize the chaos of her feelings during the natural disaster. Also, when the story is being told through letters the font changes to something more juvenile. Sones did a fantastic job with font formatting and depicting Ruby’s story.
4. Review Excerpt(s) and Awards
Award Nominations: Grand Canyon Reader Award, Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award, SCASL Book Award, Garden State Teen Book Award.
Award Winner: ALA Best Book for Young Adults, ALA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Iowa Teen Award.
VOICE OF YOUTH ADVOCATES - “Ruby's grieving for her mother is heartbreaking, but also humorous and never overwrought. Without being preachy, Sones addresses stereotyping, variations of friendship, betrayal by loved ones, and parent-child relationships.”
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY - “Sones gives the audience clear signals of what Ruby can't allow herself to take in. Readers will accept some melodrama because, even with a few contrivances, Ruby's voice conveys genuine emotions.”
5. Connections
- Invite readers to read What my mother doesn’t know and What my girlfriend doesn’t know by Sonya Sones -- these stories share some similar free verse which readers may enjoy.
- Ask middle school readers to discuss their thoughts on the verse novel after reading it independently.
- present questions such as:
- Did you like this novel?
- Can you relate to any of Ruby’s feelings?
- What do you think the author wanted you to get from reading this novel?
