Ruby Holler (Reviewed by Angie)

“Our mother just probably found an old box and it had that stuff in it and she didn’t pay it any attention. She probably just wrapped us up in that clean white blanket and put us inside. Maybe she wrote a note about how awful she felt having to give us up, and on that note was our real names, but maybe the wind blew that note away. You think?”

-Florida Carter

The genre of this book is realistic fiction because all the events in this book could happen in real life. Dallas and Florida aren’t just any twins they’re “trouble twins”. When Dallas and Florida were just small tiny babies their mother left them on the porch step of the Boxton Creek Home. Until that day Dallas and Florida have been looked over by the selfish and wicked Mr. and Mrs. Trepid. Dallas and Florida wanted to live a life with a loving family in a wonderful home but it seems like that’s just going to be one of those fairy tale stories for them. Mostly because they’ve been sent back from every house they’ve been to. So, finally one day an old yet active couple comes to the Boxton Creek Home and everything changes. It seems like there really can be a “happily ever after” story after all.

A Strength in this book would be that the author did a great job of creating the characters. Every time you read about a character you would think that you’re in their shoes. For example, every time something happens to a character you feel complete empathy for them. The characters life is set up so real it seems as if they’re actual people. For example, sometimes you wonder if the author wrote a biography instead of a storybook. A weakness in this book would be that the book doesn’t seem finished. You don’t know what really happened to the characters. For example, it just stops without saying much at the end. The past events aren’t finished. For example, you’re waiting to find out the ending of the past events but it’s not mentioned.

I recommend this book especially to 4th and 5th graders because I think that this audience will have a better understanding of this book. I would highly recommend this book because it’s so interesting to read. Ruby Holler would be a perfect book to read on vacation or break but you can read it when ever. Overall Ruby Holler is a “two thumbs up!!”