Love, Ruby Lavender
#1 in Aurora County Series
on Goodreads (4,852)
What’s inside...
When her quirky grandmother goes to Hawaii for the summer, nine-year-old Ruby learns to survive on her own in Mississippi by writing letters, befriending chickens as well as the new girl in town, and finally coping with her grandfather's death. Ruby Lavender and Miss Eula are a dynamic duo, involved in various adventures like saving chickens from slaughter and painting a house pink. With Miss Eula away, Ruby overcomes loneliness, makes a new friend, saves the school play, continues writing letters, and comes to terms with her grandfather's death, proving to be an eventful summer for Ruby.
Character compass
Ruby Lavender
Miss Eula
Melba Jane
Discussion points
How do you think Ruby Lavender felt when her grandmother went away? What would you do if you were in her place?
What does the word 'friendship' mean to you? How does Ruby show friendship in the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to solve a problem with a friend or family member? How did you feel, and what did you do?
What did you learn about handling big changes or surprises in life from Ruby's experiences?
Why is it important to express your feelings? How did Ruby express hers, and what can we learn from that?
Tip: Role play these questions
Actively listen to your child’s responses and validate their feelings, reinforcing that their perspective is important.
Use examples from the book, like Ruby's actions or decisions, to guide the conversation and relate them to real-life scenarios.
Encourage empathy by asking your child to consider what other characters in the story might be feeling or thinking.
Foster a deeper understanding by asking your child to draw parallels between the book’s events and their personal experiences.
Prompt critical thinking by discussing the outcomes of the book and asking what your child might have done differently in similar situations.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Understanding
Explanation: Ruby Lavender learns to understand and empathize with her grandmother's grief after her grandfather's death, as well as the struggles of other characters.
Real-World Application: Children can use this lesson to learn how to be supportive and understanding of friends and family members going through difficult times.
Example Lesson: Importance of Family Bonds
Explanation: Throughout the story, the strong relationship between Ruby and her grandmother demonstrates the importance of family support and love.
Real-World Application: Children can be encouraged to spend more time with family members and engage in activities that strengthen their family bonds.
Example Lesson: Courage to Face Changes
Explanation: Ruby shows bravery when dealing with the changes brought about by her grandmother's departure to visit her cousin, and learns to adapt.
Real-World Application: This can inspire children to embrace change positively, whether it's moving to a new place, changing schools, or other significant life changes.
Example Lesson: Value of Friendship
Explanation: The book highlights Ruby's relationships with her peers and the ways they help each other cope and grow.
Real-World Application: It underscores the importance of maintaining and cherishing friendships, and shows children how to be good friends in their own lives.