Ruby Lost and Found
on Goodreads (629)
What’s inside...
It’s the summer after seventh grade, and Ruby Chu is feeling more lost than ever. Her best friends aren’t speaking to her. She ended the year in detention. Her sister’s about to leave for college. Ruby’s still grieving her grandfather, Ye-Ye, when it seems like no one else is. And without Ye-Ye and his annual scavenger hunts across their hometown of San Francisco, their hometown doesn’t really feel like home anymore. Things get worse when Ruby’s forced to spend the summer with her distant grandmother, Nai-Nai, in Chinatown. But the looming shutdown of a beloved former scavenger hunt stop, May’s Bakery, and a secret about Nai-Nai threaten to change everything. Though Ruby feels out of place, maybe this summer of forming unexpected friendships and fighting to save the bakery will help Ruby reconnect with the world — and discover what it means to find home again. For fans of Kelly Yang and Rebecca Stead, this touching middle grade novel maps one girl’s quest to remember her grandfather through his scavenger hunts; reconnect with her family; and fight for her community in her rapidly changing hometown. Winner of the APALA Youth Literature Award!
Age
8-12
Length
304 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Ruby Chu
Discussion points
What do you think Ruby felt when she was lost? How would you feel in her place?
Why is it important to have friends or family to help us when we are in trouble?
How did Ruby change from the beginning to the end of the story?
What would you do if you found something important that belonged to someone else?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive reading to convey the emotions of the characters, making the story come alive for your child.
Ask your child to guess what might happen next in the story to encourage prediction skills.
Relate the story to your child’s personal experiences to deepen their understanding and empathy.
After reading, encourage your child to draw a picture of their favorite scene, promoting creativity and reinforcing story recall.
Discuss the importance of helping others and being brave, tying in real-life values.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: In 'Ruby Lost and Found', Ruby demonstrates empathy by understanding the feelings of others she meets on her journey.
Real-World Application: Children are encouraged to consider the feelings of friends and family, fostering a kinder interaction with those around them.
Example Lesson: Bravery in the Face of Uncertainty
Explanation: Ruby faces many challenges and unknowns during her adventure, teaching children the importance of facing fears and trying new things.
Real-World Application: This can help children learn to manage anxiety about new experiences or changes in their life.
Example Lesson: Problem Solving
Explanation: Throughout the story, Ruby encounters various obstacles that she must think creatively to overcome.
Real-World Application: Kids will learn to approach their own challenges with a problem-solving mindset, boosting their critical thinking skills.
Example Lesson: The Importance of Asking for Help
Explanation: When Ruby realizes she is lost, she learns to ask for help, which plays a crucial role in her journey back home.
Real-World Application: This teaches children that seeking help when needed is a strength, not a weakness, encouraging them to reach out when they're unsure.
Example Lesson: Resilience
Explanation: Despite the setbacks Ruby faces, her determination and resilience drive her to keep moving forward.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of perseverance in achieving goals, no matter the obstacles they encounter.