Ruby on the Outside Paperback – June 14, 2016

This short book for middle grade readers handles its topic (the incarceration of a parent) with sensitivity and empathy. Ruby's evolving feelings of shame, longing, and anger are believably portrayed. Ruby deals with them all in the context of a budding first best-friendship. Ruby has never mentioned to anyone that her mother is in prison. What would her friend Margalit think if Margalit knew? Especially if, as Ruby begins to suspect, Margalit's family is somehow connected with her mother's case?What shone for me in this story even more than Ruby's friendship with Margalit were her remembered encounters with other children during visiting hours at the prison: Tevin, who's confident his family's letter-writing campaign will get his mom out of prison, and Rebecca, who has both parents in prison and tells Ruby she can look up her mother's case online. Through their stories as well as Ruby's, you get a very clear picture of what it's like to have an imprisoned parent.The story had just the right touch, for me. It's definitely focused on its theme, but the characters are well developed and feel emotionally true, and the story through which the theme is investigated kept my interest and sympathy. The one storytelling choice that surprised and perplexed me was the solution to the problem of Margalit's family's connection to Ruby's mother's crime. The initial set-up seemed implausible, but its negation made for a situation that was equally implausible. Overall, however, the story is very believable and was a pleasure to read.

This book did a fantastic job of helping you see what the other victims of crime, the children of the offender, go through. I cried for Ruby who so badly just wanted her mom home with her. But as she grew older she then struggled with the secret of where her mom was. Excellent book that made you realize that the kids are victims too.

My daughter loves this book. Age appropriate for an 11 year old

What a gift this book is - not only an inspiring and sensitive exploration of this particular topic - kids with parents in prison - but also a blueprint for navigating the changing and assumption/disappointment-filled relationship between any parent and child. I love how the mother talks to Ruby and genuinely wants to understand how she feels, even if it’s difficult to hear what she has to say. There are also some wonderful insights about true friendship, and how it all starts with accepting yourself.I didn’t want the story to end – how about a sequel?

I really enjoyed this book. The author was able to describe with accuracy and great compassion the experience of a parent is in prison as told through the eyes of the child. Equally important, the authenticity of Ruby's voice and her thoughts about peer relationships and the need for a best friend is well accomplished. I appreciated the writing style and that the story and narrative rings true. I loved the role writing played in book and the integrity and maturity of her friend.

This was a wonderful book. My daughter (now in 6th grade), chose it for her summer reading program at school. She really enjoyed this book and coukdn’t stop reading it. That makes a mother very proud!

Good

This book is insightful, knowledgable and compassionate, and very enjoyable to read. I hope this book is widely read as few of us are sufficiently aware of, or sensitive to, the burdens carried by children whose parents are incarcerated.