Module 7 Ruby Holler by Sharon Creech

Summary

Dallas and Florida are orphans known as the trouble twins. They live in an orphanage run by the Trepids, who are very strict. Most of the adults in their life have been awful to them so far. Then the twins are taken away by Tiller and Sairy to join them on their separate vacations. Neither pair has been separated for any extended period of time. Tiller goes with Florida on an expedition down river. Sairy and Dallas go birding on an island. At first, Dallas and Florida don't know what to make of Tiller and Sairy's kindness, bu they are eventually one over. Tiller and Sairy realize that this may be the perfect time to let these children into their lives.

My impressions

This was an interesting read and you do really start rooting for the kids. It was amazing how incredibly mean the adults were to these kids. All of the main characters are likable. The author does an excellent job of portraying the character's relationships with each other. The way the characters interact is also very well-written.

Reviews

“In an unusual approach for a children's book, Tiller and Sairy's points of view are at least as important as those of Dallas and Florida; and how the foursome play off one another is one of the key points of the narrative. There's a larger-than-life feel to this novel that makes the minor characters and subplots feel a bit out of scale--or out of sync--but the main story rests squarely on the four well-drawn characters. A stylized yet solid story from the author of the Newbery-award-winning Walk Two Moons”
Phelan, C. (1994). Reviews. Booklist, August


“This poignant story evokes a feeling as welcoming as fresh-baked bread. The slow evolution of the siblings who are no angels parallels the gradual building of mutual trust for the Moreys. The novel celebrates the healing effects of love and compassion. Although conflicts emerge, readers will have little doubt that all will end well for the children and the grandparently”

(1994). Reviews. Publisher's Weekly, August

Suggestions for use in a Library Setting

This is too advanced and lengthy to be read in class. Chapters could be read weekly, however this may be a semester long project. It might be a great project to have kids write about how they would react to the orphans if they were their parents or guardians. This could be made into a journal type project.