Ruby's Wish

by Shirin Yim Bridges

Book Overview

Ruby is unlike most little girls in old China. Instead of aspiring to get married, Ruby is determined to attend university when she grows up, just like the boys in her family. Based upon the inspirational story of the author's grandmother and accompanied by richly detailed illustrations, Ruby's Wish is an engaging portrait of a young girl who strives for more and a family who rewards her hard work and courage.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0811834905
• ISBN13: 9780811834902
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Chronicle Books
• Length: 36 Pages
• Weight: 0.91 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 8.8" x 11.0"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Preschool to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

The Greatest Story.

My story is Ruby's Wish.It is by Shirn Yim Bridges,it was a great story.It's about a girl who loves red.Ruby is good in school.The boys had cler all she had was only the letters.She wrote a pome that said;also bad luck to be a girl,worse to born in this house were only boys are cared for. My favorite part was at the end. The book had very good illustrations. I hope you read this book.

Enchanting book for smart kids wanting a chance to learn

In olden China, a family with over a hundred members lives in one large house. The grandfather patriarch sets up a school just for his grandchildren. This story focuses on one girl, nicknamed Ruby because she always wore red. Ruby loved to learn and felt badly that boys were given more opportunities than the girls were. Boys were able to go to university; girls got married. After writing a simple poem expressing her thoughts, the grandfather asked Ruby to tell him why she felt that way. The next New Year's Day, Ruby was given more than her usual "lucky money" in her traditional red envelope. She had a letter of acceptance to a university -- making her one of the first women to attend. This story is written by Ruby's grandchild. This story is simple and sweet. The kids are so cute, and you get a bit of Chinese culture by understanding gender roles and holiday customs.

This is a Great Book!

This book is a very inspiring book and I can't believe it hasn't been reviewed before. I don't want to reveal the surprise at the end but it is very sweet. A Chinese girl wants to go to school. What does her grandfather say?

Lovely, true story of a girl in China

Ruby, a little girl living in turn-of-the-century China, is so named because she loves red, not just on holidays, but every day of the year. She also loves to study with her cousins in the school provided by her wealthy grandfather. Her calligraphy is especially fine, and she comes to her grandfather?s attention when she writes the couplet ?Alas, bad luck to be born a girl, worse luck to be born into this house where only boys are cared for.? Her grandfather questions her kindly and finds out that she would rather attend university than enter marriage?which is, of course, expected of all girls at the time...On the last page we learn that this is a true story, based on the author?s grandmother. We also get to see a photograph of this grandmother, one of the first women university students in China. And we learn that ?every day, she still wears a little red.?This is a gem of a book, with simple yet evocative writing and beautiful illustrations which capture emotions wonderfully and provide a wealth of detail on Chinese dress and décor of the time.

Gorgeous book with a powerful theme.

Serendipity brought this book into our home and I'm so grateful. It is a beautiful book in every way, from its vibrant illustrations to its messages of respect -- for oneself, for one's elders, for one's culture and for the never-ending gift of learning. The story of Ruby, a Chinese girl whose intelligence, integrity and confidence inspired her family patriarch to break with tradition, speaks to all. We are African-American parents of a son. We read this book to him often and we know that, through hearing Ruby's story, our son's perspective on life and the world in which he lives has been enormously enriched.