I cannot believe that I didn't know this book was set in Seattle. Not only Seattle, but Beacon Hill. Not only Beacon Hill, but she goes to Kimball and she lives by the Jefferson Park golf course. I know this particular little slice of neighborhood very well, and it delights me to see it in print. Ruby is a charmer, and her adventures are excellent and age appropriate. Good stuff! ( )

Ruby Lu, I'm in love with you!

Ruby is as spirited as her Pacific Northwest predecessor, Ramona, and her east coast counterpart, Clementine. She is confident - sometimes too confident - and cherished by her parents and baby brother, Oscar. The family's Chinese-American customs and food are naturally part of Ruby's life, so they are naturally part of her story. A highlight is the chapter where, after watching her Gung Gung teach her Poh Poh how to drive, Ruby drives herself and Oscar to Chinese school (four blocks away) on a Saturday morning - and her takeaway lesson is not to park in the principal's spot!

Ruby also navigates a close but competitive friendship with her neighbor Emma, deals with a new-to-the-neighborhood bully, Christina, and prepares for her cousin, aunt, and uncle to arrive from China. ( )

"Ruby Lu, Brave and True" is a hilarious and silly chapter book. Ruby, a Chinese american girl, loves her family and friends and she also loves magic. Ruby finally gets the courage to attend Chinese weekend school. She loves it but gets discouraged when her brother is learning Chinese faster then her. Ruby always wants to be the best, and the center of attention. This creates a lot of problems with her life. Throughout the book Ruby learns that it isn't always the best to get angry or jealous over silly things. She grows as a person in this story and overcomes personal problems that she struggled with. This book was so fun to read, it includes so many funny illustrations to go along with this silly story. I know kids will love this hilarious chapter book. This will be a great book to have your students read, its enjoyable and also teaches a great lesson about wanting to be the center of attention. ( )

Ruby Lu Brave and True is a early reader chapter book. This story is about a 2nd grade Chinese American girl who tells of the highs and lows of elementary life in a comedic form. Ruby Lu is exciting about a lot of things, but she is also very nervous about many others things. Throughout the story you see how she deals with each situations.
This book would be great to use in the classroom and also to discuss given it has some cultural aspects to it. Some questions that could be asked are... Can anyone relate to this situation? If so please tell.
There are not a lot of illustrations in this chapter book, but images that are in this story are bright and vibrant which go perfectly with Ruby Lu's personality. Great story to use in the classroom for a funny read and can interact with the children. ( )

This early chapter book tells the tales of Ruby Lu, a young Asian-American girl. Ruby loves her live, except when she doesn't. She loves her brother Oscar, but he doesn't do what she wants him to. She doesn't like the thought of going to Chinese school because it is on Saturday. But then she likes it, even though she finds learning Chinese very hard. Ruby likes to do magic tricks and she really wants to drive a car (at eight!). This is an entertaining book, which also helps young readers begin to see the challenges of straddling between two cultures - especially East and West. Ruby also wants to be independent but she just can't do everything she wants to do.

I like the multicultural aspect of this book, which is done in a fun and entertaining way, but it still lends itself to reflection on what it is like to be part of two very different cultures. This is a fabulous book for children who are in this situation and may have a personal connection to this type of experience. I think this is a wonderful series to included in the classroom and it would lend itself well to small group or pair and share discussions. ( )