ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Sones, Sonya.2004. one of those hideous books where the mother dies. New York, New York: Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers.

ISBN: 978-1-4169-0788-6

PLOT SUMMARY:

Anyone who has ever lost their mother at a young age will relate to this book about a fifteen year old girl named Ruby. Ruby’s mother has just died and she finds herself on a plane headed to California where she will live with her famous dad. A dad that, according to Ruby, does not love or care about her since he has never come to see her or visit her. Being torn away from her best friend, her boyfriend and her loving aunt, Ruby writes about her feelings and other events that take place during this time. Along with the usual teen-age problems, worries, grief and anger at her deceased mother, Ruby also deals with her best friend stealing her boyfriend and a tearful reconciliation with her dad. All in all, this book has all the drama one can expect from the life of a teen-ager.

CRITICAL ANALYSIS:

            Sonya Sones has hit the nail on the head with this book. Teen-agers who read it will sympathize with Ruby and older readers will be left remembering their teen years. Written almost like a journal, each poem sequentially tells Ruby’s story. Sones’ use of vivid and sometimes graphic language helps the reader understand exactly what Ruby is feeling. Sones’ reference to Ruby’s dad in the book as a “sperm donor” leaves the reader with no doubt as to her feelings for her father. Powerful images are conjured up by the phrases she uses. In American Airlines Flight 6, she writes,

“and my mother’s grave,

where she lies in a cold wooden box

under six feet of dirt,

just beginning to rot.”

This passage describing the mother’s gravesite allows the reader to actually envision the cemetery and feel the same melancholy that Ruby does. In Walking to School for the First Time, she describes a jogger as “A Barbie-doll-sprung-to life.” Everything about Sones’ writing draws the reader in and has an emotional impact. Due to some of the graphic language used in the book however, I would not recommend this book to elementary or middle school readers.

REVIEWS:

School Library Journal: “Despite several predictable particulars of plot, Ruby's story is gripping, enjoyable, and memorable.”

Booklist: “A satisfying, moving novel.”

AWARDS:

International Reading Association Young Adults’ Choice (2006)

2005 Best Book for Young Adults by the American Library Association

2005 Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers by the American Library Association

Nominated by the American Library Association to be a 2004 Teens’ Top Ten Book

CONNECTIONS:

     This book has many connection possibilities. It lends itself well to discussions about losing a parent, moving to a new place, how to handle grief to name just a few.  Students could also try writing their own story in verse.

Other books by Sonia Sones:

                       what my mother doesn’t know

                       what my girlfriend doesn’t know