Ruby Holler (2002) by Sharon Creech

We’ve all read children’s stories of orphans being taken in and changing the lives of the sullen people around them, but here is a different, and probably more realistic, take.  Orphan twins, Dallas and Florida, are, as one might expect, a bit untrusting, very much hurt (though they might not admit it), and extremely prone to mischief.  They haven’t been dealt a great hand in life at their orphanage and haven’t learned about trust or love or respect from anyone except each other.  When an older couple takes them in temporarily, the reader witnesses the changes that take place for all of them, but especially the young teen orphans.

While I wouldn’t call this one of my favorite books, it was satisfying in a quiet sort of way.  To speak my truth, I didn’t always like the twins, but as the book progresses, you begin to understand why they are the way they are.  And when seen through Sairy’s eyes, you can see past the childish mistakes to the true nature of these kids.  In fact, several times throughout the book, I told my husband I’d like to be able to handle our child’s “mistakes,” “mischief,” “disasters” more like Sairy would.

Ch 43
“Maybe what you consider goofs aren’t what I consider goofs—it’s just stuff that happens.”  (Tiller)

Ch 45
“What’s a little rain?  What’s a little water?  What’s a little lostness?”  (Tiller)

Ch 15
“Do you think we were good parents?”

Sairy—“Of course we were, once we made our mistakes and got over worrying so much.  Sometimes I think we were just getting really good at it when all of a sudden those kids were grown up and gone.  Maybe that’s why it seems easier to me now, with Florida and Dallas.  I figure we know what to expect and we know how to love kids.”

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