Ruby Holler

Creech, Sharon. Ruby Holler. New York: Joanna Cotler Books, 2002.

Dallas and Florida Carter, “the trouble twins,” have been in and out of foster homes and just cannot seem to get out of The Boxton Creek Home, a decrepit orphanage. Mr. and Mrs. Trepid, the managers of the orphanage have rules…lots and lots of rules. Unfortunately, Dallas and Florida keep breaking the rules and end up in the “thinking corner” in the basement for hours at a time.

When Tiller and Sairy come into their lives, the twins are skeptical. Will they be sent back to the home? Will they be punished for touching things? What horrible things will they have to do? Life begins to change for Dallas and Florida as they realize that there are people who are capable of love and actually care for others. For these two unwanted children, life, love and hope can all be found in Ruby Holler.

Once again…New Favorite Author. I read this book in its entirety after TAKS (once my student was finished…the test was turned in…there were no testing irregularities…) I simply could not put it down! Honestly, I kept waiting for something very bad to happen. I knew it was coming, but did not want to see anything happen to any of these characters. Creech has a wonderful way of making the characters so alive that they jump right out of the book and into the heart.

What others have to say…

“A supremely satisfying story, told with healthy doses of drama, suspense, and humor.”

2003. "Ruby Holler (Book)." School Library Journal 49, no. 10: 54-54. Academic Search Complete, EBSCOhost (accessed May 8, 2009).