Ruby Red - Book Review

Browsing through the local library in search of a good book to read I came across Ruby Red, the second book by critically acclaimed novelist and animal rescuer, Linzi Glass. The bright cover caught my eye, well, that and the fact it didn't have a plastic dust jacket on! So what's it about and is it any good?

Ruby Red is a teenager, an only child, who lives with her parents in South Africa. Set in times where discrimination was rife, her parents have a unique view in that environment that everyone is equal, and those beliefs have been instilled in Ruby. Her mother, an artist, has a gallery featuring the work of black artists, and it's those same black artists that she shelters in her house, Ruby's home. As a result Ruby has to be extremely secretive about this, which leads to social isolation, and eventual bullying.

In something similar to Romeo and Juliet, Ruby meets a young man who she falls in love, the only problem being is that he's Afrikaans, and of course for all of their political correctness, Ruby's parents still house some misguided belief that he is not a social equal to their daughter.

Ruby is a believable well developed character that many young people can identify with, who is struggling at coming to terms with discrimination in a number of forms. Personally, I like the fact that she is strong willed and always follows her heart in doing what she believes is right. In fact I sometimes feel that more of us should perhaps be more like her!

The story line is well thought out, and has a bit of everything incorporated into the storyline, romance, action, comedy, just as you'd expect from a real life situation. The characters are persistent and interact with each other true to their portrayals and you are swept along, sharing their moments of triumph and despair. The underlying message of a girl my age proving that people of all races can actually just get along is inspirational and empowering.

I have found myself already recommending this book to friends, and was so inspired by it, it compelled me to write a review for The Jitty! Since reading it I have discovered our own school library holds this in stock too, and have recommended it to my English teacher as perhaps a book suitable for a class read.

You can find out more about Linzi and her work here www.linziglass.com and www.theforgottendog.org

Review by Karishma