I read this with my ten-year-old and we found many themes imbedded in the novel including friendship, forgiveness, guilt, family, and racism. Although the story is widely thought to be a story of a girl and her experience of attending an integrated school, it's much more. Ruby Lee has many trials in the book. We both enjoyed the novel. Perfect for 3-5 graders. ( )

This book took me to the place and time ruby lee and Sarah lived. In the south in 1969. What an amazing story! Courage, bravery, forgiveness and unconditional love are the overwhelming themes of this beautiful story! Should be the 2016 Newbery winner! ( )

Literary Merit: Great
Characterization: Great
Recommended: Highly recommended
Level: 8-12 years
Sarah Beth Willis was supposed to be watching her little sister Robin. When she turned her back, Robin had run into the street and was hit by a black car. An ambulance was called and Robin was taken to the hospital with her mother. Sarah was to stay with her grandparents. The road ahead would be long for Robin. She was put in a body cast. Dad gave the news to Sarah they would have to move in with their grandparents and sell the house to pay for hospital bills. This meant going to a new school and making new friends. At the farm, Sarah met a new girl named Ruby. They became great friends and helped grandma with the gardening. Ruby had a beautiful singing voice and sang in the church choir. One day Ruby and Sarah have a terrible argument. It seems that Ruby cannot go some places that Sarah can due to her color and there is talk of integration. Parents were worried about colored children drinking out of the same drinking fountain, eating together, using the same bathrooms, and swimming in the same pool. They felt grown-ups were stupid. The schools did get integrated and they had the first black school teacher, Mrs. Smyre, in their class. I highly recommend this book. It touches the heart with great characters and story that make it hard to put the book down. ( )

One of the ladies in our book club chose this book not realizing it was a child's book. We decided to go ahead and read it because the story sounded interesting and we could be young reader reviewers! I enjoyed this little book and it brought back many memories of my growing up years. Miss Hitchcock covered many issues that I hope the young people reading will find interesting. Times have changes but these issues are still relevant today. I really enjoyed the love and interaction Sarah had with her Grandparents. I know there are children who do not have lives as full of love as this book has but I hope this will be an uplifting story for all who read it. The author's note in the end is a wonderful addition in bringing this story to real life. So glad for the photos! ( )

Twelve-year-old Sarah is coping with a lot in 1969. She shoulders the guilt of her little sister's serious car accident. School integration looms over the upcoming school year and her longtime friendship with Ruby Lee. The family must pull together during Robin's long recovery. An accessible and straightforward read appropriate for third grade up, introducing the social issues that colored the 1960s, and acknowledging the crippling guilt kids can feel when they believe they've done something bad. ( )