While readers must contend with much that is sad and horrifying (child abuse, a rape, apartheid horrors), the book is emotionally satisfying and surprisingly uplifting, without ever hitting a false note. The characters are vivid, three dimensional creations that convince readers of their humanity. The mounting problems avoid any hint of contrivance and sweep the reader along. Glass’s novel is that rare book that provides an insider look into other cultures without losing the narrative voice of 12-year-old Emily. Their Zulu, night watchman, Buza, and his stories are the “honey-glue” that keeps Emily centered and sane. When they take in a racist and abusive wildlife photographer and family, their problems mount exponentially. Unable to communicate with one another, Emily’s parents take in guests to avoid problems. Set in apartheid South Africa, this novel tells the story of Emily and her family. When the first novel is lyrically written, powerful, and a possible Printz winner, I get goose bumps. It is well written, and many teenagers can relate to the theme of forbidden love, and empathise with the loneliness that Ruby feels.It is always a distinct pleasure to read an author’s first novel. But with this new relationship, will she lose the friendship of Julian, the artist from Soweto she has grown so close to? And will she end up paying the ultimate price for her love? I found the novel powerful, emotional and moving. A forbidden relationship ensues, resulting in her nearly being expelled from school. Over time her friendship with Loretta strengthens, and it turns out that Johann is her brother. For Ruby, the language her new friend speaks does not matter in the slightest, but to her parents, an Afrikaans-speaking visitor to their English home presents immense danger. It is by chance she is left talking to Loretta, who, like Johann, is from Stuenmakaar, while she waits at the school gates for her father to collect her. When Ruby travels to the rival local Afrikaans school, the blond-haired, blue-eyed captain of rugby, Johann, is pointed out to her by a friend. If they are discovered, it would mean immediate arrest, and maybe even a death warrant. But her home life is far from normal – her mother and father are both defenders of Black rights.
She is attractive, popular, clever, and a school prefect. Set in South Africa during Apartheid, Ruby Winters is like any normal girl at school.
Just like any other love story, except this is where the similarity between Ruby Red and any other teenage novel ends. Their parents forbid them to see one another.
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