Love, Ruby Lavender

By Deborah Wiles

Ruby Lavender used to have a good life. She and her grandmother, Miss Eula, were inseparable--they even drove the getaway car together for chickens rescued from the slaughterhouse! But this summer, Miss Eula will be in Hawaii, and Ruby's sure it'll be a lonely, empty, horrible season without her. What happens instead? Ruby makes a new friend, saves the school play, writes plenty of letters to her favorite (and only) grandmother . . . and finally stops blaming herself for her grandfather's death.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Aug 1, 2002
• ISBN: 9780547351926

Deborah Wiles

DEBORAH WILES is the award-winning author of Each Little Bird That Sings, a National Book Award finalist; Love, Ruby Lavender, an ALA Notable Children's Book, a Children's Book Sense 76 Pick, an NCTE Notable Book for the Language Arts, and a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing; Freedom Summer, a Coretta Scott King Honor Book; The Aurora County All-Stars, a New York Public Library Book for Reading and Sharing; and One Wide Sky. She lives in Georgia.www.deborahwiles.com

Book preview

title page

Contents

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Title Page

Contents

Copyright

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Map

Agricultural Page

1

2

3

4

5

6

Happenings in Halleluia

7

8

9

10

Operetta to Be Presented

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

Happenings in Halleluia

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

A Reading Group Guide

Sample Chapter from EACH LITTLE BIRD THAT SINGS

Buy the Book

About the Author

Connect with HMH on Social Media

Copyright © 2001 by Deborah Wiles

All rights reserved. Originally published in hardcover in the United States by Harcourt, Inc., an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 2001.

For information about permission to reproduce selections from this book, write to [e-mail] or to Permissions, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company, 3 Park Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, New York 10016.

hmhbooks.com

The Library of Congress has cataloged the print edition as follows:

Wiles, Debbie.

Love, Ruby Lavender/Deborah Wiles.

p. cm.

Gulliver Books.

Summary: When her quirky grandmother goes to Hawaii for the summer, nine-year-old Ruby learns to survive on her own in Mississippi by writing letters, befriending chickens as well as the new girl in town, and finally coping with her grandfather’s death.

[1. Grandparents—Fiction. 2. Self-reliance—Fiction. 3. Death—Fiction. 4. Chickens—Fiction. 5. Mississippi— Fiction.] I. Title.

PZ7.W6474Lo 2001

[Fic]—dc21 00-11159

ISBN 978-0-15-205478-6 paperback

Map by Ruby Lavender

Compass holder: Bemmie Lavender

eISBN 978-0-547-35192-6

v3.0120

For my mother and father,

Marie Kilgore Edwards and Thomas P. Edwards,

with love and gratitude

Acknowledgments

I owe my Aunt Beth McBrayer a Ruby-sized thanks for valuing oral history and taping family stories, especially the one about her chick Rosebud who, it turned out, was really a rooster named Bud; also to Aunt Mitt, who taught me to smell the earth after it rained; Nanny, who showed me how to love a garden; my grandmother, the real Miss Eula; and my dad, the director of Miss Eula Goes to Hawaii, a home-movie classic that provided lots of inspiration, as did the town of Louin, Mississippi, a place populated with people who live on in my heart just as they did in my childhood.

While writing this book I spent a lot of time swooning, dabbing my forehead with a lace handkerchief, and generally torturing anyone who would listen to me. Lots of credit goes to the torturees, particularly my family: Hannah (who read the manuscript many times), Zach, Jason, Alisa, and Steven, whom I claim as my own; four lions: Nancy Werlin, Joanne Stanbridge, Dian Curtis Regan, and Jane Kurtz; Pophamites Jackie Briggs Martin, Franny Billingsley, and Toni Buzzeo, steadfast friends Norma Chapman, Tana Fletcher, Sue Fortin, Deborah Hopkinson, Cindy Powell, Kay Sheiss; and my teacher, Nancy Johnson. All supplied, at one time or another, Moon Pies, cold cloths, and smelling salts.

Lots of love, a crepe-paper dress, and a bushel basket full of thanks go to my editor, Liz Van Doren, who is no chicken. She stuck with this story, and with me, for more than four years, challenging me to do better, do better, do better. She encouraged me enough, championed me enough, and frustrated me enough that finally I did. She’s a pretty good editor . . . for a Yankee.

AURORA COUNTY NEWS

Twilight Edition, June 3

Agricultural Page

Halleluia, Mississippi—In a surprise announcement today, Lucius Peterson, of Peterson’s Egg Ranch, declared that he would close his shop and retire, after 45 years in the egg business.

I was planning this, said Peterson. I haven’t bought new chicks for two years now. These old hens are ready to go to slaughter—pretty soon you’ll be seeing them on your dinner plates as drumsticks and chicken à la king.

Local citizen Miss Eula Dapplevine, long known for her commitment to animal rights and lost causes, was heard to say in response, That’s what you think, buster.

1

June 4

"Murderers! You can’t have them all!" Ruby Lavender leaned out the car window and shook her fist. The car lurched to a halt in the dirt yard of Peterson’s Egg Ranch, and Ruby scrambled out the door. She ran in bare feet as fast as she could into a dusty sea of chickens—a sea of chickens being herded toward their death at the chopping block.

Miss Eula Dapplevine was driving the getaway car. She leaped from her seat into the hot June sun and waved her arms wildly. Run, run! Run for your lives!

Chickens screeched and panicked. They ran and jumped and flapped their wings.

Ruby opened her arms and swept herself, like a wave, through the squawking.

Gotcha! She dropped to her knees and reached for chicken legs and necks and breasts, pulling them to her. "I’ll save you, girls!" She had a face full of feathers. She swayed from side to side, trying to get her balance. Her left overalls strap slipped off her shoulder.

Three men came running from inside the chicken house. The tallest one jerked down the bandanna he wore around his mouth and nose. Stop! Thieves! Get back here with those hens!

Go away, Lucius! yelled Miss Eula. She waved dust from her face with her big hat. You won’t miss a few old laying hens past their prime! Ruby struggled to stand with her arms full of chickens. She staggered to the car, a squawking hen under each arm, and tossed them through the open window of the backseat. Hit it, Miss Eula! Another hen ran screaming straight for Ruby and nearly knocked her down. Ruby grabbed it. Good garden of peas! Well, get in here!

She tossed it into the car, then climbed through the open window right behind it.

Hurry, Miss Eula!

You’re crazy, Eula! shouted Lucius. Crazy!

Chickens flew at Lucius, pecking his hard boots. Others raced, like a river over a dam, through the split-rail fence, across the country road, and into the surrounding fields.

Go, girls, go! Miss Eula put her hands on her hips. "How would you like to be on someone’s dinner plate, Lucius? Lucius à la king!" Lucius and his workers didn’t know which way to run first as they tried to shush the puddle of chickens left at their feet.

Miss Eula flounced back into the car. She jerked the gearshift into drive and pulled out of Peterson’s Egg Ranch, weaving the big car slowly right and left as she dodged chickens and stirred up dust. How many did we get?

We got three! They’re red! Next to Ruby sat three of the most pitiful-looking, nervous creatures she had ever laid eyes on. They clucked and stared at her.

"Three, that’s a good number. A lucky number. You are a good partner, Ruby Lavender . . . for a nine-year-old." Miss Eula winked at Ruby.

"And you are a good getaway driver . . . for a grandmother." Ruby winked back.

Folks will keep eating chicken, all right, but they won’t eat these three, now, will they?

They surely won’t, said Ruby. I can’t wait to get to know them.

We’ll get to know them together.

The car traveled smoothly down the country road. The chickens squawked and flapped and put up a ruckus. Miss Eula’s and Ruby’s eyes met in the rearview mirror. They smiled at each other. . . . They giggled. . . . And then they laughed and laughed.

June 6

Ruby finished the letter she was writing and folded it three times quickly. She jumped up, knocking her chair backward, and shoved the note into the big front pocket of her overalls. Then she raced outside, slapping the screen door against the house.

Her mother sat cross-legged in the vegetable garden next to giant hills of zucchini, scribbling into a notebook in her lap. She looked up, squinting under the brim of her straw hat. Whoa! What’s the emergency?

Got mail to deliver! called Ruby. Important mail! A matter of life and death!

Be home for supper, if you’re still alive!

Ruby waved a hand raggedly and ran. Her bare feet slapped the dirt road, and her ponytailed red hair leaped all over the place, like a fire chasing her down the hill.

She took the long way into town. She always did, since the accident. When she came to the town sign, she leaned against it to catch her breath.

WELCOME

to Halleluia, Mississippi

Population:

400 Good Friendly Folks

And a Few Old Soreheads

Every storefront in Halleluia faced Main Street. Behind the stores ran a sandy lane. Ruby followed it past the back of the Laundromat and the bank, to the post office. She patted her pocket. Yes, the note was still there.

Behind the post office grew a majestic silver maple tree. Its roots stretched themselves out underground, popping up here and there, knobby, like big scraped knees. Hidden in a root tangle was a dry hole just big enough for a sack of marbles or a softball. But Ruby never put her softball into this hole—it was her secret mailbox. She pulled the letter from her pocket, to put it in the knothole.

But wait! She had mail! It was pink. First she made sure no one was looking. The Tolbert twins were farther up the lane, jumping rope—they didn’t notice her. Old Ezra Jackson dozed in a chair behind the filling station. Ruby yanked the paper from the knothole and replaced it with her letter. She sat under the silver maple with the piece of pink paper and read.

June 6

Dear Ruby,

Today will be a busy day in the store. I can’t wait to see you, even though we won’t have time to drink a Yoo-Hoo together, like we usually do. I will be anxious for a report on Ivy, Bemmie, and Bess.

Love,

your favorite (only) grandmother,

Miss Eula

Ruby had a report, all right. She couldn’t wait to tell Miss Eula what had happened. It was all in the letter she had just put in the knothole. She would let Miss Eula know it was waiting for her.

She walked past the back of the post office, past the back of Doc MacRee’s office. Yes sir, she had news! She felt puffed up and full of importance. She sauntered, pleased as she could be, through the back door of Miss Mattie Perkins’s general store.

June 6

Dear Miss Eula,

Oh joy and happy day! Ivy has laid three eggs! I can’t believe it! Bemmie is so jealous! She is clucking all over the place. Ivy is saved from the chopping block, AND she is going to have chicks of her own!

What time will you be done working today, so we can visit the chickens together? The eggs are brown.

Reviews for Love, Ruby Lavender

[jennybeast · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Reminds me of Unusual Chickens for the Exceptional Poultry Farmer -- sharing as they do, both the letter writing format and the central drama of chicken lives. They complement each other nicely while telling entirely different stories.

This is the tale of Miss Ruby Lavender and her partner in crime Miss Eula (her grandmother) -- liberating chickens, leaving notes for each other in a hollow tree, and generally enjoying the lives of the 3 rescued hens sometime in the 1950-60s in halleluia, Mississippi. However, they are also grieving together, as their town is grieving, over the loss of Ruby's grandfather and young Melba Jane's father in a tragic car accident. Melba and Ruby are at odds and constantly fighting. Miss Eula has decided to go spend the summer in Hawaii visiting her new grandchild, and there's a new girl in town. By turns funny, sad, and just plain interesting.

[jaelynculliford · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story is about MIss Ruby Lavender, a fun and wild 9 year old. The book is mostly told in letters to Ruby's grandmother, who sadly had to leave Ruby for the summer. Ruby learns how to relies on herself this summer and makes new friends. She even joined a play! A fun and quick read for all ages. It will make you laugh every page you turn too. Great coming to age!

[taylorrankins · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This story is about a girl and her grandmother. Her grandmother had to go to Haw ii to see her new grand baby. Rudy thinks she is about to have the most boring summer of her life. She lived in Mississippi and she didn't have many things to do. Well her summer ended up being fantastic. Ruby met new friends, joined a play, and wrote letters. I think this story was a good read. I enjoyed the letter Ruby wrote.

[dukefan86 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This was a sweet story about life in small town Mississippi, mostly through the eyes of a granddaughter and grandmother. The two were in the habbit of writing letters to one another, whether they were in the same town or not. The grandmother, Miss Eula, was a pistol, someone you'd like to have as your grandmother. Granddaughter Ruby Lavender had many adventures the summer Miss Eula went to Hawaii to visit the new grandbaby, and the letter format was an interesting way to see how young Ruby processed the things that happened to her that summer. Neat book.

[trillium242 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. Ruby's relationship with her grandma is so precious. The conflict and healing that Ruby goes through is moving and relate able. There are great discussion group questions and activities in the back of the book. I'd use this as a read aloud in second grade but for reading groups in 3rd and 4th grade. I need to buy this book asap to add to my library!

[lcornet_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book! It reminded me of the relationship I have with my own grandma. I really enjoyed reading the letters they wrote back and forth. It would be fun to incorporate this book into a letter writing unit.

[jtabb0709 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. It was one that I couldn't put down. I wanted to keep reading it every time I had to stop. It is a story about dealing with changes in life and that life does go on. She and Miss Eula, which is her grandmother write letters to each other throughout the story and it was nice to hear the connection they have and how she seems to always look to her for advice in life. Very cute story. I think kids could really relate to it. Would make a perfect read aloud and could introduce letter writing.

[kenjoh_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm very close to my grandmother, she lives a few houses down from my parents. As I read this story it made me think of my relationship with her. This book also reminded me of "Eight Keys" and "Clementine". The girl is real sassy and struggles with being forgiving. By far my favorite part happens at the end when she helps Melba. Melba says she will return the borrowed hat tomorrow at Ruby's house but she doesn't want to stay and visit and Ruby informs her she doesn't want her to either. I love that they resolved their differences but it didn't mean they wanted to spend time together. Kids need to learn that you can still be kind and not have to spend time together.

[sarahg3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I LOVED this book. I could not stop reading it. I really enjoyed the story and thought that lots of kids could relate to it. I would definitely read the story to my future classroom of older students. Loved, loved, loved it!

[sadams30 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is an absolutely delightful book that I didn't want to put down. Ruby is a little firecracker, but she learns many lessons over the summer. I love that this book is a celebration of life lessons and the relationships between grandmothers and granddaughters. Overall, one of my favorite reads of the summer so far!

[mbrittain_8 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Loved the Southern flavor of the story and the connection between Ruby and Eula. This is a touching story about family, loss the fact that "life does go on." The use of chickens to connect many of the story elements is both a lesson in animal husbandry and just plain funny. Ruby's descriptions of the chickens’ motives and emotions is better character development than many humans in other stories I've read. Another strong point is how this doesn't really have a "they all lived happily ever after" ending but is realistic and relatable for many young readers.

[whisper1_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Because I loved Each Little Bird That Sings, I wanted to read the this first work by the author. While Each Little Bird That Sings resonated with me more than this tale, still, Love, Ruby Lavender is delightful and poignant and worth the time spent in reading.Ruby lost her beloved grandfather. Now, a year later, her very special grandmother needs time away from Halleluia, Mississippi. Leaving Ruby heartbroken, through a series of letters the two remain connected.When Ruby lost a grandfather, her classmate and enemy Melba Jane lost her father in the same car accident. While grief tugs at both, they tear at each other verbally and physically. Wishing her grandmother was there to guide her, Ruby finds a way to reach out through the pain and work toward healing.Ruby Lavender melts your heart with her endearing, quirky personality.Recommended.

[gg18_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I really enjoyed this book because it is about this girl mamed ruby laveder and her and her gramdmaw Mrs.Eula amd they are best freinds and one day Mrs.Eula went to Hawaii to see her new grandbaby and when she left Ruby felt that she could not do anything without her and she was really upset and she felt like the new baby was replaceing her and Ruby and this girl Melba Jane were got into fights all the time and when Rubys chicken was going to have chicks and Melba Jane killed them and Ruby was really hurt and she did not know that Melba Jane would do somthing that mean and Mrs.Eula and Ruby always write to each other about evrey thing that happens and Rubys grandmother has been gone for a mounth now and read the book and you will find out what happens when Rubys grandmaw is gone and if Mrs.Eula will ever come back also there are some big seenes about Ruby and Melba Jane to.

[tylerballer5 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

This was a good book it was also very funny. I would recommend this book for anyone who likes historical fiction. My favorite parrt was when they went to this old ladys house and took some of her chickens and they got off safe and they got back home. And a little while later they started to lay eggs..... To find out what happens next read Love,Ruby Lavender.

[cinnamonowl_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Powerful children's book touching on many subjects, including loss.

[pnadya_6 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Fun story,innocent. Good for solid 4th + readers.

[bibliophile26 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This author was at the school media conference I attended. Ruby is a girl who raises chickens with her best friend, her grandmother, who goes to Hawaii to visit her new grandchild. To Ruby, her grandmother leaving is the end of the world. A cute book.