The Search for Belle Prater

The Search for Belle Prater
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Total Pages: 182
Release: 2005-04-12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1429934506

The sequel to the beloved Newbery Honor Book, Belle Prater's Boy Since Belle Prater inexplicably disappeared about a year ago, her son, Woodrow, and his cousin Gypsy have been searching for answers. Then, on the stroke of midnight on Woodrow's birthday, the phone rings. No one is at the other end of the line, but Woodrow is certain it was his mama. They find out that the call was placed from nearby Bluefield, and set out to see if they can track her down. Joining them is Cassie Caulborne, the new girl in school, who is endowed with the gift of second sight. Unfortunately, they can find no trace of Belle. Once again, Woodrow realizes that perhaps even worse than not knowing where she is, is not understanding why his mama would leave him. How Woodrow, Gypsy, and Cassie come to understand the truth, and Woodrow eventually finds Belle, fills this oftrequested sequel to Belle Prater's Boy with magic and suspense. The Search for Belle Prater is a 2006 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

Belle Prater's Boy

Belle Prater's Boy
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Total Pages: 214
Release: 1996-03-26
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1429934247

Around 5:00 a.m. on a warm Sunday morning on October 1953, my Aunt Belle left her bed and vanished from the face of the earth. Everyone in Coal Station, Virginia, has a theory about what happened to Belle Prater, but twelve-year-old Gypsy wants the facts, and when her cousin Woodrow, Aunt Belle's son moves next door, she has her chance. Woodrow isn't as forthcoming as Gypsy hopes, yet he becomes more than just a curiosity to her-- during their sixth-grade year she finds that they have enough in common to be best friends. Even so, Gypsy is puzzled by Woodrow's calm acceptance of his mother's disappearance, especially since she herself has never gotten over her father's death. When Woodrow finally reveals that he's been keeping a secret about his mother, Gypsy begins to understand that there are different ways of finding the strength to face the truth, no matter how painful it is. Belle Prater's Boy is a 1996 Boston Globe - Horn Book Awards Honor Book for Fiction and a 1997 Newbery Honor Book.

You'll Like It Here (Everybody Does)

You'll Like It Here (Everybody Does)
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Yearling
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2012-06-12
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0375865969

While Meggie and David Blue are from another planet, they're a lot like Earth kids, with similar hopes and dreams, and can't wait to grow up. BUT they also have GROSSLY UNIQUE qualities, such as blue streaks in their hair that pop up randomly and language skills that sound like nothing on this planet. The story takes these alien kids, along with their mother and grandfather, by accident, to a far planet in which the society is not only oppressive but hostile to individual freedom. People are kept submissive through drugs and brainwashing. The Blues, who have spent time in free societies recognize the upside-down-ness of this world. They're almost helpless to do anything, but do what they can, plan their escape, and vow to help others.

Buttermilk Hill

Buttermilk Hill
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Total Pages: 159
Release: 2006-03-21
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1429934263

Finding a way to cope through poetry The days seem carefree for Piper Berry in her hometown of Buttermilk Hill, North Carolina -- days filled with fishing with her daddy and ten-year-old aunt/best friend Lindy and listening to her grandmother's stories. But then Mama, Tiny Lambert (whom readers may remember from Weeping Willow), announces she wants more out of life than being a housewife, and Daddy thinks this is unreasonable. He moves out and that ugly word d-i-v-o-r-c-e becomes a reality. Soon Mama's time becomes consumed with waiting tables and taking college classes. Daddy remarries, adopts two sons, and has a new baby daughter. Piper can't help but feel as if she doesn't belong anywhere anymore, and her only comfort is found in spending time with Lindy and their friend Bucky, whose life is full of his own share of family trouble. Piper's growing interest in and talent for poetry help her find a voice to say the things that are hardest and make an important decision about following her own dreams.

Way Down Deep

Way Down Deep
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Total Pages: 206
Release: 2007-03-20
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0374706689

Although Ruby seemed to just appear out of thin air on the steps of the courthouse on the first day of summer in 1944, no one in Way Down Deep, West Virginia, ever worried too much about where the toddler came from. They figured that if Ruby's people were dumb enough to lose something as valuable as a child, then that was their problem. So even though Ruby can't help but wonder where she came from, she has led a joyful and carefree life in Way Down Deep, loved and watched over by Miss Arbutus – proprietor of The Roost, the local boardinghouse – the residents of The Roost, and the rest of the town. But when Ruby is twelve, a new family moves to Way Down Deep, and they inadvertently provide enough clues about Ruby's past that she is able to find her own people. Ruby travels from Way Down Deep to the top of Yonder Mountain to learn who she really is – only to find that she is bound to Way Down Deep by something even stronger than family ties: love. With a touch of fairy-tale magic and a lot of heart, Ruth White explores just what it is that makes a place truly home. Way Down Deep is a 2008 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

A Month of Sundays

A Month of Sundays
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Total Pages: 178
Release: 2011-10-11
Genre: Young Adult Fiction
ISBN: 1429933704

When Garnet's mother decides it's time for a change, she drops off her daughter at her aunt June's house in Black Rock, Virginia, while she goes to Florida to find a job. Garnet has never met her Aunt June, so she feels angry and abandoned. But Aunt June thinks Garnet is there for a reason. Each week, Garnet and June visit a different religious service as Aunt June, who has cancer, tries to find God. After a miraculous spiritual healing occurs and an unexpected visitor comes to town, Garnet learns the power of love and forgiveness, and what being a family truly means.

Shakespeare's Secret

Shakespeare's Secret
Author: Elise Broach
Publisher: Macmillan
Total Pages: 276
Release: 2007-08-21
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 9780312371326

A missing diamond, a mysterious neighbor, a link to Shakespeare—can Hero uncover the connections?

Memories of Summer

Memories of Summer
Author: Ruth White
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Total Pages: 117
Release: 2011-04-01
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1429936584

By the author of the Newbery Honor book Belle Prater's Boy It is the mid-1950s, and Lyrics familys dream is finally coming true -- they are moving from the backwoods of southwest Virginia to Flint, Michigan, where her father hopes to get an assembly-line job for a car manufacturer. Thirteen-year-old Lyric has always been close to and admired her older sister, Summer, who is pretty and popular. But in their new hometown, Summer unexpectedly and drastically changes. She becomes remote, speaks gibberish, stops taking care of her appearance, wont go to high school, and then seems to have hallucinations. Lyric and her father try to cope with the devastating effects of Summers mental illness, but, sadly, there is no bringing the old Summer back. Ruth White has written a heart-wrenching novel which, despite the sad and serious subject matter, offers readers humor and hope and most of all love.

The Mozart Season

The Mozart Season
Author: Virginia Euwer Wolff
Publisher: Square Fish
Total Pages: 265
Release: 2014-12-02
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 1466887028

"Remember, what's down inside you, all covered up—the things of your soul. The important, secret things . . . The story of you, all buried, let the music caress it out into the open." When Allegra was a little girl, she thought she would pick up her violin and it would sing for her—that the music was hidden inside her instrument. Now that Allegra is twelve, she believes the music is in her fingers, and the summer after seventh grade she has to teach them well. She's the youngest contestant in the Ernest Bloch Young Musicians' Competition. She knows she will learn the notes to the concerto, but what she doesn't realize is she'll also learn how to close the gap between herself and Mozart to find the real music inside her heart. The Mozart Season includes an interview with author Virginia Euwer Wolff.

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
Author: Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Total Pages: 290
Release: 2009-06-09
Genre: Juvenile Fiction
ISBN: 0375891013

When push comes to shove, two Kentucky girls find strength in each other. Ivy June Mosely and Catherine Combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first seventh-grade student exchange program between their schools. The girls will stay at each other’s homes, attend school together, and record their experience in their journals. Catherine and her family have a beautiful home with plenty of space. Since Ivy June’s house is crowded, she lives with her grandparents. Her Pappaw works in the coal mines supporting four generations of kinfolk. Ivy June can’t wait until he leaves that mine forever and retires. As the girls get closer, they discover they’re more alike than different, especially when they face the terror of not knowing what’s happening to those they love most.