Ruby Holler (2002)

This book was AMZING! I loved how both of the characters have completely different personalities, but love each other so much! ( )

I couldn't read this book easily. What's happen to the twins and Z,
or Trepids? I need to know!
9/23/2011 ( )

I liked this book, although it was a little bit sappy and badly written. I think that the facts did not really click in the end, and you never found out who the main characters' mother was. The main characters, Florida and Dallas were orphans, and their mother had left the twins on the orphanage step when they were babies. Dallas was delivered to the orphanage step in a crate that said 'Dallas, Texas' and Florida was delivered in a crate that said 'Florida Oranges'. That was were they got their names. They were also "fondly" nicknamed 'the trouble twins', by their many adoptive parents. I recommend this book to all 9,10 and 11-year-olds. ( )

Ruby Holler is about two kids that live in an orphanage. They had lived their hole lives in this horrible place. Until one day a couple comes an adopts them. They live in a beautiful place called Ruby Holler. Ruby holler is very unique place. Only two people live there. In one house it was Tiller and Sairy. in the other house it was Zeek. One day they go on a trip. It was tiller and Florida was walking a trail and Sairy and dallas went hiking. tiller and florida had a accident when the came upon a river!!!! Zeek had to ccome and help them but soon enough dallas and florida find out that zeek may be their real dad!!!!! read Ruby holler and find out ( )

Dallas and Florida have lived their entire lives at this horrible orphanage or in a series of appalling foster homes. So when they are sent to live with elderly Tiller and Sairy in Ruby Holler, they are expecting the worse, and make plans to runaway at the first opportunity. But slowly, slowly, the good food and the understanding and patient Sairy and Tiller begin to break down the walls that Dallas and Florida have built around them. As the older couple help the kids, it is apparent that the kids are helping them also. There is excellent character development in the novel. And, although this whole story sounds somewhat sappy, it isn't...mainly because neither Dallas or Florida, nor Sairy or Tiller are the type of characters that would fit in a syrupy, sweet kind of novel. They are all a bit cantankerous and set in their ways.

However, as much as I tried, I just couldn't quite get into this story or form much attachment to the characters. There were 66 short chapters, most 3 to 4 pages, but several were just 2 pages. The chapters seemed to skip around to different people and places, and this led to a choppy, disjointed story. Florida just did not seem like a real person to me...something seemed off regarding her dialogue. And finally, there were several plot elements that were just left hanging, and not resolved. So all in all, this was somewhat of a disappointing read for me. ( )