Fifth-grader Cuban-Jewish Ruthie and her family emigrated from Cuba to New York. Because she doesn’t speak English, she is placed in the “dumb” class at school. She works hard and is finally promoted to the “smart” class, but her dreams are derailed by a terrible car accident and a broken leg that leave her in a body cast for most of 1966 and 1967. While she is recovering, she is cared for by her mother, visited by her tutor from school, and befriended by her new Mexican neighbor who inspires her with stories of the artist, Frida Kahlo. Ruthie has a tough time overcoming cultural differences and her injury, but her strength, resilience, and hope help her grow and flourish. The book is based on the author’s own experience. mjw |
Title: Lucky Broken Girl
Author: Ruth Behar
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Young Reader Group
Copyright: 2017
Original Language: English
ISBN: 978-0-399546-44-0
Hardcover pages: 256
Age range: 10 up
Genre: Fiction
Book setting: Queens, New York
Author’s ethnicity: Born in Havana, Cuba
Author’s residence: U.S.
Awards: 2018 Pura Belpre Honor
Subjects: Accidents, Broken bones, Drawing and painting, Growing up, Health, Hispanic and Latino |