"Ruby, where is your mother?"Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust …
"Ruby, where is your mother?"Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she's been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return.That's how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn't seen in ten years, and Cora's husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it's a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give?Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again.
Ein superschönes Buch über verschiedene Arten von Familien. Das Grundthema ist nicht neu, aber Sarah Dessen schreibt so unglaublich angenehm, unaufgeregt und real. Ihre Bücher sind eine Wohltat!
Aber warum benutzt der/die Übersetzer/in so oft das Wort "Logo"?!? Voll lustig!
Full review on Reader's Dialogue: readersdialogue.blogspot.com/2012/09/lock-and-key.html
The beginning of the book, when Ruby narrates her previous life and how it's horrible and terrible that she has to give it up and move in with her sister and brother-in-law, is so matter-of-fact about the conditions she considered normal, and even preferable, that it's heartbreaking. It definitely sets things up for the way she behaves as the story progresses - why she reacts to certain events in the ways she does, why she has such difficulty trusting others and letting others in.
This story, contrary to what the flap copy says, is not about a girl living a perfect life, or about Ruby finding out about a neighbor's problems. It's about the true meaning of friendship and family. And that is so beautifully woven throughout the story - in more obvious ways via the English assignment Ruby has to do, …
Full review on Reader's Dialogue: readersdialogue.blogspot.com/2012/09/lock-and-key.html
The beginning of the book, when Ruby narrates her previous life and how it's horrible and terrible that she has to give it up and move in with her sister and brother-in-law, is so matter-of-fact about the conditions she considered normal, and even preferable, that it's heartbreaking. It definitely sets things up for the way she behaves as the story progresses - why she reacts to certain events in the ways she does, why she has such difficulty trusting others and letting others in.
This story, contrary to what the flap copy says, is not about a girl living a perfect life, or about Ruby finding out about a neighbor's problems. It's about the true meaning of friendship and family. And that is so beautifully woven throughout the story - in more obvious ways via the English assignment Ruby has to do, in more subtle ways via the various interaction between all the characters.
And the way Ruby comes to realize what true family and friendship is about, what real relationships mean, is a realistic portrayal of how a real person grows and matures. She faces uncomfortable and painful truths, she makes impossible choices, sometimes split-second choices that have huge ramifications, she goes astray and messes up more than once. But through it all, she slowly cracks and allows others in, reluctantly at first, screaming and kicking, but eventually learning that perhaps this is the better way, and then welcoming and even pursuing real relationships.
If I'd known that this was a "teen in trouble" book, I would not have read it. I usually find these rather irritating. But Lock and Key took me by surprise. Yes, the main character is self centred, defensive and prickly. But Sarah Dessen manages to show this without the character becoming irritating.
I really liked the way she shows how Ruby changes over time, becoming self aware as she observes the people and animals around her. This was convincing - the process of slowly starting to match what she sees in others to her own behaviour and character. Also, I'm a sucker for a book that has animal characters. Ruby's reactions to the little dog, the white fish, even the heron, helped me have sympathy for her.
