Ruby Red by Kerstin Gier
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9252-3
Gier, K. (2011). Ruby red. (A. Bell, Trans.). New York: Henry Holt and Company. (Original work published 2009)
Plot Summary
Gwen has been waiting for the day her cousin Charlotte will time travel. At sixteen, it should be very soon; the telltale headaches are present, and Charlotte’s training nearly complete. Their family has a special time travel gene that manifests in individuals born on certain days, at least according to Sir Isaac Newton. By all accounts, Gwen was born on the wrong day, so why is she getting headaches too? While running an errand, Gwen suddenly feels dizzy, she collapses, and when she rises the entire street has been transformed. The clothing is different, the cars are different, the flowers are different. There has been a mistake. Charlotte, with all her training, is not the one with the time travel gene, but Gwen, the less intelligent, less popular, less prepared cousin. Gwen’s mother quickly takes her to the Lodge of Count Saint-Germain, the secret society for time travelers and their keepers. The switch is rather a shock to everyone, especially eighteen-year-old Gideon. An experienced time traveler, Gideon has been collecting blood for a chronograph from all the deceased travelers to complete an old prophecy. He does not like that a new girl without training is his traveling partner. Not trusting Gideon, or any of these new people, Gwen does not tell anyone she is able to see and communicate with ghosts. Gwen and Gideon travel to the 18th century, but are nearly murdered. Gwen learns there is some conspiracy with the chronograph, and her cousin Lucy stole one and disappeared to prevent the prophecy from happening.
Critical Evaluation
Until now, Gwen’s most pressing concerns were high school, her perfect cousin Charlotte, and boys, a thoroughly normal teenage girl. Gwen has moments of brilliance, but is happiest gossiping with her best friend and acting silly. Other than the time-traveling gene and communicating with ghosts, Gwen is a completely normal teenager, a rarity now with genius intelligence or super strength, witty and sarcastic dialogue, or any of the other unlikely traits bestowed upon teenage girls. She is a rather refreshing protagonist who does not understand the position she is in or what to do about it, but has a remarkable ability to keep it all in stride. Some of the time-traveling explanations become a bit wordy and detailed, but the plot remains intriguing enough to just bypass the slower parts. Gwen has a dedicated mother, her father is deceased, and is remarkably kind to her younger sister and brother. She understands who her true friends are, and which family members to confide in and trust. For a recent time-traveler, Gwen refuses to fall into hysterics and decides to use her own strengths to survive. She is shrewder than her family or the secret alliance realizes, and waits to pass judgment until she knows something for sure. Overshadowed by her cousin, Gwen will finally have her opportunity to show her family just how special she really is. Time-traveling, an engaging heroine, and a love interest combine to make this trilogy an entertaining read.
Reader’s Annotation
Gwen finds out she, not her cousin, has the time traveling gene, she travels three times in two days, is nearly murdered, and is able to talk to ghosts. If that’s not enough, she has a grumpy, but hot time travel partner, and it’s up to them to complete a prophecy.
About the Author
Kerstin Gier is German and all information I could find was in German, but I used the translate feature.
Ruby red and the two sequels are Gier’s first youth adult fantasy novels. It has been translated into seventeen languages include English, Spanish, Polish, and Norwegian. Anthea Bell is the German to English translator. Ruby Red has also been turned into a German-language film. Before turning to young adult, Gier wrote 13 novels for adults.
She has enjoyed reading fantasy since childhood, but finally decided it was a good time. Gier has published novels under the pseudonyms Jule Fire and Sophie Berard. However, Gier now just writes under her own name. She says she used to write more prolifically, but now just has need for one name. Gier is married and has ason. During book tours Gier’s mother takes care of her son. Favorite authors include Nick Hornby, Marian Keyes, Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Stroud, and Antje Babendererde. She lives in Bergisches Land on the western side of Germany.
Anthea Bell is a well-known translator. Her most recognizable translation are Cornelia Funke’s children’s novels. Other than English, Bell is fluent in German and French, and cal also translate Danish, though she does not speak it. Bell attended Oxford University and took a special English course on language development. Bell was married at 21 and became a secretary. By chance, someone asked if anyone read German and could give a publishing house an opinion on a German book. From there, Bell began reading books in German and eventually turned to translating them. She has won the Batchelder Award for book translations four times and has been honored an additional three. Bell currently lives in England.
Genre
Fantasy/Action & Adventure
Curriculum Ties
History
Booktalking
What time period would you most want to travel to?
What are some potential problems you would face?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues may include the fantastical element of time travel and brief instances of profanity.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I love fantasy and historical fiction. Combining the two sounded like a great idea, and it was!
Others in the Series
Sapphire Blue (Book #2)
Emerald Green (Book #3- Not yet translated into English)
References
Lear, Elizabeth (2011, May 19). Q & A with anthea bell. Publisher’s Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/47327-q-a-with-anthea-bell.html
Swiss, Tine. (2009, November 30). Interview with kerstin gier. Tines World Books. Retrieved from http://tinesbuecherwelt.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/interview-mit-kerstin-gier/
ISBN: 978-0-8050-9252-3
Gier, K. (2011). Ruby red. (A. Bell, Trans.). New York: Henry Holt and Company. (Original work published 2009)
Plot Summary
Gwen has been waiting for the day her cousin Charlotte will time travel. At sixteen, it should be very soon; the telltale headaches are present, and Charlotte’s training nearly complete. Their family has a special time travel gene that manifests in individuals born on certain days, at least according to Sir Isaac Newton. By all accounts, Gwen was born on the wrong day, so why is she getting headaches too? While running an errand, Gwen suddenly feels dizzy, she collapses, and when she rises the entire street has been transformed. The clothing is different, the cars are different, the flowers are different. There has been a mistake. Charlotte, with all her training, is not the one with the time travel gene, but Gwen, the less intelligent, less popular, less prepared cousin. Gwen’s mother quickly takes her to the Lodge of Count Saint-Germain, the secret society for time travelers and their keepers. The switch is rather a shock to everyone, especially eighteen-year-old Gideon. An experienced time traveler, Gideon has been collecting blood for a chronograph from all the deceased travelers to complete an old prophecy. He does not like that a new girl without training is his traveling partner. Not trusting Gideon, or any of these new people, Gwen does not tell anyone she is able to see and communicate with ghosts. Gwen and Gideon travel to the 18th century, but are nearly murdered. Gwen learns there is some conspiracy with the chronograph, and her cousin Lucy stole one and disappeared to prevent the prophecy from happening.
Critical Evaluation
Until now, Gwen’s most pressing concerns were high school, her perfect cousin Charlotte, and boys, a thoroughly normal teenage girl. Gwen has moments of brilliance, but is happiest gossiping with her best friend and acting silly. Other than the time-traveling gene and communicating with ghosts, Gwen is a completely normal teenager, a rarity now with genius intelligence or super strength, witty and sarcastic dialogue, or any of the other unlikely traits bestowed upon teenage girls. She is a rather refreshing protagonist who does not understand the position she is in or what to do about it, but has a remarkable ability to keep it all in stride. Some of the time-traveling explanations become a bit wordy and detailed, but the plot remains intriguing enough to just bypass the slower parts. Gwen has a dedicated mother, her father is deceased, and is remarkably kind to her younger sister and brother. She understands who her true friends are, and which family members to confide in and trust. For a recent time-traveler, Gwen refuses to fall into hysterics and decides to use her own strengths to survive. She is shrewder than her family or the secret alliance realizes, and waits to pass judgment until she knows something for sure. Overshadowed by her cousin, Gwen will finally have her opportunity to show her family just how special she really is. Time-traveling, an engaging heroine, and a love interest combine to make this trilogy an entertaining read.
Reader’s Annotation
Gwen finds out she, not her cousin, has the time traveling gene, she travels three times in two days, is nearly murdered, and is able to talk to ghosts. If that’s not enough, she has a grumpy, but hot time travel partner, and it’s up to them to complete a prophecy.
About the Author
Kerstin Gier is German and all information I could find was in German, but I used the translate feature.
Ruby red and the two sequels are Gier’s first youth adult fantasy novels. It has been translated into seventeen languages include English, Spanish, Polish, and Norwegian. Anthea Bell is the German to English translator. Ruby Red has also been turned into a German-language film. Before turning to young adult, Gier wrote 13 novels for adults.
She has enjoyed reading fantasy since childhood, but finally decided it was a good time. Gier has published novels under the pseudonyms Jule Fire and Sophie Berard. However, Gier now just writes under her own name. She says she used to write more prolifically, but now just has need for one name. Gier is married and has ason. During book tours Gier’s mother takes care of her son. Favorite authors include Nick Hornby, Marian Keyes, Neil Gaiman, Jonathan Stroud, and Antje Babendererde. She lives in Bergisches Land on the western side of Germany.
Anthea Bell is a well-known translator. Her most recognizable translation are Cornelia Funke’s children’s novels. Other than English, Bell is fluent in German and French, and cal also translate Danish, though she does not speak it. Bell attended Oxford University and took a special English course on language development. Bell was married at 21 and became a secretary. By chance, someone asked if anyone read German and could give a publishing house an opinion on a German book. From there, Bell began reading books in German and eventually turned to translating them. She has won the Batchelder Award for book translations four times and has been honored an additional three. Bell currently lives in England.
Genre
Fantasy/Action & Adventure
Curriculum Ties
History
Booktalking
What time period would you most want to travel to?
What are some potential problems you would face?
Reading Level/Interest Level
RL: 5th grade
IL: 8th grade and up
Challenge Issues
Possible challenge issues may include the fantastical element of time travel and brief instances of profanity.
In my defense file, I would include the following:
1) Library Mission Statement
2) Library Selection Policy approved by any or all of the following individuals—principal, school board, district librarian OR library manager, city council, mayor.
3) Library Bill of Rights adapted from CSLA Bill of Rights, AASL Bill of Rights and/or ALA Bill of Rights
4) Reviews, both positive and critical, from respected sources such as School Library Journal, VOYA, Booklist
5) Rationale for book inclusion for titles anticipated to be controversial, frequently challenged, or created when a book is challenged including: summary, audience, purpose, controversial issues and how they are handled
6) How the book fits within Common Core Standards or State Standards
7) Reconsideration form for challenger to complete—include a section asking which part was of particular concern, if the entire book was read, and what other similar titles are suggested instead
8) Student reviews from those who have read the book and either enjoyed or disliked the book and why.
Why Included
I love fantasy and historical fiction. Combining the two sounded like a great idea, and it was!
Others in the Series
Sapphire Blue (Book #2)
Emerald Green (Book #3- Not yet translated into English)
References
Lear, Elizabeth (2011, May 19). Q & A with anthea bell. Publisher’s Weekly. Retrieved from http://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/interviews/article/47327-q-a-with-anthea-bell.html
Swiss, Tine. (2009, November 30). Interview with kerstin gier. Tines World Books. Retrieved from http://tinesbuecherwelt.wordpress.com/2009/11/30/interview-mit-kerstin-gier/
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