Ruby Lavender and Miss Eula are a pretty good team...for a nine-year old and her grandmother. This unlikely pair has a special, and at times hilarious, bond that is impossible to replace. Having recently lost her grandfather in an accident, Ruby has learned to be content with her memories, but for Miss Eula, it takes a little longer. So Miss Eula goes on vacation, leaving Halleluia, Mississippi to visit her new granddaughter in Hawaii, much to Ruby's dismay. Now who will help her liberate chickens? Or, more importantly, who will know what to say when Melba Jane, Ruby's biggest enemy, comes along? Ruby is an enchantingly stubborn character who likes to stick to her guns, but she grows and learns that sometimes a change of heart is all it takes to fix her problems. This book has healthy doses of humor, adventure, friendship and a twinge of sadness and mystery that create a story that is believably real and a wonderful read for individuals and reading groups alike.

Recommended by Dawn