Books
The Chaos King
Continue the story of Gurl and Bug (from The Wall and the Wing, 2006) with THE CHAOS KING! In a city filled with wonders, one girl can do the most wonderful thing of all. Gurl is the one person who can disappear at will, but since she found her parents, she's become The Richest Girl in the Universe. She may be special, but is she lucky? Her parents have forbidden her to vanish, her new school is full of snooty heiresses, she's had a growth spurt that makes her as graceful as a grizzly, and her best friend in the world, a belligerent boy named Bug, seems to have abandoned her.
But adventure is just around the corner, as a madman who calls himself The Chaos King has Gurl and Bug in his sights. In their efforts to save themselves from his insane plans, Gurl and Bug discover some of the amazing secrets of the city they love. Their journey will lead them to confront a pack of blase vampires, a living lion of stone, a disgruntled teenage poet, a candy-loving sloth, The Second Richest Girl in the Universe, a fussy man named Mr. Fuss, and finally, the brink of the unimaginable. . . .
“In a time when teen fantasy novels proliferate, this series is an exceptional stand-out." — VOYA (starred)
"Another zany adventure unfolds in a startlingly odd alternate universe showcasing Ruby's humorous narration and including characters from The Wall and the Wing (2006). Having read the first book isn't required, but would be encouraged, as this is definitely a sequel in tone and style. Grand amusement for the hip and clever." — Kirkus
"The Chaos King is a wonderful story about how being different can be infinitely preferable to being ordinarily beautiful or talented, and Ruby's off-the-wall writing style and infinite imagination make the lesson fun to learn." — Kliatt
“…fresh and quirky, both amusing and emotionally taut. This is a rare treat: an update that requires little exposition and is nearly as memorable and ironic as its predecessor.” — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
The Chaos King
Harpercollins, 2007
Ages 9 and up
300 pages
The Wall and the Wing
"In a time when teen fantasy novels proliferate, this series is an exceptional stand-out." -- VOYA (starred)
In one vast and sparkling city, everyone can fly.
Almost everyone.
A few, nicknamed leadfeet, are sentenced by a trick of nature or fate to forever spend their lives closer to the ground. But one night, a girl named Gurl -- a leadfoot, an orphan, a nobody -- discovers that she can do something much better than fly.
She can become invisible.
This amazing power will help her uncover the secret mysteries of the city. But even with her newfound talent, Gurl can't seem to hide from a giant rat man with a taste for cats, a manipulative matron with a penchant for plastic surgery, and a belligerent boy named Bug.
Gradually, Gurl learns to control her power and teams up with Bug to figure out who and what she is. Their quest will take them on a wild ride through this magical city, where they'll confront chatty birds and mind-bending monkeys, an eccentric genius with a head full of grass and a pocket full of kittens, and the handsome but lethal Sweetcheeks Grabowski -- the gangster who holds the key to Gurl's past... and the world's future.
Utterly odd, fully fantasical, and seriously hilarious, The Wall and the Wing is one fantasy that will leave you breathless and keep you guessing until the last page is turned.
-- A New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age
-- An ALA Best Books For Young Adults Nominee
-- A Georgia State Book Award Nominee
-- Optioned for a major animated feature by Laika Studios
"...rollicking adventure through a fantastical New York-like city...high-spirited romp." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"All of this fast-paced wackiness is told with humor, often black, that will have young readers giggling even as they cheer for Gurl and Bug, the Wall and the Wing." — School Library Journal
"...the next big thing in fantasy." — The Age (Australia)
"...a most engaging read." — The Bookseller (London)
" Witty and ironic, Ruby's sharp writing propels the story to an exhilarating climax that stops only an inch away from disaster and brings all the characters and their twisted tales together in an ending that seems only fitting for an over-the-top mystery adventure." — VOYA
"A wonderful combination of the buddy novel and pure fantasy. An excellent adventure, smartly written and wholly original." — Colleen Mondor, Bookslut
The Wall and the Wing
Harpercollins, 2006
Ages 9 and up
336 pages
Discussion Guide
Reader's Guide (PDF)
Excerpt
Utterly odd, fully fantasical, and seriously hilarious, The Wall and the Wing is one fantasy that will leave you breathless and keep you guessing until the last page is turned.
Continue the story with The Chaos King!.
Also available in the UK. Amazon.co.uk
Lily's Ghosts
NOW AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK!!!
Thirteen-year-old Lily Crabtree is infuriated when she's forced to move again after her mother's break up with the latest loser boyfriend. Now they're broke and they'll have to spend the winter in Uncle Wes's creepy summerhouse in Cape May, New Jersey.
And the place is crawling with ghosts.
From the spiteful teenager who mistakes Lily for her high school nemesis to the restless spirit of her eccentric Uncle Max, Lily is haunted by a host of unhappy phantoms. But why are they here? And what do they want?
With the help of her new friend, local boy Vaz, Lily tries to find out. But just as they are on the verge of piecing together the mystery, a casual family dinner turns into a beachfront showdown with guests both invited and unexpected, both corporal and supernatural. And the outcome is anything but certain.
You can buy LILY'S GHOSTS at Scholastic's book fairs and in book club catalogs.
-- A 2004 Edgar Award Nominee for Best Juvenile
-- A 2003 Parent's Choice Silver Honor for Fiction
-- The Center for Children's Books Best Books of 2003 List
-- One of the Chicago Public Library's “Best of the Best”
-- One of the New York Public Library's Books for the Teenage
-- A Sunshine State Award Book
-- A Garden State Book Award Nominee
-- A Rhode Island State Award Nominee
-- Interview about the genesis of LILY'S GHOSTS:spookycyn.blogspot.com
"A slightly spooky, romantic mystery. Her often funny story, peppered with ghostly interludes, is capped by that rarest of animals: a twist ending that is totally earned. This should be a movie just so tweens and teens will come ask for the book. Place it in their hands; they will likely thank you." — Kirkus
"Ruby doesn't horrify so much as she insinuates in gracefully nuanced language that provides chilling support for the action. Make room for this first novel on the surefire ghost tale shelf." — The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Sharp-witted narrative and lively characterizations... intriguing" — Publisher’s Weekly
"A fast-paced, comic tale." — Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"Sure to delight the reader, will tickle readers' funny bones." — Detroit Free Press
"Readers will keep turning pages to get to the (surprise) ending, but also because they'll be rooting for something good to happen to Lily." — Miami Herald
"A cast of eccentric characters plays out this intriguing story. Readers will be hooked right up to the surprising ending." — School Library Journal
Lily’s Ghosts
Harpercollins, 2003
Ages 9 and up
250 pages