This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
RJ Simon is a multidisciplinary artist and a published author/illustrator. The first story in her fictional series for middle graders, Ruby Lane, was published mid 2017. She is a member of the Society for Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the Australian Society of Authors, the Children's Book Council of Australia, and the Just Write For Kids facebook group.
Reviewed by Melinda Hills for Readers' Favorite
An imaginative, fairy tale-like story, Ruby Lane by RJ Simon is an exciting and enchanting tale for children. Young Ruby lets her imagination take her to faraway and interesting places while leaving her day-to-day responsibilities behind. Her room is a mess and her cat, Catty, is moody, but the promise of a trip to her grandmother’s house out on an island has Ruby ready to take the proper action.
On the way to the island on a glass-bottom boat, Ruby falls asleep. Upon arriving at the island, Ruby realizes that things are not quite right – it looks like Raintree Forest Island but is actually the Island of Peels – and she is met by a talking cat dressed in a pirate’s costume. A magic book seems to be not working properly so Ruby and Pirate go in search of the Great Poet Gerry to return it to him. Meeting interesting people, riding horses on the sea and other adventures await Ruby and Pirate as they cross the island to find Gerry. Will the Great Poet Gerry be able to help Ruby use the book correctly so she can get to where she belongs?
RJ Simon has created an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable story for children that employs plenty of word play and hints at fairy tales and other childhood writing. It is a fabulous celebration of the power of the imagination, with the gentle cautionary note about taking care of business at the same time. This is certainly a must-read story that could be read aloud to younger children or read individually by everyone else. Ruby Lane could very easily become a classic as a beloved favorite tale. Absolutely delightful. I hope there is more to come!
