Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln


Children - Mystery
381 Pages
Reviewed on 01/05/2025
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    Book Review

Reviewed by P. Rosenthal for Readers' Favorite

Are Ruby Ledger's brilliant mind and her pet monkey Coco her only true allies? Set in the late 1850s, Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Arianna Skolnick is historical fiction that follows the story of nine-year-old Ruby, a misfit in her own family due to her genius. On the surface, Ruby is affluent, beautiful, and tenacious. She is also correspondingly rude, unscrupulous, and arrogant. But deep down she yearns to belong and to have friends and family who love her for who she is. She longs to be a detective, a goal that seems impossible for a young girl in this period. Yet nine-year-old Ruby invents enterprising gadgets, thwarts an assassination attempt, and finds herself recruited by a secret agency. Not surprising. After all, she is tiny but mighty!

Genius can be a blessing and a curse. Such is the circumstance for Ruby, the main character in Arianna Skolnick’s Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Skolnick provides readers with an immersive read as the protagonists work together to protect Abraham Lincoln. Gifted with extraordinary intelligence, Ruby becomes entangled in a perilous conspiracy. To complicate matters, Ruby’s struggles with family dynamics and friendships create trust issues. Fans of historical fiction and strong, independent heroines will find much to enjoy in this book. With its interesting plot, well-developed characters, and unexpected twists, this is a must-read for anyone who loves a thrilling adventure. Join Ruby on her journey to become a detective.

Pikasho Deka

Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln is a children's sleuth mystery novel by Ari Skolnick. It's the year 1859. Ruby Ledger is a precocious nine-year-old with a knack for inventions and sleuthing skills that always get her in trouble with her parents. After her latest mission, Ruby's parents send her to the prestigious Miss Holmes' Academy in Washington, D.C., much to her chagrin. Her only reprieve is that her favorite teacher, Mr. Henry, also teaches at the academy. On a trip to the White House, Ruby discovers a conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Meanwhile, Ruby also learns about her biological parents and finds her own place in a covert agency. Can she and her friends stop the assassination? What's next in store for Ruby?

Young mystery lovers will have a blast with Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. Featuring secret agencies, a lovable protagonist, and an absorbing plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat, Ari Skolnick delivers a captivating tale of mystery, conspiracy, and mayhem. You don't know what to expect as the story is completely unpredictable. Skolnick keeps the plot moving briskly, with a few well-placed surprises at every turn. Ruby is an adorable character who is easy to root for. I liked her different relationship dynamics, be it with Lulu, Willie, Coco, Mr. Henry, or her parents. I found the reveals about the HIA to be very unexpected, and those were some of my favorite parts of the story. The ending hints at more of Ruby's adventures. I can't wait to read the sequels. Highly recommended!

Alma Boucher

Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Ari Skolnick tells the story of Ruby, a brilliant nine-year-old girl. Ruby was quite petite for her age, which often led others to believe she was younger than she was. Ruby had aspirations of becoming a detective and frequently created various detective tools for her investigations. Ruby was sent to Miss Holmes' Academy in Washington, D.C. to learn how to be a proper young lady and acquire the skills expected of her. Although Ruby was initially reluctant about attending the academy, she soon found two close friends. During a visit to the White House, Ruby accidentally heard about a conspiracy to assassinate Abraham Lincoln. Ruby shared this information with her friends, and together they devised plans to prevent the assassination.

Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Ari Skolnick was unique and captivating. The plot was fast-paced, with Ruby’s adventures and inventions delivering excitement from beginning to end. The writing style was charming, making it effortless to immerse myself in Ruby’s journey. The characters were well-crafted and authentic. Although Ruby aimed to make a difference, being a girl limited her in some respects. but she never allowed that to discourage her, and there were moments when I forgot she was just nine years old. The story was beautifully crafted, and Ruby consistently came across as a young girl despite her evident maturity. I appreciated seeing historical events through Ruby's perspective. Ruby saying that she might be tiny but was mighty is the perfect representation of her character.

Carol Thompson

Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Ari Skolnick blends historical fiction and mystery through the eyes of its adventurous young protagonist, Ruby Ledger. Set against the American Civil War backdrop, the novel is rich with historical detail and an imaginative plot. Ruby Ledger, a nine-year-old aspiring detective, becomes entwined in the events leading up to President Abraham Lincoln’s assassination. Skolnick crafts Ruby’s character with a mix of innocence and intellect, making her inspiring to young readers. The incorporation of historical figures and events is executed thoughtfully, offering educational insights without overshadowing the plot. The story’s historical accuracy merges effortlessly with fictional elements, presenting a fascinating “what if” scenario that challenges the reader’s perception of well-known historical events.

Ari Skolnick crafts a vivid setting that immerses young readers in the 19th century, from the lively streets of Boston to the charged atmospheres of political gatherings. The supporting characters are well-developed and contribute significantly to the narrative. Their interactions with Ruby further the plot and highlight the era’s societal norms and challenges. The novel also does a commendable job of addressing themes of gender, social class, and the pursuit of knowledge. The writing style is ambitious and generally effective, especially for a middle-grade audience. Skolnick weaves complex historical content into a narrative accessible to younger readers. Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln is an enchanting read that combines mystery, history, and adventure. It’s a commendable addition to the historical fiction genre.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

It’s 1859 and Ruby Ledger is more than just a nine-year-old girl from a rich family. She has an extraordinary talent and she’s quite brilliant for her age in subjects like science, math, and history and she even speaks several languages fluently. In Ari Skolnick’s Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Ruby is on a mission to save President Abraham Lincoln. Some nefarious adversaries are out to assassinate him, mostly because of his anti-slavery beliefs. Ruby is determined to rescue the president before it’s too late. In the process, she learns that her family isn’t who she thought they were, and that her talents are inherited. Sent off to a private girls' school, Ruby doesn’t think she can follow her passion for solving mysteries, but she’s quickly proven wrong when a class trip to the White House leads her to discover a plot to assassinate Lincoln. Can she save the president?

Ari Skolnick’s middle-grade novel, Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln, is a fascinating mystery based on one of America’s most illustrious presidents, Abraham Lincoln. The story is written in the first person narrative from young Ruby’s point of view. She’s quite the storyteller and unravels a compelling tale of espionage and intrigue that will have young readers glued to the book to the end. The plot follows Ruby as she stumbles upon one mystery and clue after another and always ends up putting herself in danger. The characters are well developed and believable and the dialogue is used effectively to help build the characters and move the story along. This is a great historical read.

Courtnee Turner Hoyle

In Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by Ari Skolnick, nine-year-old Ruby feels lonely and doesn't fit in with the rest of her family. Her teacher, Mr. Henry, has taught her several languages, and Ruby wants to become an inventor and a detective. Unfortunately, there weren't many progressive minds in 1859, and her parents pushed her toward more feminine pursuits. After a successful mission to capture a perpetrator, her unconformity angers her family and they send her away to Miss Holmes's Academy. When she returns home for the holidays, her parents give her an ornate necklace, but its history is steeped in secrets and adventure. Using the key and information from a box, Ruby and her friends race to keep a nefarious plot from coming to fruition. Before the story, the author provides a helpful glossary of terms and inventions from the 1800s as a reference.

Ari Skolnick uses the language and history of the 1800s to immerse readers in a fantastic tale they won't be able to put down. Told from Ruby's perspective, readers will meet historical figures and discover scientific facts while they learn about the characters through a diary and personal stories. In her adventures with her new friends Lulu and Willie, and Coco, her capuchin monkey that goes everywhere with her, Ruby shows that her intelligence and capabilities are near genius levels. As she navigates her discovery of the Hartford Intelligence Agency and what membership entails, she must also negotiate the complexities of her family dynamics and a feud with the Acker sisters. There are deeper mysteries about Ruby, drawing the reader in and keeping them hanging on until the last page. Readers who enjoy adventurous stories full of intrigue will love Ruby Ledger and the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln.