Emma and the Ruby Ring [Hardcover]

Yvonne MacGrory (Author), Terry Myler (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up

While on a visit to her cousin’s home, Emma overhears a conversation in which others describe her as selfish and uncaring. Feeling misunderstood, Emma twists the ruby ring on her finger and wishes she could prove these opinions wrong. Emma dozes off, and when she wakes up, she finds she is no longer at her cousin’s house. The magical ring has transported her to 19th-century Ireland during the time of the potato famine. At the gates of an Irish workhouse a starving mob clamors for admittance, and Emma’s adventure begins. With her two new friends, Sally and Maria, she journeys to Moylough Castle, where she must unravel a mystery — and fulfill the wish that she has made. She discovers the secrets within the castle’s ancient walls and is forced to use all her strength and intelligence to prevent her companions from being banished to the New World.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Emma Martin takes readers on a trip to 19th-century Ireland after accidentally making a wish on her cousin's magic ring in Emma and the Ruby Ring by Yvonne MacGrory, the follow-up to The Secret of the Ruby Ring. Terry Myler's b&w cross-hatch drawings pepper the text.
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 4-6-In this sequel to The Secret of the Ruby Ring (Milkweed, 1994), Emma, 11, overhears family friends calling her selfish and counting the days until her visit with them ends, and she resolves to change her ways. A ruby ring with the power to grant two wishes gives her the chance, and twisting it transports her to 19th-century Ireland. She suddenly finds herself in a crowd entering a workhouse and befriends an ill, worried, widowed mother and her two daughters. When Mrs. Madden dies, Emma accompanies the girls to Moylough Castle to help them fulfill their mother's last request, which was to find a certain cousin. She gets work as a scullery maid and discovers the importance of the dying woman's instruction. For the most part, this is a fast-paced mystery. However, the historical elements are much more convincing than the characterizations, and the author does little to establish the Irish setting in the present day. Emma's realization of her selfishness and resolve to change comes on a bit too suddenly, and adds an unnecessary didactic element to an otherwise entertaining read. The ending is surprising and satisfying, with the ownership of the castle coming full circle. Sketchy illustrations add little to the story. Despite its flaws, this book will appeal to readers with healthy appetites for time-travel mysteries.
Heather Dieffenbach, Lexington Public Library, KY
Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: Milkweed Editions; 1 edition (March 5, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1571316353
• ISBN-13: 978-1571316356
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,642,991 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderfully written novel, May 17, 2002

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Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Emma and the Ruby Ring (Hardcover)

When Emma overhears other people calling her selfish and difficult, she makes a wish while wearing her cousin's ruby ring which has the power to grant two wishes to its wearer. Emma is then whisked a way from her home in 19th Century Ireland to the gates of a workhouse and a starving mob clamoring for admittance. Emma is befriended by Sally and Maria, and with the two sisters manages to escape to Moylough Castle and find work as a scullery maid. But her new friends need her help so although Emma would prefer to go home, she must stay in order to fulfill a promise and unravel the secrets of the castle. Yvonne MacGrory's Emma And The Ruby Ring is a wonderfully written novel and enhanced for young readers with black-and-white sketches by Terry Myler. Also very highly recommended is Yvonne MacGrory's previous novel, The Secret Of The Ruby Ring (0915943921, [$$$]).