Title: The Ruby in the Smoke, a Sally Lockhart Mystery Author: Philip Pullman
ISBN: 9780375845161 Pages: 230
Publisher: Alfred A Knopf, New York, 2008
Publisher: Alfred A Knopf, New York, 2008
Readers Annotation:
Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father's mysterious demise. When Sally receives a cryptic note related to her father's disappearance, she investigates the truth behind his death.
Sally Lockhart is left alone in the world after her father's mysterious demise. When Sally receives a cryptic note related to her father's disappearance, she investigates the truth behind his death.
Author Information:
Pullman is the author of the critically acclaimed His Dark Materials series, and has received numerous awards for the following titles: The Golden Compass, winner of the Carnegie Medal in England, The Subtle Knife, winner of the Parent's Choice Gold Award, and The Amber Spyglass, winner of the Whitbread (Costa) Book of the Year Award. He has also written several other books for children and adolescents, including The Scarecrow and His Servant, I Was a Rat!, and Count Karlstein. In 2002, Pullman won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for children's literature.
Philip Pullman was born in Norwich, Norfolk UK in 1946, and was educated in England, Zimbabwe, Australia and North Wales. He became a teacher and taught at various Oxford Middle Schools and at Westminster College. Currently, Pullman lives in Oxford, England.
www.philip-pullman.com
Pullman is the author of the critically acclaimed His Dark Materials series, and has received numerous awards for the following titles: The Golden Compass, winner of the Carnegie Medal in England, The Subtle Knife, winner of the Parent's Choice Gold Award, and The Amber Spyglass, winner of the Whitbread (Costa) Book of the Year Award. He has also written several other books for children and adolescents, including The Scarecrow and His Servant, I Was a Rat!, and Count Karlstein. In 2002, Pullman won the Eleanor Farjeon Award for children's literature.
Philip Pullman was born in Norwich, Norfolk UK in 1946, and was educated in England, Zimbabwe, Australia and North Wales. He became a teacher and taught at various Oxford Middle Schools and at Westminster College. Currently, Pullman lives in Oxford, England.
www.philip-pullman.com
Plot Summary:
Sally is sixteen years old, very pretty, and alone in the world. Her father has died during a shipping expedition, and she is forced to live with her unkind Aunt Caroline, and her maid Ellen. Sally receives a mysterious note regarding her father's death, and determines that there is something more to her father's demise than she first supposed. During her quest to find the truth, she meets up with the kind photographer Frederik Garland. Once she proves her worth as a bookkeeper, Frederik invites Sally to live in his home, along with his sister, and their employee Trembler. Sally discovers the dangers of clashing with criminals, and learns the truth behind her father's old friend, Major Marchbanks. Together with her new acquaintances, Sally looks for answers surrounding her father's murder, an ancient ruby, and the 'Seven Blessings'.
Critical Evaluation:
This exciting and enthralling murder mystery takes place in Victorian England, during the 1870's. The story begins with a gripping hook, compelling the audience to read the entire mystery. Hair-raising and thrilling, the story of The Ruby in the Smoke is a real page turner. There is a level of intricacy to the circumstances surrounding the mystery Sally sets out to solve. An added emotional layer to the story is the coming together of many lonely characters to create a pseudo-family. The female protagonist is a likeable character, showing bravery coupled with reserve. Readers also feel the difficulties Sally faces as she discovers the truth of her past.
This exciting and enthralling murder mystery takes place in Victorian England, during the 1870's. The story begins with a gripping hook, compelling the audience to read the entire mystery. Hair-raising and thrilling, the story of The Ruby in the Smoke is a real page turner. There is a level of intricacy to the circumstances surrounding the mystery Sally sets out to solve. An added emotional layer to the story is the coming together of many lonely characters to create a pseudo-family. The female protagonist is a likeable character, showing bravery coupled with reserve. Readers also feel the difficulties Sally faces as she discovers the truth of her past.
Genre: Murder Mystery
Curriculum Ties: History - Victorian England
Booktalking Ideas:
1. Matthew Bedwell's life had been overrun by an addiction to opium, which directly affected his daughter. Do you know anyone who has had a dangerous addiction?
2. Although Sally's Aunt Caroline took her in, she does not love or care for Sally. Were you ever forced to live in a place where the head of the household did not want you there?
1. Matthew Bedwell's life had been overrun by an addiction to opium, which directly affected his daughter. Do you know anyone who has had a dangerous addiction?
2. Although Sally's Aunt Caroline took her in, she does not love or care for Sally. Were you ever forced to live in a place where the head of the household did not want you there?
Reading Level/Interest Age: 13+
Challenge Issue: none
Why I chose this item: Murder mysteries are a great addition to a YA collection, and Philip Pullman is a famous and award winning author. Therefore, I included this material in my project.
Further Series Reading: The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, The Tin Princess
Further Series Reading: The Shadow in the North, The Tiger in the Well, The Tin Princess
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