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February 16, 2007
THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE by Philip Pullman
A few weeks ago I was kind of watching television and an advertisement for Masterpiece Theatre began. It immediately drew me in, because the story dramatized was THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE.
This title may be unfamiliar to you, but if you loved THE GOLDEN COMPASS and its sequels in HIS DARK MATERIALS; you will be pleased to learn this book is written by Philip Pullman.
Mr. Pullman has created Sally Lockhart, a Nancy Drew like heroine who lives in Victorian England. After the death of her father, Sally, alone and friendless, is drawn into a mystery that could cause her death. She is following the trail of a mysterious ruby; it may have caused the death of her father, the death of a stranger who summoned her; and an opium loving sailor. There is also a evil old woman shadowing everything Sally does. Along the way Sally makes some new friends, begins a new career, and of course, solves the mystery.
For a good old-fashion mystery with a great female character, try the Sally Lockhart mysteries, THE RUBY IN THE SMOKE, THE SHADOW IN THE NORTH, and THE TIGER IN THE WELL.
This series is RECOMMENDED FOR GRADES 8 AND UP.
Mrs. Jackson
Head of Young Adult Services
Posted by fjacksonem at February 16, 2007 2:09 PM