Ruby Goldberg's Bright Idea
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- $7.99
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- $7.99
Publisher Description
Ruby wants first prize at the fifth grade science fair—and she thinks her quirky, creative, Rube Goldberg–esque invention is just the way to get it! Rife with “depth and charm,” this story is peppered with engaging science facts and insights (Publishers Weekly).
Ten-year-old Ruby Goldberg is determined to win her school science fair and beat her nemesis Dominic Robinson. She’s snagged second place for the last two years, and she’s set on claiming first prize. The only trouble is that Ruby has no ideas. When her grandfather’s beloved basset hound dies, Ruby thinks of the perfect thing that will cheer him up and win her first place—an innovative, state-of-the-art, not-to-be-duplicated Ruby Goldberg invention!
Before long Ruby is so busy working on her idea that she ignores everything else in her life, including her best friend, Penny. And what started out as simple turns into something much more complicated! Can Ruby get her priorities—and her project—in order before it’s too late?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ten-year-old Ruby, named after iconoclastic artist/inventor Rube Goldberg, is determined to take home the gold medal at the school science fair. The top prize has gone to her archenemy, Dominic, for two years running, but this year nothing will stop Ruby, whose love of science is trumped only by her love of winning. Taking inspiration from her namesake, Ruby decides her project will be a Goldberg-style machine designed to help her grandfather, whose beloved dog has died. When Dominic volunteers to help out, Ruby reluctantly accepts, acknowledging that by joining forces, their project will be even stronger. Ruby's single-mindedness veers into selfishness during the collaboration, causing friction with both her best friend Penny and her grandfather. Ruby is brash and witty, even in her most self-absorbed moments, and YA author Humphrey (Rhymes with Cupid) peppers her first middle-grade novel with engaging science facts and Ruby's own insights into her project. Newton's illustrations mesh gracefully with the lightly humorous tone. While Penny is overly earnest, other secondary characters, along with the flawed but endearing Ruby, give the story depth and charm. Ages 8 12.
