Book Review: One of Those Hideous Books Where the Mother Dies

1.BIBLIOGRAPHY
Sones, Sonya. 2004. ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS WHERE THE MOTHER DIES. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689858205

2. PLOT SUMMARY
Ruby, a precocious and intellectually-gifted fifteen-year-old, has just lost her mother to cancer. Following her mother’s death, she is forced to move to Los Angeles to live with her absentee movie star father, Whip Logan. In doing so, she leaves behind her friends, her boyfriend, and all she’s ever known, embarking on a new and unexpected journey through life and the grieving process. Her life in L.A. is filled with new friends, like her father’s assistant, Max, and new adventures, like the earthquake in the grand finale. Through it all, Ruby presses on with wit and charm, getting past each day in a new and unfamiliar environment, ultimately discovering that the sweet embrace of home may be closer than she thinks.

3.CRITICAL ANALYSIS
Sones’ novel deals primarily with the grief and healing process of losing a close family member, in this case the protagonist’s mother. Ruby’s journey of self-discovery in a world without her mother is poignant without being needlessly sorrowful—the character has a genuine desire to flourish in her new life, and it shows. Although the true horror of losing a parent is felt throughout the novel, Ruby’s perseverance, tenacity, and even humor make this anything but a depressing read. Sones shows young readers that there is more to the grieving process than simply how much a person cries, and this book could be valuable solace for anyone who’s ever been in Ruby’s shoes.

From a poetic perspective, Sones is incredibly talented, stringing together a complex and emotionally involving narrative almost entirely from blank verse. E-mail exchanges between Ruby and her friends serve as cutaways, and although these are considerably less poetically-charged, they serve as an important characterization device for Ruby where it pertains to the friends she left behind. The language throughout is accessible to the book’s target age range, and may even serve as a stepping stone for future experiences with Shakespeare and other noted authors of blank verse. Sones speaks to her audience without ever condescending, despite the high-mindedness of her form, and ultimately leaves behind a legacy of knowing, emotionally-welcoming literature.

For anyone, young or old, who has lost a parent or someone close, ONE OF THOSE HIDEOUS BOOKS can be a sympathetic companion, as it speaks from a perspective of knowing empathy. In situations like Ruby’s, it is normal to feel trapped and not know who to turn to. Sones takes great pains to let these readers know that they are not alone, providing a compelling read that centers around a truly memorable character. In the end, this book is anything but hideous, guiding the reader as it guides its lead character through an experience that, ultimately, no one is ready for.


4. REVIEW EXCERPT(S)
BOOKLIST starred review: “A satisfying, moving novel.”
SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL starred review: "This is not just another one of those gimmicky novels written in poetry."
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY review: "A winning portrayal of a teenage girl’s loves and losses."

5. CONNECTIONS
*This book serves as a fitting companion for units on the subject of coping with loss.
*Ruby’s life is narrated through poetry. After reading the book, have your students write poems of their own about day-to-day occurrences.
*Other books about coping with loss:
Peterson, Katherine. BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA. ISBN 0060734019
Portis, Charles. TRUE GRIT. ISBN 0848833104