Pullman, Philip. The Ruby in the Smoke. New York: Random House Children's Books, 2008 (reprint). 256 pages $7.99 ISBN 9780375845161
Plot Summary: After losing her father at sea, Sally Lockhart decides to find out what really happened to him after receiving a mysterious letter. She becomes entangled in murder, theft, and opium addicts all leading back to her father. Sally befriends photographer Frederick, his sister Rosa, and their shop assistant Trembler. As she lives with them she helps create a successful photography business all while solving the mysteries her father left her with.
Critical Evaluation: This was a very mysterious book, and not at all what I expected. I thought Pullman did a great job revealing bits of information at a time to keep the reader glued to the pages. This is completely different than The Golden Compass, but maybe more appealing to a wider audience than the fantasy of The Golden Compass.
Reader's Annotation: After the death of her father, Sally Lockhart becomes involved in a string of mysteries surrounding his death and a large ruby.
Author Bio: Philip Pullman is most famous for the His Dark Materials series. He has published several books for children and young adults and will be releasing a book on Jesus in the near future. He is known for his criticism of organized religion, namely Christianity. As a child, Pullman moved from England to Zimbabwe to Australia and finally to North Wales. He went to Exeter College in Oxford for English. He has been a teacher most of his adult life, and balanced his teaching and lecturing with writing books.
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: This could be paired with a Victorian history study.
Booktalking Ideas: Talk about Sally and her adventures throughout London in search of answers about The Seven Blessing, a mysterious missing ruby and the death of her father.
Reading Level/Interest Age: 12 and up
Challenges: There is mention of drug use.
Reason for including: I like Pullman's His Dark Materials series so I wanted to give this series a try as well.
Critical Evaluation: This was a very mysterious book, and not at all what I expected. I thought Pullman did a great job revealing bits of information at a time to keep the reader glued to the pages. This is completely different than The Golden Compass, but maybe more appealing to a wider audience than the fantasy of The Golden Compass.
Reader's Annotation: After the death of her father, Sally Lockhart becomes involved in a string of mysteries surrounding his death and a large ruby.
Author Bio: Philip Pullman is most famous for the His Dark Materials series. He has published several books for children and young adults and will be releasing a book on Jesus in the near future. He is known for his criticism of organized religion, namely Christianity. As a child, Pullman moved from England to Zimbabwe to Australia and finally to North Wales. He went to Exeter College in Oxford for English. He has been a teacher most of his adult life, and balanced his teaching and lecturing with writing books.
Genre: Mystery, Historical Fiction
Curriculum Ties: This could be paired with a Victorian history study.
Booktalking Ideas: Talk about Sally and her adventures throughout London in search of answers about The Seven Blessing, a mysterious missing ruby and the death of her father.
Reading Level/Interest Age: 12 and up
Challenges: There is mention of drug use.
Reason for including: I like Pullman's His Dark Materials series so I wanted to give this series a try as well.
