Written by Lauren Child
What a great idea! Lauren Child’s fictional character, Clarice Bean, loves all things Ruby Redfort: the books, the TV show, everything. Now we get to read why in Ruby Redfort: Look Into My Eyes. Ms. Child has written a book about one of her favorite character’s favorite characters.
Ruby is a genius at cracking codes, solving puzzles, and getting herself out of trouble. Along with her best friend, Clancy, her lovable, rich, but not so smart parents, spies and counterspies, Ruby handles what comes her way with flair. In this first book of the series, we meet 13 year old Ruby and learn she has been hired by Spectrum, a secret intelligence agency, to crack a code believed to be part of a gold robbery. Together with Hitch, a top notch spy posing as the Redfort’s butler, they try to outsmart the evil villains.
I really enjoyed this book and had a hard time putting it down the more I got into the story. Ruby’s rules and T-shirt sayings fit right into the story. There’s plenty of action, screwball comedy, and colorful characters galore. The artwork matches so perfectly for a spy novel. Suspend reality and enjoy the funny, brilliant, wonderful character of Ruby Redfort. I can see why Clarice Bean loves her so much.
Review by Renee Larsen, Hillside Elem. School Media Center
Rating: ★★★★★ (5 stars)
Interest Level: Grades 4-6
www.milkmonitor.com (Lauren Child’s Website)
Ruby Redfort: Look Into My Eyes
Written by Lauren Child
Candlewick Press
383 pages
Release Date: March 27, 2012
ISBN: 9780763651206 (hardcover)
