About This Book
In Deb Caletti's lyrical young adult novel, sixteen-year-old Ruby McQueen, often called 'The Quiet Girl,' finds herself drawn into a thrilling but risky first romance with Travis Becker. Simultaneously, her mother, Ann, also dealing with a broken heart, enlists Ruby in a senior book club. When the group uncovers a tragic love story involving one of their own members, Ruby and Ann embark on a heartwarming road trip to reunite the long-separated lovers. This multigenerational story beautifully explores themes of love, loss, redemption, and the evolving relationship between a mother and daughter, offering rich opportunities for discussion about identity, courage, and the enduring nature of love.
In the summer of her junior year, sixteen-year-old Ruby McQueen and her mother, both nursing broken hearts, set out on a journey to reunite an elderly woman with her long-lost love and in the process learn many things about "the real ties that bind" people to one another.
Romantic Content
peril_danger
sadness_grief
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Ruby's relationship with Travis change her perception of herself? What does she learn about bravery and risk?
2
Discuss the different kinds of love explored in the book: first love, enduring love, mother-daughter love, and friendship. How are they similar or different?
3
What role do the senior women in the book club play in Ruby's and Ann's journeys? How do their stories influence the main characters?
4
The book talks about 'the real ties that bind.' What do you think these ties are, and how are they demonstrated throughout the story?
5
How do Ruby and Ann each deal with their broken hearts? What lessons do they learn from each other and from the quest to reunite the elderly lovers?
External Reviews
If Your Family Enjoyed This
Reviews
No reviews yet — be the first to share how this book landed with your family.