In this sequel to Ruby Lu, Brave and True (2004), Ruby Lu achieves her life's dream: to be a school "smile buddy." Assigned to help Flying Duck, her deaf cousin from China, acclimate to second grade, Ruby Lu takes her responsibility seriously. Unfortunately, she shirks her own duties as student, and both she and her cousin are assigned summer school for remedial work. During the course of the year, Spunky Ruby Lu also experiences the trauma of a letter home pinned to her shirt, scary swimming lessons, and the acquisition of reading glasses. Although the situations are age appropriate, some of the vocabulary and the similes ("thick as Russian novels") will fly over the heads of the book's intended audience, a few of whom may also find the length of the book a bit daunting. Even so, there's plenty of appealing detail about Ruby Lu's family life, and Look's portrayal of how immigration can strain a household is nicely handled, as are Ruby's humorous yet sincere endeavors to communicate with and help her cousin. Ages 6 - 10
By Lenore Look, Illustrated by Anne Wilsdorf, Hardcover, 176 pages, 7.6" x 5.6"
