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Yai Dzamesi (Illustrator)
Pub date March 4, 2025
One Elm Books
ISBN 978-1947159877
Price $18.99 (USD) Hardcover
High crafts an emotionally rich and powerful story in her latest novel, centered on twelve-year-old Ruby Bean, a young girl navigating a life shaped by the unpredictable presence of her mother, Ruthie. Ruthie’s struggles with mental illness and addiction pull her away from home time and again, leaving Ruby to grapple with the constant cycle of waiting, worrying, and wondering.
Over time, Ruby becomes an “expert on Missing Mothers,” attuned to the subtle cues and unspoken realities of her mother’s absences. When her mother disappears once more, Ruby and her Aunt Marion embark on a cross-country journey, determined to bring Ruthie home. As they travel, Ruby unfolds her story and her mother’s, sharing moments of joy, love, and heartbreak—capturing the complicated beauty of loving someone caught in their own struggles. High masterfully balances Ruby’s innocent optimism with the forced maturity her circumstances demand, portraying a young girl’s fierce love and resilience in the face of abandonment.
The story serves as Ruby’s love letter to her mother and a powerful reflection of the strength of family bonds. The book also delves into broader themes of family, identity, and the ways mental illness can ripple through generations. With unflinching honesty and sensitivity, it captures Ruthie as both a woman besieged by her demons and a mother deeply loved by her daughter. Yai Dzamesi’s vibrant illustrations add another layer of warmth, illuminating Ruby’s story and emphasizing the quiet strength of belonging. A beautifully illustrated, soul-stirring story that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.
***
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