Through a Ruby Window

By Susan Klein

Book Overview

At once funny, tender, and wise, these stories transport the readers to their own metaphorical islands. "Before geography lessons and off-island travel enlightened us, we children assumed that all people lived as we did. We thought the world was made up of islands, each having its own merry-go-round. What a pity we were wrong." So begins this collection of fifteen beautiful stories, each a window into Susan Klein's distinctive experience growing up on Martha's Vineyard.The island was then a sleepy community animated by the annual Bass and Bluefish Derby with its exaggerated fishing lore, full-day beach parties where family buried barrels of hot rocks, sausage, linguica, onions and seaweed in the sand to steam cook--and the nation's oldest merry-go-round, a creaking wonder of murals, glitter, and brass rings. In one story young Susan packs coffee and sugar with her mother to send to relatives in Germany while learning about life in the old country. In another, she walks barefoot through a raging thunderstorm with eccentric Aunt Fanny.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0874837537
• ISBN13: 9780874837537
• Release Date: December 2005
• Publisher: August House Publishers
• Length: 188 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.6" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 11 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 6 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

A wonderful read for anyone who's ever been a child!

Although I purchased this book specifically because Susan Klein grew up on Martha's Vineyard (an island I adore), I fell in love with it for the childhood she describes. Many of the short stories (some only a page) describe the idyllic childhood of days gone by - when a 5 year old could ride her new bike unsupervised, and older children formed teams to play strategic games for hours on end. But Susan Klein does a remarkable job of encapsulating all that growing up entails - the real and the imagined pains of childhood, as well as the joy. She touches upon so many subjects that you might mistakenly think it is a heavy read - broken families, religion, the challenge of making ends meet. But mostly it is a collection of stories that will warm your heart, and sometimes make you laugh outloud. Now, if only there were a sequel so I would know what happened to her best friend David...

Wonderful stories to remind us all of childhood innocence.

This book reminded me of my own childhood, even though it took place in another generation and very far from my home town. It is a book everyone can relate to.Klein's way with words and descriptions is incredible! She has had such intriging experiences, such as her father leaving them at such a young age, her intruduction to bigotry and segregation, and such wonderful happenings on "her own little island."She talks of making jam, riding on the "flying horses", and of cook-outs on the beach (with at least one lobster per person).It truely is a beautifully written book and I reccomend it to anyone who would like to be transported to another time and place for just a short time.Thank you Susan Klein!