Parents need to know that Lenore Look's Ruby Lu series stars an 8-year-old Chinese-American girl and emphasizes overcoming fear of the unknown. For Ruby, this means facing her dad's unexpected long-term unemployment, summer school, swim lessons that terrify her, and disagreements with friends. These aren't easy issues, but the series presents them in the straightforward way kids often approach complex situations. Ruby tries to navigate the cultural tug-of-war between her day-to-day life with a diverse group of friends on 20th Avenue South and the life her grandparents had in China, a task made harder when her deaf cousin, Flying Duck, immigrates right into Ruby's bedroom. A great choice for families looking for books featuring diverse characters.
