Why a Booktrail?
The past – A little girl in old China who doesn’t want to do what is expected of her
Ruby’s Wish
What you need to know before your trail
Set in the past, in a more traditional and old fashioned China, Ruby lives at a time when it was expected that girls would get married and that this was the wish of every girl to make a good marriage and a secure future. Ruby however wants to go to university but these are different times and freedom for girls is not widespread at all.
Will she be able to convince her parents that they should let her spread her wings?
This story is based on the life of the author’s grandmother and is a touching tribute to her.
Travel Guide
Set in old China, where girls were expected to marry and not do what they wanted in life, Ruby wants more. Her grandfather recognises this and so arranges for a tutor to come to the house for both girls and boys to study. Ruby excels and makes great strides in what she does. Her grandfather realises she doesn’t want to marry and sees her potential.
In old China where traditions and belief systems were so against women getting their freedom, the grandfather (himself married with many wives and sons – a sign of wealth, privilege and good fortune) Ruby like her siblings and family members are expected to mary and she does expect this at some point.
One New Year however she receives an unexpected surprise in her traditional red lucky envelope…
The young girl who wants to learn and better herself and the grandfather who recognises this is a touching story about challenging tradition and gaining independence.
And learning lots about the traditions and belief systems in old China along the way..
Where Next?
