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Title: Lock and Key
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Manufacturer: Viking Juvenile
List Price: $18.99
Our Price: $10.92
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| Customer Reviews: |
| Lock and Key by Viking Juvenile Courtesy of Teens Read Too | It's been a quite a long time that I found myself sitting up until three in the morning, wanting desperately to finish a story. But that is exactly where I found myself the other night with LOCK AND KEY in my hands. I was so engrossed in Ruby and her story that I had to find out how it ended.
Ruby Cooper has always looked out for Number One. When Ruby was eight, her sister Cora left for university and never looked back. It was always Ruby and her mother, moving from one place to another. Her mother's excuse was to avoid creditors and landlords. Ruby slowly comes to find out that this is the version her mother wanted her to hear.
Early on in her senior year of high school, Ruby's mom does a runner. Leaving Ruby all alone in the rented yellow house, Ruby does what she can to survive. She will be eighteen in less than a year, and if she can hide the fact that she's alone until then, the authorities won't be able to touch her. But when the dryer fails at her rented house and the landlords notice a clothes line strung throughout the kitchen, Ruby's life is forever changed.
Custody of Ruby is given over to her older sister, Cora. Cora and her husband, Jamie, live in a wealthy community and live a life totally foreign to everything Ruby has ever known. Not trusting Cora and Jamie's intentions, Ruby plots an escape her first night in her new home. Making a break over the fence in the back yard, her escape is foiled by one rambunctious dog, Roscoe. Roscoe's barking brings a curious "Hello?" from the other side of the fence. Here she meets her next door neighbor, Nate. Nate's outlook on life is upbeat and infectious. But Ruby does everything she can to keep him at bay, as well.
Slowly, Ruby learns to adjust the new life she has been given, and develop friendships in the most unlikely places. Ruby has always kept on the fringes and avoided being indebted to anyone. But as she grows and evolves, she realizes that maybe others need her just as much as she needs them. With a class assignment to define "Family," Ruby understands that the word has many meanings, and most of them don't necessarily mean blood relations.
Sarah Dessen writes another amazing novel for young adults. LOCK AND KEY is wonderful, heartfelt story. All of the characters draw you in and make you feel like you are part of their lives. Jamie's naiveté is endearing. Cora's infertility struggles hit you in the heart. Olivia's tough girl exterior has cracks you get to see through. Harriett is just as harried as her name implies. And the perfect-seeming Nate has secrets all his own.
My only regret with this book is that I failed to move it to the top of my To Be Read pile as soon as it arrived for review. So if you have this one sitting around at home, make it the next one you read. And if you've picked it up at the book store, considering purchasing it, definitely do so the next time you are there. You won't regret it!
Reviewed by: Jaglvr | | Lock and Key by Viking Juvenile Babysitting 1 night | | I swear to you I'll probably never be asked to babysit again because I got so into this book one night, that I didn't even play with the 3 kids I was with. I cooked dinner, gave baths, and than I read! I loved this book soooo much. It was really amazing and I finished it in one night. I went straight through this 430 page book head first. I cannot wait until more of her books come out. I have only been a fan of Just Listen and Someone Like You and tried others of hers but couldn't get into it. Than I saw this book and fell in love. This is one of the most amazing books I have read. I would suggest it to anyone who is looking for a relaxing and laid back book to read. | | Lock and Key by Viking Juvenile Excellent book | I've been a huge fan of Sarah Dessen and have read every single one of her books, so I was really excited to hear that she was coming out with a new book.
Lock and Key is the story of a girl, Ruby, whose mother is addicted to alcohol. One day, her mother leaves, and Ruby is left living by herself in her yellow house until social services turns up. Ruby is then sent to live with her sister Cora, who she hasn't had contact with in over ten years. Ruby feels out of place in her sister's perfect life - the perfect house, perfect job, and fun and loving husband Jamie. So the first night Ruby stays with her sister, Ruby tries to escape, but meets Nate, the boy next door.
Nate is sweet and nice and is always there for Ruby, even when she least expects it. As her friendship with Nate progresses, she learns that there is more than meets the eye. Through Nate, she learns to understand herself better and realize how to open herself to others.
As Ruby struggles with her new life with her sister, Nate, and her new school, she learns what the true meaning of friendship and family is.
Lock and Key is a well written novel with excellently developed characters. There are layers to Ruby that Dessen skillfully unravels that help the readers understand what Ruby is going through. Nate becomes more than just a popular jock, but a boy who has his own problems and troubles.
While I really enjoyed this book, I agree with another reviewer, that it seemed a little bit rushed at the end. The whole book built up so much momentum and then just ended, when so much more could've been said. But overall, Lock and Key was an excellent book that all Dessen fans should go pick up and read. | | Lock and Key by Viking Juvenile awesome! | | Awesome book! I love all her books. If you like any of her other books you'll like this one. | | Lock and Key by Viking Juvenile worth reading | | I think Lock and Key overall was just good. Don't get me wrong, this book is definitely worth reading. Through the first 70 pages it's mostly background knowledge, and you really need to know how Ruby grew up to understand her story. After about page 75 its starts to get good and then by page 200 or so it starts to get amazing. The ending however, is a little disappointing(not bad)to some people, but necessary. Give Lock and Key a chance!! | | Lock and Key by Viking Juvenile Product Description | | “Ruby, where is your mother?” Ruby knows that the game is up. For the past few months, she’s been on her own in the yellow house, managing somehow, knowing that her mother will probably never return. That’s how she comes to live with Cora, the sister she hasn’t seen in ten years, and Cora’s husband Jamie, whose down-to-earth demeanor makes it hard for Ruby to believe he founded the most popular networking Web site around. A luxurious house, fancy private school, a new wardrobe, the promise of college and a future—it’s a dream come true. So why is Ruby such a reluctant Cinderella, wary and defensive? And why is Nate, the genial boy next door with some secrets of his own, unable to accept the help that Ruby is just learning to give? Best-selling author Sarah Dessen explores the heart of a gutsy, complex girl dealing with unforeseen circumstances and learning to trust again. |
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