Junior Library Guild Selection
Andre Norton—Nebula Award Winner
"A page-turning mix of science, science fiction, and mystery that will empower readers to pursue their own STEM passions." —Kirkus Reviews
"Ruby is a fun, smart, and lovably realistic protagonist, well balanced against the different personalities among her friends. Her strength lies in both her capability and her bonds of family, friendship, and community... An entertaining and highly recommended read, perfect for readers who love science and adventure-mysteries." —Booklist
"Bradford’s entertaining and informative tale highlights the value of scientific and critical thinking as well as the importance of friendship and community." —School Library Journal
"I inhaled this book in half a day and LOVED every moment! Amazing scientist heroine, alien bug, adventures—this book has it all." —Yoon Ha Lee, award-winning author of Dragon Pearl
"An action-packed, hilarious, heart-rending story. It is perfect in every way: from Ruby’s dedication to science to her incredible friend group. I am personally ready for Ruby Finley to take over the world." —Mark Oshiro, award-winning author of The Insiders and You Only Live Once, David Bravo
Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion
Narrated by Channie Waites
K. Tempest BradfordUnabridged — 4 hours, 17 minutes
Ruby Finley vs. the Interstellar Invasion
Narrated by Channie Waites
K. Tempest BradfordUnabridged — 4 hours, 17 minutes
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Overview
When eleven-year-old Ruby finds the weirdest bug she's ever seen in her front yard, she does what any young entomologist would do: She quickly captures it for further study.
But this insect is not your average bug. It doesn't appear in any of Ruby's reference books, and no online experts can identify it. Before Ruby can celebrate discovering a new species, the bug escapes. Soon, odd things go missing around
town, and no one's heard from the cranky old lady down the block for nearly a week. Where did this weird insect come from, where did it go, and why has everything gone sideways? If she wants answers, Ruby will have to use her best
tools-her brain, the scientific method, and a crew of neighborhood friends-to catch the strange bug before the feds do.
K. Tempest Bradford's middle grade debut is an action-packed backyard mystery full of true friendship, strange adventure, and kids getting into the best kind of trouble.
Editorial Reviews
09/01/2022
Gr 3–5—Ruby loves bugs, so much so that she plans to be an entomologist one day. The Black tween's science project revolves around training bees to recognize and respond to certain smells, if she can convince her science teacher to support her. Her discovery of an unusual red bug changes everything. Not only is the bug unidentifiable but it also escapes by eating through the jar! Even stranger, her social media post brings government agents to the neighborhood to track it down. But when Ruby spots the bug again while spying on a neighbor who hasn't been seen recently, Ruby realizes it has grown bigger and seems to be eating metal. When the playground at an abandoned school disappears, Ruby recruits her friends to help her gather evidence to prove to the adults that the bug exists and is a hazard. The children's incursion into the empty school proves to be more adventure than any of them could have foreseen. In addition to the adventures related to the strange bug, Ruby and her friends must face rumors, conspiracy theories, and community concerns. Bradford's entertaining and informative tale highlights the value of scientific and critical thinking as well as the importance of friendship and community. VERDICT A good choice for middle grade collections, especially where there's a need for science fiction with BIPOC main characters.—Heidi Grange
2022-08-02
Eleven-year-old Ruby Finley is a gifted science student who loves bugs.
Ruby, who presents as Black on the book’s cover, often stores insects in mason jars under her bed, but the latest one she finds has her stumped, especially when it melts holes in its jar and then the window screen to escape. Ruby posts pictures online and asks for help identifying the bug, but the pictures are deleted, and several White men calling themselves “agents” show up asking questions. They claim to have captured the bug, but strange things occur, including metal thefts. The town’s recluse goes missing, and on a Discord channel, Ruby picks up chatter about aliens and government coverups. In an underlying story, tension escalates between Ruby and her White science teacher, who deems Ruby’s proposed science fair project too ambitious and tries to punish her for not agreeing to an easier project. Luckily, Ruby’s parents, the principal, and her former science teacher have her back. Ruby, with the help of her friends, applies the scientific method and figures out what’s going on. Bradford challenges readers to keep up with Ruby to solve this intriguing and absorbing mystery. Bradford also addresses, with sensitivity and nuance, the ways in which Black students are marginalized in STEM fields. The author depicts a tightly knit, supportive community of color, where kids roam freely and an older neighbor is always outside to keep an eye on things.
A page-turning mix of science, science fiction, and mystery that will empower readers to pursue their own STEM passions. (Fiction. 9-12)
Product Details
| BN ID: | 2940175007221 |
|---|---|
| Publisher: | Recorded Books, LLC |
| Publication date: | 09/27/2022 |
| Series: | Ruby Finley , #1 |
| Edition description: | Unabridged |
| Age Range: | 8 - 11 Years |
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