Review: One of those hideous books where the mother dies

Bibliography:

Sones, Sonya. 2004. One of those hideous books where the mother dies. New York: Simon & Schuster. ISBN 0689858205

Plot Summary:

After the death of her mother, Ruby is forced to move to California to live with her estranged father, famous movie actor Whip Logan. Ruby struggles with the loss of her mother, the pain of separation from her best friend and boyfriend, and the stress of creating a new life in California. Although she develops a close relationship with her father’s gay “assistant”, Max, her father’s own attempts at reconciliation are met with resentment. They are, according to Ruby, “a decade-and-a-half too late.” A series of events, including a betrayal by her best friend, push Ruby to the breaking point. Her discovery of Whip’s homosexuality casts his perceived abandonment of her in a different light, and as he shelters her during a California earthquake, she is finally able to acknowledge his love for her.

Critical Review:

Ruby, the protagonist in Sonya Sones’ verse novel One of those hideous books where the mother dies, states at the beginning of the book, “I love to read/But my life better not turn out/to be like one of those hideous books/where the mother dies/and so the girl has to/go live with her absentee father/who turns out to be an alcoholic heroin addict…” These fears mark the start of Ruby’s journey, from the loss of her mother, to her new life in California with her estranged father.

The book is made up of a series of one to two page free verse poems or letters. Although a number of the poems could certainly be enjoyed on their own, the poetry generally functions as part of an overall narrative. Reading Ruby’s poems feels very much like reading a diary or journal; there is a deeply personal quality to the writing.

Some of the plot elements don’t always ring true (particularly the ending, with its earthquake climax and fairytale-like resolution), but the emotions of Ruby invariably do. Passages concerning her mother’s death are heart-wrenching: “The tears surge to my eyes/swelling and stinging like salty waves./But I don’t cry./I never do anymore./Not since Mom./I guess I must have used up/my entire lifetime supply of tears/on the night she died.” Ruby’s struggle with issues of loss and belonging will likely resonate with teens, and when Ruby finally finds her tears, many readers will, as well. Sones has created a moving and humorous account of one girl’s journey from grief to hope.

Review Excerpts:

“It is true that the mother dies, but this hilarious and painfully real novel in verse and letters is anything but hideous.”– Voice of Youth Advocates (October 1, 2004)

“This is not just another one of those gimmicky novels written in poetry. It's solid and well written, and Sones has a lot to say about the importance of carefully assessing people and situations and about opening the door to one's own happiness.” – School Library Journal (August 1, 2004)

“A satisfying, moving novel that will be a winner for both eager and reluctant readers.” – Booklist (May 1, 2004)

Connections:

Read Sonya Sones other verse novels, including What My Mother Doesn’t Know, and What My Girlfriend Doesn’t Know

Read verse novels by other authors, such as Ellen Hopkins and Steven Herrick and compare writing styles, characters, and subject matter.

Students can create a playlist for one of the characters in the book. What songs would that character choose for his/her “mix tape”? Students can create cover art, tracklisting, and, if possible, create the actual CD.

Students could create a collage representing one of the characters. Choose objects or images that in some way represent who that character is and what his/her conflicts are.