Girls Like Her

Gr 10 Up–Ruby Monroe is in a Dallas jail, the alleged killer of a beloved local millionaire, Eric Hanson. Even though she is only 15 years old, she will be tried as an adult for capital murder. Ruby’s only hope for not spending life in prison is to tell the story of her childhood and the events that led up to Eric’s death. Sumrow shares Ruby’s story through a collection of letters, court transcripts, and articles interspersed with a narrative of Ruby’s visits with Cadence, her social worker, while she awaits trial. Her life is a heartbreaking story of child abuse, family drug addiction, and sex trafficking, and the teen’s anger and fear is palpable. And, while her attitude can make it hard for readers to connect with her, it is very hard not to sympathize with Ruby upon learning all the things she has suffered. The court transcripts help keep readers hooked with a desire to find out Ruby’s side of the story, and what the verdict of the trial will be. Ruby is white.