Ruby begins in the summer of 1965 as she takes us on a journey with the flamboyant and carefree Candace, her mother whose attempt at preventing Ruby the heartache of an unhappy marriage and unfulfilled dreams sends her spinning into her youth years with a future and a hope. Week-end outings to the theater, the beach, and expensive shopping trips opens the young girl to a life outside the abusive home. She sees that there is a world where life is good and dreams can come true. Unexpectedly the teenager finds herself alone. Her mantra, "Ruby dances in her dreams, Momma cooks and cleans and...

Hiro Plays Tiny Tim is book #4 in the Anna's Friends series of 8 illustrated books for the 3rd grade level, or age 8-10. (See The Assignment, Book #1 and Anna's Friends Save the Animal Shelter, Book #2, The Hayride #3). In book #4 we will follow Hiro through his journey of practicing for his role as Tiny Tim in the classic play, "A Christmas Carol" and how he overcomes the adversity of such an important role with his wit and humor. This fun excerpt shows us one of the fun traits of this child - teasing his friends: "Hiro had a rubber spider in his pocket just waiting for the right time and...