Ruby's Wish by Shirin Yim Bridges

Illustrated by Sophie Blackall. 29 pages. Chronicle, 2002.

This is the true story of the author's grandmother, who was the granddaughter of a man who left China to join the California gold rush and returned to China wealthy. It was unusual at that time and place for girls to be allowed to go to school, but in this family, it was permitted. At the same time, though, while boys had no other responsibilities than school, girls were given household chores. While boys went to university, girls married and were sent to their husbands' families' homes. Ruby is a determined child who insists on wearing red every day, and is the only girl to persist in school, often staying up later than anyone else to fulfill all her responsibilities. She wants to go to university. Ruby is aware that girls are treated unfairly, and expresses this in a poem that comes to the attention of her grandfather. Just when she despairs, he gives her a special gift: a letter of admission to the university. This story offers encouragement to persist in following your dreams in spite of prejudice.

Ages: 5-9
Cultural Context: Asian