Bibliographic-
Ruby, Laura. Bone Gap. Blazer + Bray, 2015. ISBN 978-0-06-231760-5
Summary/ Critical Analysis-
Bone Gap is a fascinating blend of contemporary fiction, woven with magical realism,
with a dash of pure fantasy, and a mysterious kidnapping as its driving plot line. In short,
this book has everything!
18 year old Finn lives in the small town of Bone Gap, Illinois and witnesses the kidnapping
of his friend Roza (who is also a bit mysterious) but Finn cannot identify the man who took
her. We get alternating viewpoints from Finn, Roza, and other citizens that unfold the
mystery and background as the story progresses. There are moments when the characters
and the reader question what is real, imagined, or a mix of both. The characters are well
developed and have unique voices; each experience the magic of the town differently.
Finn’s love interest, Petey, discovers that Finn has face blindness and that is why he does
not look people in the eye (earning him nicknames like Spaceman and Moonface) and also
why he could never adequately describe who kidnapped Roza. Once Finn realizes this, he
adventures into the “strange gaps” in the town to rescue Roza; overcoming his disorder in
his own way and redeeming himself in the eyes of the town.
Ultimately this is a story of growing up, learning about love, friendship, and overcoming the
obstacles of the real and magical worlds. Laura Ruby blends fairytale and fable elements
with common YA elements like romance and growing up to create something very unique and
exciting.
Bone Gap is a fascinating blend of contemporary fiction, woven with magical realism,
with a dash of pure fantasy, and a mysterious kidnapping as its driving plot line. In short,
this book has everything!
18 year old Finn lives in the small town of Bone Gap, Illinois and witnesses the kidnapping
of his friend Roza (who is also a bit mysterious) but Finn cannot identify the man who took
her. We get alternating viewpoints from Finn, Roza, and other citizens that unfold the
mystery and background as the story progresses. There are moments when the characters
and the reader question what is real, imagined, or a mix of both. The characters are well
developed and have unique voices; each experience the magic of the town differently.
Finn’s love interest, Petey, discovers that Finn has face blindness and that is why he does
not look people in the eye (earning him nicknames like Spaceman and Moonface) and also
why he could never adequately describe who kidnapped Roza. Once Finn realizes this, he
adventures into the “strange gaps” in the town to rescue Roza; overcoming his disorder in
his own way and redeeming himself in the eyes of the town.
Ultimately this is a story of growing up, learning about love, friendship, and overcoming the
obstacles of the real and magical worlds. Laura Ruby blends fairytale and fable elements
with common YA elements like romance and growing up to create something very unique and
exciting.
Awards and Review Excerpts-
Printz Award Winner
National Book Award Finalist
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
CCBC Choices Book
“..in Ruby's refined and delicately crafty hand, reality and fantasy don't fall neatly into place.
She compellingly muddles the two together right through to the end. Even then, after she
reveals many secrets, magic still seems to linger in the real parts of Bone Gap, and the
magical elements retain their frightening reality. Wonder, beauty, imperfection, cruelty,
love, and pain are all inextricably linked but bewitchingly so.”--Sarah Hunter, Booklist 2015.
She compellingly muddles the two together right through to the end. Even then, after she
reveals many secrets, magic still seems to linger in the real parts of Bone Gap, and the
magical elements retain their frightening reality. Wonder, beauty, imperfection, cruelty,
love, and pain are all inextricably linked but bewitchingly so.”--Sarah Hunter, Booklist 2015.
“Told from the viewpoints of multiple Bone Gap citizens, this inventive modern fable
whimsically combines elements of folklore, mythology, romance and feminism.”
whimsically combines elements of folklore, mythology, romance and feminism.”
-- Kirkus Reviews 2015.
Connections-
Other books by Laura Ruby:
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