Ruby in the Ruins, by Shirley Hughes. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2018. $21.99 ages 7 and up

"It was very crowded.

Ruby hardly recognized the big
sunburned man who got off the
train with all the other soldiers,
shouldering his heavy duffel bag   
and waving to them. Mum ran
forward and flung herself into
his arms. Ruby hung back, feeling very shy. She did not know what to say when he stooped down to kiss her."

The London Blitz is still a concept hard to grip when only hearing about it. To have lived through it was quite miraculous for many Londoners and their families. As she has done so often in her wonderful stories, Shirley Hughes shines a light on one young girl named Ruby in 1945 in London.

Ruby and her mother have survived the horrors of World War II together. Ruby's father was not with them; he was off fighting in the war. As they pass men working to clear the rubble left following all the bombing, they cannot help but remember the many terrifying days and nights they spent as the bombs dropped and the war raged on. Mum refused to leave their home, wanting to be there if Ruby's dad returned on leave. She tried to send Ruby to safety. Ruby needed to be with her mother.

"Then came the terrifying explosions, some quite nearby,
making their little house shake.
Mum hated going down to the cold,
crowded, smelly air-raid shelter.
So, night after night, she and Ruby
clung together in the big double bed,
covering their ears and praying
for the all-clear to sound
at dawn."

Victory brings celebration. Neighborhoods rejoice, and soldiers come home. Ruby and her mum set off to the station to welcome her dad back. Everything at home changes with his return, and Ruby must make adjustments to a new bedroom and another person in their small home. The newness of their fathers' return is felt by her friends as well. Wanting to distract themselves from life at home, Jimmy and Len invite Ruby to join them on their visits to the bombed-out areas in the neighborhood. Ruby's unexpected fall and resultant injury is cause for concern. Help is enlisted, and brings a welcome surprise.

Using ink, watercolor, gouache, and the authenticity of her own wartime memories, Shirley Hughes has created a classic tale that will help children today understand more about that time in England.
The book's design is wonderful, and offers many chances for discussion as it is read. Appealing for its setting and expressive characters, she handles the many difficulties of wartime with compassion and shows young readers both the joys and sorrows of a very challenging time. It is an exceptional story about a young girl and her family as they experience troublesome times.