Lock and Key
Ruby hasn’t had much success with family. Her father left; her protective older sister, Cora, left; and her boozing mother finally leaves, too. Ruby is alone until Cora learns of her situation and swoops in. Suddenly, Ruby finds herself living with Cora and her wealthy brother-in-law, attending private school, and wondering just where she fits in. As in previous books, Dessen takes on a central theme—here the meaning of family—and spins many plots and subplots around it. Most prominent yet least successful is the thread about Cora’s relationship with boy-next-door Nate, who rescues her when she needs it, but has difficulty accepting Ruby’s help, tentative at first, when she discovers he’s being physically abused.
Target age group 12 and up
Target age group 12 and up
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CategoryYoung Adult Fiction
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Age Group15 and UP
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Grade Level9+
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LanguageEnglish
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BindingPaperback
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Theme 1Social, Personal & Family Topics
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Detailed (BISAC) Subject/ThemeGeneral
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AuthorDessen, Sarah
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Lexile Level840
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AR Level5.3
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DeweyFiction
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PublisherPenguin Group (USA)
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Publication Date5/1/2009
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Pages422
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Dimensions1.3 H x 8.3 L x 5.4 W
