20. Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen

Lock and Key by Sarah Dessen
ISBN: 9780670010882
Viking, New York, 2008
422 pages

Teaser: Ruby is only 17 when the social worker finds her living alone in the little yellow house. Her rich sister Cora and her husband are contacted and take Ruby to live with them and struggles to live in a world that she has never know and doesn’t know that she likes. In the end, Ruby is fundamental in saving Nate, who is being physically abused by his father.

Summary: There was a lot of symbolism in the book, that came full circle from Ruby being saved from her hopeless situation, to Ruby helping a friend, Nate, who is being physically abused by his father and doesn’t know what to do but cope the best he can. Each of them ends up with a savior in the family, who takes them in and takes them from poverty to wealth. Ruby searches for her father and her older sister is able to fill what life was really like when their father left their mother. Ruby and Nate each learn to let go of their mandated self reliance to trusting others and acceptance of perseverance to move up and out of their sorrow. Ruby is finally able to throw away the key to the little yellow house and some of the negative memories that it held.

Evaluation: I liked the book, but found it a pit predictable in rags from riches theme. I think it would have been better if there were still more struggle and real life outcomes, rather than life is good, my sister will bail me out and now I can afford anything I want. The search for the lost father was also a bit predictable and if he was such a good guy, why did he leave an alcoholic mother with young children and not keep in contact?

Challenge issues and age recommendation: The book deals with alcoholism, physical abuse, neglect, stealing and blended social problems. I would recommend this book for readers 13 and up.