Ruby Goldberg's Bright Idea

By Anna Humphrey, Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator)

A girl races to win a science fair, risking friendships and priorities.

5.5/7 Bookroo expert·3.8/5 Goodreads · 108 ratings

144 pages· 28,163 words· Est. 4 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Ten-year-old Ruby Goldberg is determined to win her school science fair, finally beating her rival Dominic. Inspired by her grandfather's loss, she creates a unique invention, but her obsession threatens her friendships and focus. As her project spirals into complexity, Ruby must balance her ambitions with her relationships. Can she find a way to succeed without losing what truly matters?

From the publisher

Ruby wants first prize at the fifth grade science fair–and she thinks her quirky, creative, Rube Goldberg-esque invention is just the way to get it! Ten-year-old Ruby Goldberg is determined to win her school science fair and beat her nemesis Dominic Robinson. She’s snagged second place for the last two years, and she’s set on claiming first prize. The only trouble is that Ruby has no ideas. When her grandfather’s beloved basset hound dies, Ruby thinks of the perfect thing that will cheer him up and win her first place–an innovative, state-of-the-art, not-to-be-duplicated Ruby Goldberg invention! Before long Ruby is so busy working on her idea that she ignores everything else in her life, including her best friend, Penny. And what started out as simple turns into something much more complicated! Can Ruby get her priorities–and the mechanisms of her project–in order before it’s too late?

At a glance

Format
Pages: 144
Words: 28,163
Reading age: 8–12
Audience: Middle Grade
Lexile: 850L

Themes & topics

Books about science Books about science fairs Books about friendship Books about grandpa Books about technology

After the last page

Talk about it together

Ruby wants to make a machine that will be useful to someone she loves. If you were to make a Rube Goldberg machine, what would you want it to do?

At first, Ruby doesn't want a partner for her project, but she realizes that strengths and help from someone else could benefit her project. Who around you has strengths different from your own, and when might it be a good idea to ask them for help?

What readers & critics say