Bibliography
Ruby, Laura. 2015. Bone Gap. New York: Balzer + Bray. ISBN 9780062317629 Plot Summary When Roza disappears just as mysteriously as she arrived, the people of Bone Gap are not surprised. Finn, however, knows the truth. He knows that Roza was taken by a dangerous man with a face he can’t remember. It is up to Finn to find and save Roza, before it’s too late. Laura Ruby seamlessly blends elements of contemporary realistic fiction and fantasy in this mesmerizing and beautiful novel. Critical Analysis Finn, better known as Spaceman, Sidetrack, Moonface, Pretty Boy, Loner, and Dude, is the kind of character readers of all ages can relate to. As Finn navigates through the loss of Roza and his attempts to find her, he must also deal with an aloof older brother, writing college essays, and finding love for the first time. As the story progresses, Finn’s characterization grows and you find yourself rooting for him, even as fantastical things happen that cannot be explained. Finn speaks like a teenager, acts like a teenager, loves like a teenager, and has a tenacity that draws the reader to him. Another characteristic of Finn that stands out is his inability to recognize faces. This plays a major role in the disappearance and hunt for Roza. Finn is not the only engaging character in the story. Roza, whose story unfolds in the chapters she narrates, is so full of emotion and strength. Her character plays an important part in Finn’s discovery of his own strength and in the repair of his relationship with his brother. Petey, the bee charmer, is Finn’s first love, who helps him discover what makes him different than the others. Even the crazy townsfolk, Charlie Valentine, Finn’s friend Miguel, the Rude brothers, and Petey’s mother, create a memorable cast of characters that elevate the story and make it that much more memorable. Bone Gap is a small town full of “talking” corn (at least Finn and Miguel think so), mysterious gaps in reality, and gossipy residents. It is much like any small town initially, as Finn deals with normal teenage angst, including the Rude brothers, five of them, who like to beat him up. Anyone who grew up in a small town will quickly make connections to people they knew, but all readers will recognize the setting and its importance as the story delves into the realm of fantasy. Where Bone Gap differs from other current fiction is in its blending of realistic fiction and fantasy. While most of the story is contemporary and realistic, as Finn dives into the journey of finding the missing Roza, fantasy elements are seamlessly blended into the story line. What is most amazing about this blending is that, as the reader, the transition between reality and fantasy is so smooth, you do not even question what is happening. From the appearance of the horse and goat in the barn, to Roza’s experiences in captivity, to Finn’s encounter with the dangerous man as he attempts to rescue Roza, reality and fantasy blend so well, it only adds to the plot of the story. The theme of Bone Gap is two fold. Finn begins to understand who he truly is and accept himself. He, and several of the other characters, also finally find where they belong, another strong motif in young adult fiction. A thematic characteristic of this novel that stood out to me was that all of the characters experience these two themes in their own unique ways. For example, Petey, Finn’s love interest, finally begins to see that she is beautiful and that with Finn she will always have a place to belong. Likewise, Roza discovers that she is strong in ways she didn’t know and that she has a home and safe haven with Finn and Sean. The themes are strong, and well written into the storyline. Ruby’s use of varying story perspectives gives the reader a multi-dimensional look at the story. Although most of the story is told through Finn’s perspective, Roza and Petey, also get in on the action of sharing their perspective and experience in the plot line. Even with the changing point of view, the story does not get overloaded, it only accentuates the development of the story. There is also a nice balance between Finn’s male perspective and the female perspectives of Roza and Petey. One of the most important factors in this story is that, after Finn completes his journey, there is a happy ending for all of the characters. Bone Gap definitely stands out as a blended genre novel that will engage readers of all ages and satisfy them with a wonderful story. Response Bone Gap is by far my favorite work of young adult fiction this year. I became so engrossed in the characters’ lives and challenges, I had difficulty putting it down. I still think about this book everyday and use it as a marker for judging other young adult books! One of my favorite elements of the story was the development of the relationship between Finn and Petey. Writing haikus, discovering other-worldly places, and each other, their relationship draws on the feelings any reader had the first time they fell in love. Another element of Bone Gap that I found incredibly interesting was Finn’s condition, prosopagnosia, or face blindness. This is something I had never heard of, but, of course, is very real. Its effect on Finn throughout his life, and throughout the story, is incredible, interesting, and eye-opening. Overall, this is one book that will remain on my booktalk and recommended shelf for a long time to come! Honors 2016 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature National Book Award Finalist Reviews "One part magical realism and two parts fantasy, Bone Gap is a story of whispering corn, buzzing bees, and glimpses of magic in parallel universes...Like in so many classic small-town stories, the town of Bone Gap becomes an integral character. Its collective judgment influences each main character; its magic is both the question and the answer to this very complex, emotional puzzle...The real magic in Bone Gap is the discovery of love, an idea many stories misrepresent but Bone Gap explores with the utmost honesty and truth." —Voya, starred review "It is a rare book that sits comfortably on the shelf with the works of Twain, McCullers, Conroy, Stephen King, and D'Aulaires' Greek Myths—rarer still that a novel combines elements of these authors together. Bone Gap does just this, to superb effect. We start with a boy named Finn and his brother, Sean. Sean is the classic hero: strong, silent, great at everything he does. Finn is a pretty boy whose otherworldly goofiness has earned him the nicknames Spaceman, Sidetrack, and Moonface. Along comes Roza, a beautiful and damaged young woman, fleeing from some unknown evil. When she disappears, only Finn witnesses her abduction and he is unable to describe her captor. He is also unsure whether she left by force or choice. The author defies readers' expectations at every turn. In this world, the evidence of one's senses counts for little; appearances, even less. Heroism isn't born of muscle, competence, and desire, but of the ability to look beyond the surface and embrace otherworldliness and kindred spirits. Sex happens, but almost incidentally. Evil happens, embodied in a timeless, nameless horror that survives on the mere idea of beauty. Ruby's novel deserves to be read and reread. It is powerful, beautiful, extraordinary." —Nina Sachs, School Library Journal "Bone Gap marks Laura Ruby as one of fiction's most original voices. She is capable of moving you to tears, terrifying you on deep and dream-like levels, and making your heart shout with happiness. This book is magic realism at its most magical." --E. Lockhart, author of The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks and We Were Liars "Ruby's enigmatic novel weaves together the brutal realism of small-town cruelties and sexual violence with the best kind of dreamlike folk magic, inflecting the hard parts with fairy tale softness...and shimmering, hopeful mysticism. With rich characters, captivating world building, and a stunning secret at its heart, Bone Gap is utterly bewitching." —Booklist, starred review Connections Other Blended Genre Young Adult Titles:
Other Young Adult Titles by Laura Ruby:
Bone Gap Book Trailer
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AuthorMy name is Mrs. Scott and I'm a secondary Media Resource Specialist (librarian) in Texas. This blog was created as part of my graduate coursework at Texas Woman's University. All reviews and opinions are my own.
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