Laura Ruby

Laura Ruby is an award-winning American author known for writing young adult and children's literature. Her most acclaimed work is "Bone Gap" (2015), which won the 2016 Michael L. Printz Award and was a finalist for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. Ruby has authored twelve books, including the York trilogy and "Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All." Her work often blends genres and incorporates elements of magical realism, mystery, and mythology, with "Bone Gap" being particularly noted for its unique approach to storytelling. As a faculty member at Hamline University, Ruby teaches in the low-residency MFA program in writing for children and young adults. She also conducts fantasy writing workshops for children's authors at Highlights. Her books have received significant recognition from the literary community, with seven Junior Library Guild selections among her works. Originally from New Jersey, Ruby currently resides in the Chicago metropolitan area where she continues to write and teach.

Readers appreciate Ruby's complex characters and ability to blend genres, particularly in YA novels like "Bone Gap" and "Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All." Many reviews highlight her skill at weaving magical realism with contemporary issues. Readers like: - Unique narrative structures - Atmospheric writing style - Treatment of serious themes - Strong female characters Common criticisms: - Pacing can be slow in first half of books - Some plots become too convoluted - Young adult themes can feel forced - Occasional confusing perspective shifts Average ratings: Goodreads: - Bone Gap: 3.8/5 (22,000+ ratings) - Thirteen Doorways: 3.9/5 (3,000+ ratings) - York series: 3.7/5 (4,000+ ratings) Amazon: - Bone Gap: 4.3/5 - Thirteen Doorways: 4.4/5 - York series: 4.2/5 One reader noted: "Ruby excels at creating unsettling moods but sometimes loses momentum in the middle sections." Another mentioned: "Her endings tie everything together but getting there requires patience."

Bone Gap - A magical realism novel set in a small Midwestern town, following a teenage boy who witnessed the disappearance of a young woman but cannot remember the kidnapper's face.

Thirteen Doorways, Wolves Behind Them All - A historical ghost story set in 1940s Chicago about an orphaned girl named Pearl and the spirit watching over her during World War II.

York: The Shadow Cipher - First book in a middle-grade trilogy about twins who attempt to solve an elaborate puzzle built into the architecture of an alternate version of New York City.

York: The Clockwork Ghost - Second installment in the York series where the twins continue their quest while uncovering more secrets about their city's mysterious past.

York: The Map of Stars - Final book in the York trilogy where the twins race to complete the cipher before their beloved city is altered forever.

Bad Apple - A contemporary young adult novel about a high school student dealing with rumors and scandal after an innocent encounter with a teacher is misconstrued.

Play Me - A young adult novel following a teenage girl who discovers her talent for poker while navigating complicated relationships.

Good Girls - A story about a high school junior whose private photo goes viral, forcing her to confront issues of privacy and reputation in the digital age.

Nova Ren Suma writes YA novels that merge reality with supernatural elements and explore complex female relationships. Her books "The Walls Around Us" and "A Room Away from the Wolves" demonstrate her focus on unreliable narrators and psychological depth.

Maggie Stiefvater combines folklore with contemporary settings in her YA fiction and creates intricate plot structures. Her works like "The Raven Boys" and "The Scorpio Races" showcase her ability to weave mythology into modern narratives.

A.S. King writes YA fiction that breaks conventional storytelling rules and incorporates magical realism into contemporary stories. Her books "Please Ignore Vera Dietz" and "Ask the Passengers" examine complex family dynamics and social issues through a surreal lens.

Francesca Lia Block creates stories that blend fairy tales, mythology, and modern urban settings with lyrical prose. Her Weetzie Bat series and standalone novels demonstrate her ability to merge magical elements with realistic teenage experiences.

Kelly Link writes short stories and novels that combine fantasy elements with literary fiction techniques and unexpected plot turns. Her collections "Pretty Monsters" and "Get in Trouble" showcase her ability to create narratives that defy genre conventions.