Ruby Goldberg’s Bright Idea

“Ten-year-old Ruby, invention queen, is named after the famous Rube Goldberg who made amazingly complicated machines that do really simple things. This year, Ruby wants nothing more than to get first place in the science fair. She is faced with a dilemma when she realizes she hasn’t got an idea good enough to win, and, when she finally thinks of one, she needs the help of her worst enemy to get it done. Soon, all of Ruby’s time is focused on her super secret invention while she shuts out everyone—from her grandfather to her best friend. Ruby is a fun character with a great heart. She learns a lesson about priorities and about being a good friend. The tale includes some history on the famous Goldberg’s life and inventions. This story, complemented by illustrations throughout, is great for kids interested in science.”
—School Library Journal

“Named for the inventor and cartoonist Rube Goldberg, Ruby is the youngest of a family whose members all enjoy science. Ruby, in addition to sharing the family trait, feels a strong sense of competitiveness both at home and in the classroom. She’s constantly thinking about or working out mechanical ideas, even when she should be paying attention in reading class or listening to her best friend’s personal worries. And sometimes she gets so obsessed with her ideas that she ends up hurting others’ feelings. But she stumbles on an opportunity to be cooperative when her archnemesis at the annual science fair has his project proposal rejected, and she enlists his help to build a newspaper-fetching Rube Goldberg machine for her grandfather, who is depressed after the death of his dog. Ruby, who is much like Ramona Quimby, tries very hard to be caring, even if she sometimes misses the point, and Humphrey capably manages to develop her character without allowing the story to become didactic.”
—Booklist