Lucky Broken Girl

Behar, R. (2017). Lucky broken girl. New York, NY: Puffin      Books.

Ruthie has migrated from her beloved Cuba into the United States in search of freedom. Most migrant children are sent back a grade or are placed in a remedial class in order for them to “catch up.” Ruthie feels she has been placed in the class with the “bobos.” But, after spelling words correctly, her and her friend, Ramu, are given the opportunity to switch to the regular fifth grade class. Things are looking brighter for Ruthie’s family. Her dad got her the go-go boots she dreamed of owning; he also got himself his dream car: a blue Oldsmobile. They decide to visit old Cuban friends that just had a baby. On their way back home, darkness and tragedy obscure Ruthie’ dreams of wearing her new go-go boots and to be moved to the “smart” class. A tragic accident changes the family’s life; Ruthie is the one who suffers the most injuries. She is rushed to the hospital! She is  placed in a body cast to avoid her healthy leg growing more than her broken leg; her family is told she may be in this cast for six months. Unfortunately, the doctor cannot guarantee Ruthie will be able to walk again.  When she is at her lowest point and lays immobile on that lonely hospital bed, she prays to God and asks for mercy. Ruthie is released from the hospital, but is forced to depend on others. But, she still feels lucky because she didn’t end up paralyzed for the rest of her life like other victims in the car crash. She calls herself, “a lucky broken girl.”

Ruthie undergoes a spiritual transformation and begins to pray more when she didn’t before. Her friend Ramu pays her a quick visit and gifts her a chain with a Shiva pendant, and Indian god who dances to bring goodness to the world. Remi promises her that soon she, too, will soon have the ability to leave that cast and dance! Even though Ruthie is of a different faith, she prays to Shiva and asks him for help. She also prays to Frida Kahlo as Ruthie identifies with the Mexican artist who was paralyzed as well. Through her prayers, she experiences compassion, for she is able to forgive the young boys who caused the accident.

Her doctor, Dr. Friendlich, decides to remove her body cast, but puts a cast on her right leg. Ruthie is still not able to regain her “normal” life, for she has to relearn to walk. She must incorporate herself back into her old life.

One of her friends gifted her the black go-go boots Ruthie fell in love with the moment she saw them. The accident took so much from Ruthie. It took her hope, peace, the white go-go boots, and her dreams. But, even though Ruthie experienced a season on pain, loss, and discomfort, she saw the light in the middle of darkness through the support and love of her friends, tutor, and family. She slowly began to recover what the accident had taken away from her: her spot in the “smart” class, beautiful go-go boots, her gorgeous hair, and the ability to dance! Yes! Just like her friend, Ramu, had prophesied, Ruthie danced a tango.   

To give students some background knowledge prior to reading the book, teachers can do a mini lesson on Frida Kahlo. With the help of the librarian, students can research her life and accomplishments. After gathering their information, students can create a presentation using Prezi. Students can also research Cuba and the revolution to try to understand why Ruthie’s family felt the need to flee. After completing their investigation, students can compare and contrast life in Cuba and in the United States.

To help students make text to text connections, they can also read Good-bye, Havana!, Hola, New York! By Edié Colón. This book is about a little girl, Gabriella, who lives in Havanna but fleeing Castro and the Cuban revolution, moves with her parents to New York. She misses Cuba, but must do her best to make New York her new home.