I was so pleased to receive an ARC of The Solomon Stone by Christine Sandgren! Ruby is a smart, gifted girl who knows how to take care of herself. When a long Lost Uncle arrives to reunite with her she gains more than just a family. Filled with hilarious observations, diamonds, adventure, and delicious New York City hot dogs, this book was a delight from start to finish. Just beware of guys dressed as cats! Hopefully, we all know someone in our life who is a little Ruby.2 s Fazela Bandukwala1 review

Once I started The Solomon Stone, I could not put this book down! This book is pure fun and magic.

In Ruby Callahan, Christine Sandgren has created a young heroine that is both spunky and smart, a little maddening and a lot reckless, but always lovable. When we meet Ruby, she is an orphan living on a small island in Hawaii. She's a stray though and a loner, going from one house to another. She doesn't know anything about who she is or where she came from. She does know that she is the best game tracker on the island (where the big tourist attraction is a game park for big trophy hunters), that she sees lines mapping things all around her, and that she is deathly afraid of the water. When her uncle finally discovers her whereabouts, she is whisked off to live in New York City with her grandmother and uncles. It turns out Ruby's family is very rich and very connected. But they are also eager to settle her into this new life filled with structure and rules, and the loss of freedom is not the least of Ruby's troubles.

All of the Callahans are "sighted"meaning they all have some supernatural gifts. But Ruby doesn't seem to have any special powers. Or at least, no one thinks she does. And she's not telling, which turns out to be a good thing because although her power is extremely rare and valuable, it can also put her in a lot of danger. When Ruby gets a hold of a diamond that belonged to her mother, she realizes that it amplifies her powers and that she could use it to find her parents (who have been missing for years). When the diamond gets stolen, Ruby and her new friends set out to get it back. What follows is an exciting, action packed adventure through subway tunnels and the streets of New York City that had me at the edge of my seat.

While the adventure is fast-paced and gripping, I especially loved that this book had so much heart. This story is as much about Ruby finding herself and discovering the value of friends and family, as it is about finding that diamond. The other characters in this book were also compelling and wonderfully written - especially Ruby's uncles and grandmother, and her friend Winston.

The Solomon Stone checked all my boxes for some seriously great story telling. I highly recommend it. The sequel cannot come soon enough!




1 Keira DominguezAuthor 6 books159

"Holy mother of all gutterballs."
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I got my hands on an ARC of The Solomon Stone, a debut novel by Christine Sandgren, which tells the story of a first-rate criminal mind stuck in the body of a 12yo girl. Ruby Callahan is abrasive, wary and skeptical of rules (Showering is optional, right?), but as she tries to make a home in New York City with affluent relatives she can't remember, she carries the baggage of insecurities and weaknesses as she tries to find her tribe.
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Filled with tense action scenes, The Solomon Stone has a fantastic magical system and a strong sense of place. As Ruby is navigating the subway tunnels, readers are right there with her.
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I particularly loved what a payoff it was to watch this tough nut learn to value her friends and family without compromising any of her toughness.
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Though this book doesn't release until November, you can pre-order now. ?????1 Andee522 4

Happy Book Birthday to The Solomon Stone and Christine Sandgren!

You will love the story of Ruby, a VERY independent tween who doesn't remember her parents or why she lives alone on a small Hawaiian island. When her uncle and grandmother arrive to whisk her back to New York, her life changes more than she can imagine. Does she have...magical powers?

The NYC setting is perfect as Ruby explores her identity, makes a new friend, and tries to find her parents. Is her family all they seem?

Highly recommend for fantasy and mystery lovers or anyone who wants a story about a strong female pre-teen.1 Rebecca805 6

This was a super fun read with plenty of action. It didn't let up for a minute. Ruby is a great character, resilient and brave, her outward toughness masking her inner pain over being abandoned and spending so many years without friends. I really enjoyed her interactions with her peers and watching them outwit the villains. This has the potential to be a great series. I'm looking forward to the next installment!1 Brooke2 1 follower

I loved diving into the world of Ruby and her family and friends! The magic in the world is so creative and unique to anything I have read before. The plot moved along and kept things interesting throughout but there was also real character development that tugs at your heart as well as you root for Ruby and the other people her life. I was ready to jump into the next book after finishing this, so Christine- get writing! 1 LitPick Book Reviews805 30

Ruby knows she isn’t normal. She has always been afraid of the water, despite living on an island. She doesn’t know who her parents are. She also sees lines that form a grid connecting her to everything and everyone around her. As far as she knows, Ruby has no living family members. So it is a shock when Ruby finds out that she has two uncles and a grandma who want to take care of her. Finally, she will be taken care of. But having someone understand her may be more dangerous than she ever thought. An odd diamond, the mystery of her missing parents, and suspicious family members teach Ruby that to survive, she must trust her newfound friends and discover who she truly is.

Opinion:
The Solomon Stone is one of the best books I have ever read. It has an amazing combination of adventure, emotion, and mystery. It is nearly impossible to put down. In Ruby, Christine Sandgren has created a funny and cheeky girl. Ruby’s attitude and manners are hilarious and quite accurate for a girl who has always taken care of herself. This book is great for ages 10-16. I recommend it to anyone who s mystery and magic.
Melissa Crow1 review2

Highly recommend this book for all fans of fast paced middle grade fiction. I also recommend this for people who enjoy books where smart kids take on the world. I enjoyed the ARC with my second and fourth graders. Ruby is a clever and relatable “loner” with a very unique talent. During her adventures, she learns how to trust, rely on others, and to keep evil at bay. While born with a super human gift, Ruby’s biggest asset is her ability to outsmart the adults around her. The story is tight and moves along quickly. My kids were highly invested in Ruby’s success and enjoyed the twists and turns in her adventures. When we finished, my kids literally screamed out “no, we need more!” We can’t wait for the next installment. While Ruby is a strong female lead, the series is definitely engaging for boys.

People who have enjoyed books the Mysterious Benedict Society, The Secret Keepers, Mr. Lemoncello’s Library, Savvy, Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes, Artemis Fowl or The Brixton Brothers will enjoy this book.
Maren617 1 follower

Writing middle grade fiction is a balancing act, keep it simple enough to read but complex enough to enjoy. Solomon Stone hits the mark. The chapters are short but action packed, there is a clear plot line but lots of overlaying points of interest to flesh out the history and build suspense. I thought some of the characters were a little awkward (Alice didn't act her age, what was with Ruby's hair sucking, Chloe was cliche). The ending was abrupt but clearly set up for the next book, and probably the right place to stop for middle grade. There were letters at the beginning of each section and then something at the end about codes, so I'm thinking that there is some fun puzzle for someone less old and tired than me to discover.

I received an ARC from the publisher. Naveed Bandukwala1 review

This book is the perfect escape from 2020! I was hooked from the very first chapter. Ruby, the main character, practically jumps off the page. She hits the sweet spot as a character who is bold but breakable, secretly trying to figure out who she really is even as she projects a fierce independence/self sufficiency to the world around her. The book is full of heart-pounding adventure and heart-warming friendships. The magic is intriguing and unique. The descriptions of New York City are fun and captivating, while the characters are so relatable that reading the book feels hanging out with friends, which was a welcomed reprieve from this lockdown. A great book for people who d Savvy, the Serafina series or Harry Potter. Chris Nord1 review

Judging if a book is great would entail that I couldn’t put it down and wanted to read into the night...that was this book! From the beginning I am captured by the main character and her boldness and unique personality. I was immediately wanting to know her entire story. I was captivated by her special ability and the power her family has. Ruby’s story is a mystery in the beginning and as it unfolds I just wanted to keep reading And connect all the missing pieces! This was such a good book! Children will love reading about Ruby’s Adventure and all the things she discovers about the family she didn’t know she had. I couldn’t put the book down. Well done! BB1 review

I sat down and read this in one night, and have read it many times since. The book is very well written, and quite a page turner. The story line is very creative and un any book that I have read. I’m not usually a fan of adventure, but the fast-paced, exciting, and unexpected scenes in the book were so much fun to read.

Ruby is such an interesting and able character, and I loved how she developed over the course of the book. I was silently rooting for her the whole time.

I really enjoyed reading this book. I highly recommend it to anyone, whether or not they adventure. I’m hoping for a sequel!
Jessica Taylor49 1 follower

I loved this book and couldn't put it down. I can't wait until the next book! My 11 year old daughter also loves it, great book for 8-12 year olds. Ruby is a strong and and smart character who learns about her powers and also that she can't do it all herself. Having grown up without a family, she also learns the joys and complexities of having a family who loves her. I also loved that it was completely clean and appropriate for kids. Afton Nelson957 26

A young girl with supernatural skills for real-world navigation has trouble navigating being part of a new family, friendships and living in a high rise apartment in NYC after years of feral living on a tropical island. A perfect combination of adventure and self discovery with an underdog main character who you can't help but root for.middle-grade amena8

This book hooked me right off the bat. Ruby is an independent, strong, smart character who is a great role model for elementary and middle-grade kids! The Solomon Stone is a fast paced, engaging book, that will definitely foster a love for reading in kids. This book is a modern Harry Potter book, full of tropes also found in Harry Potter. An adult figure who is not who he seems, our main character leaves a questionable, if not abusive living situation for a more suitable school and house, ostracized by the kids at home, dead parents, and our main character takes on a risky quest. One thing I d about this book was that it didn't shy away from the fact that the main character is a white person living Hawai'i. Though moments acknowledging this could have been handled better, I do think it will get young readers thinking and that's really important. Betsy1 review2

What a fun book to get lost in...for both myself and my preteen kids. I loved the bit of mystery that unfolds itself a little at a time, the fantastical powers we all wish we had, and well...candy corn! Grab this book, give it a read, and get ready to pass it on to friend after friend. Briona1 review

Seriously so good! I’m often disappointed with the shallowness and inaccuracies of books for younger audiences, but for this one I had nothing to complain about! Fast-paced, funny, and relatable. Loved it. Katie ProctorAuthor 11 books89

This one was super fun! Ruby is a strong, spunky character—I loved her right off. It’s full of secret magical identities, a stolen diamond, lots of adventure and family drama. middle-grade Dalton Haslam15 1 follower

Fun book. I mostly judge books on whether or not I can put them down, and this one definitely was a page turner. Highly recommend Catherine Oddenino8 1 follower

Super fun and quick read - hope there’s a sequel so we can follow more of Ruby’s adventures Lisa229

I loved the characters and clever story! Fun to read with my daughters! Julie Eyre41 5

Wonderful magical realism for kids. Main character is just complex enough to make it intriguing and inspiring for my daughter. Love the magic of New York City. Can’t wait for the next book. Juliebrogers1 review

Amazing read—my first cover to cover binge read since Harry Potter 7 came out! Refreshingly interesting story line woven with captivating language. Can’t wait for the sequel!! Andrew1 review

What a great book! This is a fast-paced adventure that never lets up. The thrilling ending chapters are nonstop action and had me on the edge of my seat. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Havalah Turner132 3

a fun middle grade read. Rani293 4

3.5 stars. Great debut novel! Fun read for middle grade/teens -I really enjoyed it as well. ya Stacey529 5

Really enjoyed this one! I usually only listen to books but I’m glad I made the time to sit down and actually read it. Clever storyline and I had a hard time putting it down once I started. Erin212

This was a fun, creative, and suspenseful read. I'm looking forward to the next book! Julie40 1 follower

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