SCHOOL VISITS

Ruth at the Ypsi Family Reads Celebration Ruth at the Ypsi Family Reads Celebration Ruth at the Ypsi Family Reads Celebration Ruth at the Ypsi Family Reads Celebration Ruth at the Ypsi Family Reads Celebration Ruth Behar visits her old elementary school, P.S. 117 Ruth Behar visits her old elementary school, P.S. 117 Ruth Behar visits her old elementary school, P.S. 117 Lucky Broken Girl student art Lucky Broken Girl student art Lucky Broken Girl student art Lucky Broken Girl student art Ruth in Kentucky with students Ruth in Kentucky with students Ruth in Kentucky with students Ruth in Kentucky with students Ruth in Kentucky with students Ruth in Kentucky with students Ruth Behar visits P.S. 321 in Brooklyn, NY Ruth Behar visits P.S. 321 in Brooklyn, NY Ruth’s Skype visit to Notre Dame Academy Book Club in NJ. Ruth Behar’s visit to Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami. Ruth Behar’s visit to Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami. Ruth Behar’s visit to Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami. Ruth Behar’s visit to Carrollton School of the Sacred Heart in Miami. She is grateful to have been welcomed into three schools in Salt Lake City: Meadowlark Elementary School, West High, and the McGillis School. At Camino Nuevo Character Academy in Los Angeles, she spoke to three sixth grade classes. She is grateful to have been welcomed into three schools in Salt Lake City: Meadowlark Elementary School, West High, and the McGillis School. At Camino Nuevo Character Academy in Los Angeles, she spoke to three sixth grade classes. She is grateful to have been welcomed into three schools in Salt Lake City: Meadowlark Elementary School, West High, and the McGillis School. At Camino Nuevo Character Academy in Los Angeles, she spoke to three sixth grade classes. She is grateful to have been welcomed into three schools in Salt Lake City: Meadowlark Elementary School, West High, and the McGillis School. At Camino Nuevo Character Academy in Los Angeles, she spoke to three sixth grade classes. Pictures courtesy of Eddy Ramirez, from Ruth’s visit to Camino Nuevo. Thank-You Notes from Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles. Pictures courtesy of Eddy Ramirez, from Ruth’s visit to Camino Nuevo. Thank-You Notes from Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles. Pictures courtesy of Eddy Ramirez, from Ruth’s visit to Camino Nuevo. Thank-You Notes from Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles. Pictures courtesy of Eddy Ramirez, from Ruth’s visit to Camino Nuevo. Thank-You Notes from Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles. Pictures courtesy of Eddy Ramirez, from Ruth’s visit to Camino Nuevo. Thank-You Notes from Camino Nuevo Charter Academy in Los Angeles.
Once very shy as a student, Ruth is a dynamic teacher and receives rave reviews for her warmhearted and lively school events. She has visited many schools both in person and virtually via Zoom. As an author of two middle grade novels as well as a debut picture book, she can present to a variety of audiences, from grades K-6. If you would like to invite Ruth to offer a school event, please reach out to her via email: ruthbeharauthor@gmail.com

Letters from Young Readers about Letters from Cuba

Dear Ruth,
My name is Ruby. We both have names that start with R. Before we read Letters from Cuba in school, I read Lucky Broken Girl on my own. I think that one of the things that make your books so wonderful is the feeling and emotion you portray through your characters. It makes it so much more easy to understand when you know what someone is thinking and feeling.

Dear Ruth,
So I like your book a lot. Letters from Cuba is very interesting! I actually don’t like reading but this book I read fast and I actually think it improved my reading skills. My mom even likes this book.

Dear Ruth,
Hi! I really enjoyed reading your book and I loved all the characters. I think it’s really cool that this book was based oof of a true story, because I never would have known without reading the Author’s note. I also like the way the book is written in letter format. You’re a very inspiring author, and you wrote some great books!

Dear Ruth Behar,
I thought your book was AMAZING! It was very interesting read about Esther’s life and African culture. I thought the part about the crying tree with chains was super cool! Will you write a sequel?

Dear Ruth,
We just finished reading Letters from Cuba. And it is now my new all time favorite book! I love this book because there is so much detail and it kind of pulls me in.Well, reading the book I felt like Esther, when I learned that she moving my heart sank. You are a amazing author! And I just hope I can read your other books!

Dear Ruth,
I really like the way Esther slowly explored the town, because then you can really tell what’s happening. I give a A++ because you made it a mix of realistic fiction and real life. I hope you keep writing!

Dear Ruth,
Your book is really good. I’m someone who has trouble reading but this book was more easier to understand. I was able to picture Ester’s change and can I just say “wow.” Please make a secual.

Dear Ruth,
I enjoyed your book. It was great. My family was in Hungary during the Holocaust, so it’s cool to hear about what happened to your family in Poland. I’m not a big reader beside soccer biographies but I loved yours. I play and practice soccer a lot, again loved your book.

Dear Ruth,
I really liked reading your book. I normally only like fantasy or realistic fiction books set a long time ago but I found your book very interesting. My favorite part of the book was the Passover seder. Will you write a sequel?

Dear Ruth Behar,
I really enjoyed the book because it’s non-fictionish. I think that’s the best type of book because part fiction makes the book more enjoyable.

Hello Ruth,
I just read your book, Letters from Cuba. It was AMAZING! You have to make a secuel. My favorite part of your book is when… I can’t decide. So I will give you three of my favorite parts. 1. Esther getting the watch from the couple. 2. When Esther gives her first dress to Manuela. 3. Francisco. Just Francisco.

Ruth first joined us to give a keynote speech at the annual writing awards assembly. Her words were inspirational and many students remained afterward to visit with her at the reception.  Soon, students were seeking out her work and Lucky Broken Girl quickly became a favorite.  As a result of this enthusiasm, we adopted the novel for the sixth grade English curriculum and Ruth began visiting the sixth grade classes to share her culture, her wisdom and her advice on the writing process. Her visits include music and art and a slide show of her life and culture.  Through her classroom visits, the students come to appreciate the celebration of culture and the power of written expression. By the end of class, Ruth is often surrounded by young students asking more questions and clamoring for selfies. A mainstay of our visiting writer series, she is a valuable teacher and mentor for our students.”
-Rebecca Randolph, Greenhills School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ruth Behar’s visit was a wonderful success in the eyes of educators and students. Ruth Behar is a gracious, kind, enthusiastic person who immediately got the attention of the students. On the day of the visit, grades 4 to 8 gathered in our auditorium to meet Dr. Behar.  They sat raptly as she talked about her life and her book. Many questions were asked that were clearly seeking to understand how it feels to be in a body cast or to have moved to a new home. Since the visit, many students have come to talk to me about Lucky Broken Girl, the talk, the music, and their thoughts about how they would react in similar situations. They have also told me about struggles in their own lives and the inspiration the book has given them.”
-Linda Lakshminarayanan, School Librarian, Emerson School, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ruth Behar not only has interesting stories to share, but she has a unique presence, even virtually, to feel like she is sitting comfortably at the table with the group. She brought out the curiosity and courage to ask questions from even our shyest of students. I was even asked as the students exited if we could do this every week.”
-Dawn Simpson, School Librarian, Down East Middle School, Smyrna, North Carolina

I am a 6th grade teacher at Cesar Chavez Elementary in Richmond, CA. As you already know, school has been challenging this year with COVID forcing distance learning. Students academic, social, and emotional growth are being deterred as a result of these difficult circumstances. To exacerbate this challenge, Cesar Chavez is a title 1 school, in one of the lowest income distracts in the state. The Chavez staff and its families continue to work hard to provide our kids with the education they need and deserve. What has been an uplifting classroom highlight in these difficult times is reading Lucky Broken Girl. For my students, who are all first or second generation Hispanic American immigrants, it is rare for them to access literature that is culturally relevant to their own lives. Reading an award-winning book about a main character and a family that shares so many of their same experiences has been so powerful for my students. It is a highlight of my day to see their faces light up when it’s time to dive into this book. Lucky Broken Girl has been a key part of their academic, social, and emotional growth this year.” After the virtual visit: “Thank you so much again for your time. It was truly a bright spot in an especially tough year for my students and their families. The kids were giddy the rest of day and are still so honored that you would take the time to come and talk with them.”
-Joseph Pickering, Sixth Grade Teacher, Cesar Chavez Elementary, Richmond, California