Family Book Discussion

Join us for a thoughtful book discussion centered on the power of community through the pages of Love, Ruby Lavender by Deborah Wiles and What Is Given from the Heart by Patricia C. McKissack. Together, we will discuss your thoughts and reflections on these stories and the ways neighbors, friends, and shared traditions shape how people care for one another and grow through life’s challenges.

In Love, Ruby Lavender, Ruby lives in a small Southern town where everyday life is woven together through close relationships and familiar faces. Ruby’s deep bond with her grandmother, Miss Eula, gives her comfort and confidence. When Miss Eula leaves town for a visit, Ruby must navigate her days without her biggest supporter. Along the way, Ruby learns that the people around her, including friends, neighbors, and even those she does not always agree with, play an important role in helping her feel seen, supported, and connected. The story shows how community can provide strength, encouragement, and understanding, especially when someone feels alone.

In What Is Given from the Heart, young James Otis is grieving the loss of his mother. When his church community organizes a Christmas drive to help a family in need, James Otis initially struggles with the idea of giving away something precious. Through the guidance of his father and the example of those around him, he begins to understand that community is built through compassion, generosity, and shared responsibility. The story highlights how people can lift one another up in difficult times and how even small acts of kindness can strengthen the bonds that hold a community together.

Through Ruby’s journey of connection and James Otis’s discovery of empathy and generosity, these stories remind us that community is more than a place. It is the people who care for one another, share in each other’s struggles, and give from the heart. Join us as we reflect on the ways communities shape our lives and the meaningful ways we can support one another.

Copies of both books are available to check out from the library, and they are also available in different formats through the digital apps Libby and hoopla, making it easy to read or listen in the way that works best for you.