AUDIOBOOK
About
Nearly 1 in 5 American adults will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. 46 percent of Americans will meet the criteria for a mental health condition sometime in their life, and half of those people will develop conditions by the age of 14. Ruby Bean, a 12-year-old Accidental Expert on Missing Mothers, embarks on a cross-country journey with her Aunt to find her missing mother who suffers from mental illness and addiction. Along the way, Ruby discovers that sometimes the worst events can bring the best surprises into one's life.
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Reviews
"A candid performance like this one by Amanda Kelley occurs only once in a blue moon. Twelve-year old Ruby has a unique relationship with her mother, Ruthie, who has repeated episodes of disappearing due to mental illness. Aided by her loving aunt, Ruby is yet again on a quest to find Ruthie. Kelley narrates Ruby's steadfast determination to find her mother and her clever observations about her experiences with homeless people. A thread running through Ruby's story is her belief that every person matters. Kelley sensitively delivers all the story's grace, humor, and hope. Her performance may even be a conversation starter for families. The topic of mental illness is rare to find in middle-grade fiction. G.M. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award � AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine"
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