One of those "couldn't put down" novels with diverse, wonderful characters. I loved Ruby Moon Hayes (painfully shy, courageous), Ahmad Saleem (loyal, honest, spiritual, courageous), and Abigail Jacobs (highly intelligent, spiritual, courageous). Themes of courage, diversity, science, strong women, immigrants, grief, small-mindedness & prejudice, nature's healing, friendship, and community. Don't miss the Author's Note on Ficitional Lunar Eclipses in This Story. ( )

Ruby and her mother Dahlia have moved to Vermont to their latest “forever home.” Ruby longs to return to Washington DC where their real forever home was. She also knows how make herself less visible to others, being as inconspicuous as possible. But in a small town, not much is missed; Ruby is the subject of snarky remarks by the mayor’s daughter and her teacher Mr. Andrews encourages Ruby to use her voice in class because he knows she has something to say. Abigail Jacobs, the old woman who lives in a shed near Ruby’s home is even more invisible yet visible to the townspeople. Rumors fly about the deaths of her husband and daughter, and how weird she is. Ruby and Abigail become friends of sorts although Abigail never lets Ruby get too close. In the end both bring each other out of the shadows. A positive intergenerational story about discovering the layers in each other. ( )