Lucky Broken Girl
Lucky Broken Girl by Ruth Behar is based on the author's childhood experiences as a Jewish-Cuban immigrant in the United States. As the story opens, Ruthie tells about being in a remedial class (which she calls the "dumb" class) because she does not speak enough English. She and her friend Ramu decide that they will show that they are smart enough to get out of the "dumb" class and into the regular class. Eventually, Ruthie is told that she will be moved out of the remedial class, along with Ramu. This is exciting news for Ruthie. She also receives a pair of go-go boots from her father and is a very happy little girl.
Her happiness is short-lived though because soon after her Papi buys a brand new blue Oldsmobile, the family is involved in a terrible car accident. A young boy, who was drunk, crashed into Ruthie's family while out driving with a group of his friends. The driver was killed and many people were injured, including Ruthie. Her leg was broken in several places and the doctor informs the family that it is best to immobilize Ruthie as she heals. She is put into a body cast that covers her from her feet to her chest and she is to stay in bed for months. The majority of the book is about Ruthie and her emotions as she is imprisoned in her bed. She is not able to attend school, so she is assigned a tutor named Joy that she describes as looking like a "hippie".
Ruthie is confined to her bed, using a bedpan when she needs to use the restroom, depending on her Mami for all her needs, and feeling depressed daily. She is also not allowed to eat regular portions in fear that she will get too big for her cast. She describes her daily routine with such sadness, loneliness, and hopelessness. Ruthie's mom is also dealing with stress and has a difficult time taking care of Ruthie daily. Eventually, Ruthie combines some ideas that she has learned about and begins praying to and writing letters to God, Shiva, and Frida Kahlo. While in bed, Ruthie begins to read and draw more. She enjoys visits from her grandparents and begins to write down the stories they tell about fleeing their homeland.
After many months, Ruthie's body cast is finally removed and she is sent home with crutches. Her legs, however, have become weak and she is afraid to walk. Amara, a nurse, begins to visit Ruthie to help her learn to walk again, but this does not go well at first. Ruthie is too afraid and it takes Amara being strict and forceful for Ruthie to finally take that first step.
Lucky Broken Girl is a book not only about a young girl's struggle after a tragedy but about how she endured and overcame hardships to become the writer she is today.
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