The story of Ruby’s Wish is written by Shirin Yim Bridges. It talks about a little girl, Ruby, growing up in old China living in a very big house. His grandfather is a very rich man and he has many wives, children, and grandchildren. Although the girls in her family are allowed to learn reading and writing, they still need to learn how to do housework and take care of their future husband, and even marry soon at a young age, while boys can keep learning at university. Ruby thinks it is unfair to girls, even the little things such as the moon cake festival and lantern festival. Ruby stands up for herself and talks about the unfairness to her grandfather. During Chinese New Year, Ruby gets a red fat packet. Inside this packet, it is an acceptance letter from the university saying that Ruby will be their first female student.
All boys and girls should be treated fairly. In old China, boys and girls are treated differently. Boys are more valuable than girls. In the family, boys don’t need to do any housework. The only job for boys is to study hard and learn well, but girls need to learn all the housework for their future husbands. People in the old times thought girls were not so valuable. They think boys are more productive. This thinking is wrong and very unfair to the girls. In the world, there are many girls that are as valuable as boys and have great achievements, such as Helen Keller is the first deaf and blind person to earn a bachelor’s degree. It is unfair that boys and girls are treated with different standards. Everyone is born equal.
Sometimes people need to be brave in order to protect themselves or their rights. Without speaking up for themselves, the opportunity will disappear. When the grandfather asks Ruby if she really thinks in this house they only care for boys, Ruby bravely raises her voice to her grandfather and honestly says that there are many unfair things for girls, even though the grandfather might be upset. When we see things that are not fair happen to us, we should speak up for ourselves to protect our rights. Protecting rights does not mean arguing with others. Instead, we should talk with reasonable thoughts, just like Ruby is trying to reason with her grandfather. People should be brave to talk aloud their true thoughts about the unfairness so they can protect their rights even though that talking might upset others.
Getting an education brings many good things and changes one’s life. Girls should have the same opportunity of getting an education as boys. Ruby likes to learn. She never gives up learning even though she still needs to do a lot of housework. Her grandfather knows that she loves learning. On Chinese New Year, her grandfather gave Ruby a fat red packet. Inside is a letter from the university. Now Ruby has the same opportunity of getting an education as boys. It is very important for females to go to university. Once they have advanced education, they can learn a lot of skills and knowledge. Then they can find jobs and earn money. They don’t need to depend on males. They can become anything they want to be, like doctors, teachers, scientists, and other jobs. Females need to have an opportunity of getting an education as males, so they can show they have the ability just like males.
Everyone is equal. Girls should be treated fairly just like how boys are treated. Girls are as valuable as boys. They can even make big achievements. Girls have rights to do or have everything, but they have to be brave to speak up for themselves. Girls should have the same opportunity of learning just like boys. I recommend this book to everyone because the book teaches us to speak up for what they want to work hard to achieve it.
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