Winner of “In The Margins” Top Ten Best Books for Teens Award 2015, awarded to relevant books for our communities that validate, illuminate and humanize those living in the margins.

If you asked Ruby, she’d tell you she’s happy with her life.  She’s tough and independent and doesn’t depend on anyone else. The road that has led her here has not been easy, and she’s blocked a lot of it from her memory.

But things aren’t as rosy as she would have everyone believe, and the road ahead of her is filled not only with gangs, drugs, and depression, but other challenges that Ruby hasn’t even imagined.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️If I could rate a book 10 stars outta 5, I would… This book was absolutely amazing and I would go through everything I loved about it if I could, but that’s the thing—I loved EVERYTHING. Every single last detail… Definitely one of the best books I have EVER read. —Britt, Goodreads reviewer

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️I sure would love to see this book as a movie. Her stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find your self crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author. —Pamela, Goodreads reviewer 

As a member of the “In the Margins” book award for marginalized youth, I have had the opportunity to evaluate countless books for young adults and Workman’s books are some of the most popular. A number of her books have been nominated and the book Ruby Between the Cracks… made it to the top ten.

—You know it’s a great book when you have to keep reminding yourself that the characters are not real people.  I really cared about Ruby, and she gave me some bad moments.  I desperately hoped her story would have a happy ending.

— “Ruby” exposes the complex and brutal relationship between mental illness, poverty and abuse … a page turner I had to finish

— “Ruby” really put me through the wringer and I actually had to put it down a few times because I needed to return to reality … There was no chance I was going to stop reading until I knew how the story ended! … I seriously can’t wait for book two!

— The Between the Cracks books have been absolutely AMAZING… as soon as I started to read “Ruby”, I just had to keep going.

— I wish I could forget the book Ruby and read it all over again.

— This book is utterly amazing, I find myself having more empathy for children in these types of situations than ever before. My heart seriously yearns for them. I can’t put this book down.

— You are extremely good at making characters come to life and there certainly never is a dull moment in any of them! What a character is Ruby! A nightmare in any society, yet such an appealing character with extraordinary self-sufficiency. The dreadful things she felt impelled to do… and got away with!

“We are thrilled with the second year of this important work finding relevant books for our communities that validate, illuminate and humanize those living in the margins. We have a great list, bringing to national attention books that add to diversity in our collections and world,” said Amy Cheney, Chair of ITM. “The committee members and I are excited to share these books with you for those living and interested in the margins of society.”

– In the Margins Book Committee

…fans of Ellen Hopkins’s books will love the soap opera that is Ruby’s troubled life, including pregnancies, gang and drug involvement, and post-traumatic stress issues.

—Relevancy Trumps All for Reluctant Readers | YA Underground, School Library Journal

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“Every single one of [P.D. Workman’s] books has spoken to me … And I have found strength in the books I’ve read.”

“This is one author I certainly will be looking out for, I can’t recommend her enough.”

“I’ll read anything by P. D. Workman that I can get my hands on.”

“Every book by PD Workman that I’ve read has been a gripping one, however different the genres are, going from lighter mysteries to really dark ones… this is one of my favourite, most dependable authors.”

“P.D. Workman is an incredibly versatile writer. No matter which of her books I read I am drawn into a great story and honestly, I don’t think I’ve followed another author that could go from cozy mystery to YA to a PI series dealing with mental health issues. Really enjoy her books!”

“[P.D. Workman’s] stories are so believable and you can’t help but feel like you know these people. You find yourself crying, laughing and feeling the characters emotions. Now if an author can make you cry and feel every emotion in a story, she is one hell of an author.”

“P. D. Workman, does not shy from probing the deep psychological scars of childhood trauma, mental illness, and addiction. Also characteristic of this author, these extremely sensitive issues are explored with extensive empathy, described with incredible clarity, and portrayed with profound insight.”

“Once again P.D.Workman has created an intense psychological mystery that impacts a wallop of thought induction. The writing is so well developed and draws you into the characters story.”