Emma and the Ruby Ring

When Emma overhears other people calling her selfish and difficult, she makes a wish while wearing her cousin's ruby ring which has the power to grant two wishes to its wearer. Emma is then whisked a way from her home in 19th Century Ireland to the gates of a workhouse and a starving mob clamoring for admittance. Emma is befriended by Sally and Maria, and with the two sisters manages to escape to Moylough Castle and find work as a scullery maid. But her new friends need her help so although Emma would prefer to go home, she must stay in order to fulfill a promise and unravel the secrets of the castle. Yvonne MacGrory's Emma And The Ruby Ring is a wonderfully written novel and enhanced for young readers with black-and-white sketches by Terry Myler. Also very highly recommended is Yvonne MacGrory's previous novel, The Secret Of The Ruby Ring (0915943921, [$$$]).