I enjoyed this book!  The story line is especially well-developed for a young juvenile novel, the sketch illustrations throughout are entertaining and expressive, and the characters are interesting and unique.  I also appreciated the Chinese-American culture woven into the story line through the main character’s family.  In this story, Ruby Lu’s family receives a shock when her Dad suddenly loses his job.  As so many families are experiencing in America with the down economy, the financial situation for the family is serious.  This is compounded by the fact that the family is currently hosting Ruby’s Aunt, Uncle and Cousin who have recently immigrated from China.  All the adults begin job hunts and the whole family assists in support.  Eventually Ruby’s Mom finds a job selling shoes at the mall and by the end, Dad is earning money as a handy man.  The other main storyline is that Ruby Lu’s recently adopted stray dog, Elvis, is reclaimed by his owner.  Ruby struggles with this disappointment but by the end realizes that her dog is happy back with his owner and is where he’s meant to be:  performing as a circus dog.  The owner invites Ruby and her family to the circus show and the book ends with Ruby being invited to ride the bicycle built for two with Elvis.