Ruby and the Pen

After the traumatic loss of her father four years ago, twelve-year-old Ruby West is dealing with a dysfunctional relationship with her mother and the prospect of being sent away to boarding school. Her mother has had a long string of unpleasant boyfriends since her father's death, and David Sykes (whom Ruby has nicknamed Dodgy Dave) is no better. Ruby wants to talk about her father and remember him, but even this is denied her in her own home. She seeks refuge in art and draws caricatures of people she doesn't like as an outlet. After buying an antique pen from a mysterious stranger, Ruby's life changes for the better. Despite being bullied at her new boarding school, Ruby discovers she has a secret power. As long as she uses her pen to draw the picture, she can change the future. Ruby even makes friends at her new school. However when her problems become adult-sized, Ruby finds that the simple solutions she draws with her magic pen only make things worse. Magic cannot solve her own problems. More mature solutions are required, and that involves growing up and working as a team with the people around her.