Saplings follows Ruby Finch, a 9 year old Oakenwood Scout who just moved up to the Sapling level. Saplings finally get to earn badges and Ruby can’t wait to fill her vest with them!
In every book Ruby tries to earn a specific badge, but through a series of unexpected events, she falls short. However, through hard work, honesty, and creativity, she always ends up with a different and sometimes even better one!
Ruby loves being a Sapling and wants to be a model scout! She is eager to earn badges but hasn’t found a task more interesting than reading comic books or playing with her guinea pig, Winnie. Ruby can be overly dramatic, easily distracted, and a little disorganized. Despite her mismatched socks and forgotten snacks, when she sets her mind to something she works really hard to try and get it.
If it’s slimy, creepy crawly, or goes buzz, June wants to know all about it! She wants to be a wildlife researcher when she grows up so she is always scribbling down observations in her field notebook.
Oscar can’t wait for snack time…and lunch…and dinner! Actually, he’s really thinking about dessert because that’s where his skills really shine. He loves experimenting with flavors and bringing treats to his friends who are always happy to be taste testers.
Nora is always on the move! If she’s not kicking a ball, she’s up to bat or leading her friends on a hike. She is usually team captain, not just because she’s the best player, but because she loves cheering on her teammates.
WHAT’S NEXT?
Berry Bash
Ruby wants to win the badge for picking the most wild blueberries. She spends all day filling up her basket only to trip and smash them all. Luckily, Oscar is there and helps her turn her smashed berries into a pie. Ruby then convinces all the other Saplings to turn their berries into sweet treats so they can hold a bake sale and raise money for a local cause. She earns a badge for fundraising instead.
Community Garden
The Saplings are spending time at their community garden. Ruby wants to win the badge for the biggest tomato. After working hard tilling the soil and planting the seeds, she learns she has to wait weeks before she’ll see her tomato! Ruby overhears the head gardener mention that there are people who could use the vegetables but aren’t able to make it to the garden. She volunteers to deliver veggies on her scooter. Ruby loses interest in growing her own tomatoes but loves delivering vegetables! There are too many houses for her to deliver to herself so she gathers the other Saplings and creates a delivery system so everyone in the neighborhood gets garden vegetables. She earns a badge for helping people instead.
