Ivy in the Shadows
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5.0 • 1 Rating
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- $11.99
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
After Ivy's stepfather disappears, Ivy's mama begins waitressing at Dining Divinely to make ends meet. She also takes in a boarder—twelve-year-old Caleb, who's the same age as Ivy and is the weirdest guy she's ever met. With Mama working full-time, Ivy has to babysit her little brother, JJ. She also has to fend off the nosy Pastor Harold; stop Caleb from filling JJ's head with lies; and keep her best friend, Ellen, from knowing anything about her embarrassing situation at home.
Ivy has always found out all she needs to know by lurking in the shadows (some might call it "eavesdropping"). But as things at home become more complicated, she learns to step into the light and not only listen but speak up, in Ivy in the Shadows by Chris Woodworth.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
When 12-year-old Ivy's stepfather abandons the family, leaving them with no source of income, her mother is forced to take in a boarder, Caleb, a boy in Ivy's grade she doesn't know very well. Caleb's family is moving several hours away, but they want him to finish the school year before joining them. It's bad enough that Ivy's younger brother worships Caleb and believes his stories about his time in Haiti (which Ivy is sure are lies), but having Caleb around also threatens Ivy's already precarious social life. Ivy also loves listening in on her mother's phone calls with her best friend, Maureen, but when Maureen shows up to help out, Ivy feels even more edged out of her own home. Ivy is understandably upset by the changes in her life, lashing out (sometimes quite harshly) at both Caleb and her mother. Her attitude may put off some readers, but they will understand where she's coming from. Woodworth (Georgie's Moon) also interweaves poignant details about the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, adding additional depth to the story. Ages 8 12.
Customer Reviews
Fun and inspired
Having spent fourteen years as a Children's librarian I learned what types of stories appeal to my students. This book will definitely be a very popular title. I recommend it to anyone but I think it will especially appeal to 4th through 6th grade students. Do yourself a favor and download another great Chris Woodworth book, "Georgie's Moon".