Summary
Faith, Hope and Ivy June is another book in our Scholastic Book Fair this year. It is the story of two girls, Ivy June and Catherine, who live in Kentucky and participate in an exchange program. For two weeks, Ivy June lives with Catherine and her family in Lexington. She goes to Catherine's private school, meets Catherine's friends and sees what life is like in the city. Then Catherine lives with Ivy June for two weeks in rural Kentucky where Ivy June lives in the mountains (no cell service) with her grandparents (there wasn't enough room for her at her parents house) in a house without indoor plumbing.
The point of the exchange program is for the girls to explore their assumptions and prejudices about one another because of where and how they live. Each girl keeps a journal where she writes honestly about those assumptions and their experiences during the exchange.
While Catherine is at Ivy June's each of the girls experiences a personal tragedy. Have they learned enough about one another - and about themselves - during the exchange program to help one another through such a difficult time?
Review
I really enjoyed this story. Ivy June is a great character. I love her approach to the exchange experience - especially how she deals with Catherine's step-grandmother! The journal entries are a nice way to show what the girls are thinking. I like that the author added some strife between the two girls at spots during the exchange and before the climax. It felt natural coming from what the reader knows about the girls and their personalities.
Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is the author of Shiloh and other books for tweens. I shared the book with my students and one said she had already read it and loved it. I think my students, especially the girls, will enjoy the story.
4 out of 5 stars
AR level of 5.8
Recommended for: students 10 and up, readers who like relationship/friendship stories
Cautions: none
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