 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
- By Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
- Genre: Friendship
Common Sense Media says
Similarities trump differences in true friendship.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there are some quarrels within families, as well as between friends, but that there isn’t too much to worry about. There are also issues of loss and grief, as each girl comes close to losing a close family member, one to sickness and one to a mining accident.
What's the story?
Although they live only a few hours apart in Kentucky, Ivy June Mosely and Catherine Combs come from two drastically different homes. Ivy June lives in the mountains of Thunder Creek, where she resides in her grandparents’ rural house with no cell phone reception and just enough means to get by. Catherine comes from a more suburban neighborhood, with white shutters, brand-name clothes, and significantly more income. To broaden their horizons, the two girls participate in a student exchange program through their middle schools to see how another girl their age lives. The two write in journals throughout the broadening journey, reflecting on their differences, but more importantly, their similarities.
Is it any good?
In this touching tale of an unlikely friendship, the message of "the grass isn't always greener" comes through clearly. So do deeper messages of self-acceptance and the importance of being a good person over having the nicest clothes -- all great concepts for middle school girls who are constantly comparing themselves to their peers.
The vast chasm between the two girls’ lifestyles seems a bit exaggerated, and borderline politically incorrect -- most rural homes nowadays don't have outhouses. But the suburban/rural exchange premise is plausible.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about accepting what one has instead of wanting the material items or family dynamics of another. Is it better to appreciate aspects of your own house?
How important are material items to your family? What's more important?
Do you have friends from different backgrounds? Is it possible to set aside differences to become friends, like Ivy June and Catherine?
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AGE
strangers come together
I think this is a very good book for kids 10 & up to read. Iloved so i think other kids would love it to.
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AGE
A Good Book With Good Messages
I think this book was very good. It proves that no matter how different people are, they can still be great friends. The mining accident was scary, and I could not put the book down until I found out what happened. Some deaths are mentioned. I think that this book was very good.
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AGE
a book that gives kids hope in the characters problems
this book is all about a exchange progam that two schools are doing, Thunder Creek, and Lexiton all girls school. Ivy June and Catherine Combs go on a out of this world trouble Catherines mom is sick and Ivy Junes grandpa works in the mines. Tragedy happens on the same day for Ivy June and Catherine Combs. Both of the girls get a taste of the others life and the differences in their lives that they lived.
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AGE
This book shows that people from two diffrent worlds can come together and become the best of friend. No matter how diffrent they are.
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AGE
It has a positive message and it is vey kid appropriate.
I think it is very child appropriate and a amazing story
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Kid, 12 years old
February 8, 2011
AGE
One of the best books ever
This book is great for any grade group that can read.
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AGE
Amazing Book to read
I think the book is amazing. It taught me the real values of life. Happiness.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 31, 2009
AGE
A MUST READ
I loved this story! 'Faith, Hope, and Ivy June' tells a heart-warming story about two girls, Ivy June and Catherine. These two girls lead different lives, and from each girl you learn about there life. The girls have a couple of fights, but they have their fights just like regular people. At one point in the story Catherine's mom goes to the hospitable, WHILE Catherine is at Ivy June's very remote town. At the same time Ivy June is very scared for her grandpa, Papaw, who works in a mine, and was in it while the mine flooded! I think this is a good book for kids aged ten and up, as there are some parts that nine year olds most likely won't understand and won't make sense to them, and other parts that they won't enjoy, and will seem unreasonably silly to them.
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Kid, 12 years old
December 10, 2011
AGE
Great message
I think that this book teaches a great lesson to be happy with what you have!
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AGE
Faith, Hope, and Ivy June
I'm a teacher and used this as a book club book for my 4th grade class. It is an easy way to show kids what it would be like to have to move to a school where you were the outcast. It also shows kids an obvious example of the differences between cultures within the U.S. as well as how material goods may not be the most important thing in life.
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| Author: | Phyllis Reynolds Naylor |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Friendship |
| Publisher: | Delacorte Press |
| Publication date: | June 15, 2009 |
| Number of pages: | 288 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Read aloud: | 9 |
| Read alone: | 9 |
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