Ivy (by Julie Hearn)
common sense media says
Dickens-style tale with addiction and thievery.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that it takes Ivy most of the book to stop being a victim (of poverty, of cruel relatives, of drug addiction) and assert herself. Set in Victorian England, the novel features seedy neighborhoods, theft, suggestions of prostitution, attempted murder, and drug use.
Violence:
Ivy's cousin threatens to "thrash" her as a young child. Ivy believes her caretaker killed a theft victim, and runs away from the bloody scene of the crime. An enemy attempts to murder Ivy on several occasions. Ivy plans to commit suicide to escape her poor lot in life. A woman poisons her neighbor's pet armadillo.
Sex:
Ivy's aunt warns that Ivy's employer will "pounce on her" and advises her to "make sure the price is right before you lets 'im have 'is wicked way."
Language:
Not applicable.
Consumerism:
Ivy learns the value of different cloth materials as part of her thief training.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Adults give Ivy laudanum (an opiate) to quiet her as a child; she becomes addicted to it. She suffers physical and mental symptoms of addiction when denied the drug. An artist's wife dies from a laudanum overdose. An enemy tries to kill Ivy with too much laudanum; Ivy considers committing suicide by drinking an entire bottle.
More on Ivy
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Most useful reviews by all members
avapink16
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
just not a good book for any age
i am a teen who read this book, this book in my opinion is off for all ages but i had to pick an age group so i went with 10+ but if you have a teen interested in victorian set books with a clear victum and possible savior then this may be a book they would be interested in but there is alot of reference to Ivy's addiction to drugs and the theives and the fact that she never really stands up for herself she just takes it the main character is a horriable role model the message is basically be a junkie and hang with bad people that theive and the book just isn't that good anyway its sad and dreary and slow so if you in want of a book dont pick this one you'd be better off with Dear John
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