Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World

After a tornado destroys her family's home, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen struggles with displacement and loss. Her most treasured possession - a notebook filled with drawings of herself holding hands with another girl - goes missing in the aftermath. Ivy and her family move into a cramped hotel room while trying to rebuild their lives. During this time of upheaval, she begins receiving anonymous notes in her locker encouraging her to be true to herself. As Ivy navigates changing family dynamics and new friendships at school, she grapples with questions about her identity and who she can trust. She must decide whether to keep her feelings hidden or find the courage to express her true self. This middle-grade novel explores themes of self-discovery, family bonds, and the challenge of embracing one's identity during times of change. The story speaks to young readers working to understand themselves and their place in the world.

Readers connect with Ivy's authentic emotional journey as a 12-year-old questioning her identity. Many note the book handles complex themes with sensitivity and age-appropriate depth. Readers liked: - Natural portrayal of first crushes and self-discovery - Realistic family dynamics during difficult times - Integration of art and creativity into the story - Representation of LGBTQ+ middle grade characters - Discussion of anxiety and natural disasters Readers disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in the middle sections - A few felt the parent conflict resolution was rushed - Minor complaints about repetitive internal monologue Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (8,900+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (450+ ratings) From reviews: "Captures the confusion and wonder of middle school perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer "The art notebook storyline adds another layer to understanding Ivy's emotions" - School Library Journal reader review "Would have benefited from tighter editing in some chapters" - Amazon reviewer

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🌪️ The book opens with a tornado that destroys Ivy's home, reflecting author Ashley Herring Blake's personal experience living in tornado-prone areas of the American South. 📝 The artwork featured throughout the story mirrors the author's own childhood passion for drawing as a means of self-expression. 🏆 The novel won the 2019 Stonewall Honor Book Award from the American Library Association for its authentic portrayal of LGBTQ+ themes in children's literature. 🎨 The concept of art as a form of communication is central to the story, as Ivy uses her sketchbook to express feelings she can't yet say out loud—a technique often recommended by child psychologists. 💌 The anonymous note-leaving plot element was inspired by the author's own middle school experience of exchanging secret letters with friends through library books.