What Happened to Ivy
Kathy Stinson
Type:
Fiction
Categories:
Social Themes | Family
Themes:
Death & Dying, Siblings, General
Language:
English
Publisher:
Grade Level:
7-10
Age Range:
13-19
Accessible Format Availability:
CELA Library
Description
In David's family, life revolves around his disabled younger sister Ivy. David's feelings for her veer between love and resentment, patience and exasperation, until an accident forces him to confront his own guilt, the meaning of mercy, and what can be forgiven.
David’s younger sister Ivy, born with multiple disabilities, needs constant attention. She may be eleven years old, but in many ways she’s still a baby. She embarrasses him in public. She takes all of their parents’ focus, to the point where David wonders if they see him as anything more than a helper for Ivy. But despite it all, he loves her. The summer days are following their usual pattern of taking care of his sister, doing chores, and trips to the cottage. The one exception is Hannah, the new girl across the street. Hannah makes David feel anything but routine. He wants to be around her all the time. And, amazingly, she seems to be into him as well. Everything changes when Ivy has an accident while being looked after by her dad. As David wrestles with what happened to Ivy, he is forced to confront his own feelings of guilt, the meaning of mercy, and what can be forgiven.
Contributors
Formats
Awards
Canadian Library Association's Book of the Year Awards, Young Adult categoryCommended