Ivy's Reviews

Felicia Day, geek goddess extraordinaire, is on a mission of creativity, specifically to help each of us unlock our imagination and finally work on that project we’ve been putting off. Personally, I am a professional procrastinator. I tend to think up great, crazy ideas and then do absolutely nothing with them. This book gave me permission and the tools I needed to start making them a reality. Take this book and get to work (but, like, in a fun way). - Ivy

Carrie Fisher’s legacy is complex and intriguing. A champion of mental health and nerddom, she wasn’t a perfect person, but she was so cool, famous for always being herself. This book is a love letter to Carrie. It also gives a deep look into the Hollywood royalty with whom she grew up. It is the perfect homage to our foul-mouthed space princess. I loved every dramatic minute of it. - Ivy

My household is obsessed with The Great British Bake Off. Seriously, my partner and I have seen every available episode. Benjamina remains one of our favorite contestants. We were crushed when she didn’t make it into the top four. But now we get to bring home some of her impeccable flavors. Innovative and easy to follow, this cookbook is a real winner for me. I mean, Hot Chocolate and Halva Pudding. So. Good. I wish I could give her a Paul Hollywood handshake. - Ivy

Change is hard, but that doesn’t make it bad. When Rabbit loses an old friend, he gains the friend’s motorbike. As someone who never left the farm, it seemed an odd gift, but one day Rabbit hops on and takes a chance on the great unknown. Gorgeously illustrated and lovingly told, it is a reminder that sometimes the hardest risks have the greatest rewards. Roads are long, but they all end somewhere new and exciting. - Ivy

In 10 blocks, very different kids find themselves connected in strange and interesting ways. Dogs are avoided, comedy is tested, lists are made, and new love blossoms. Jason Reynolds’s way with words is enviable. Each kid is real and raw, dealing with issues most adults assume children can’t possibly have a grasp of. I took my time and savored every moment with this slim novel. Trust me, you will, too. - Ivy

As a teenager, historical fiction got me through some rough times. The Fountains of Silence would have been a panacea to my soul. Ana and Daniel come from very different worlds and Daniel’s lack of cultural understanding puts them both at risk. This story is lush and beautiful but exposes the sharp edges of a part of history. By shedding light on the history of fascism in Spain, Sepetys offers a harsh warning to modern readers. - Ivy

There’s nothing quite like summer and the unexpected gifts exploration brings. When three cousins approach a dilapidated house, a face appears at the window and they run from the “ghost”. After spilling the beans to their grandmother, she makes them apologize to the kind old man living there and thus begins a beautiful intergenerational friendship. This excellent story uses the comic book form to draw you in. I won’t soon forget that kindness and friendship can be found in surprising places. - Ivy

In 1963, the Children’s March brought urgency to the Civil Rights Movement and the March on Washington planted Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream in the world’s heads and hearts. Thirteen-year old Sharon, daughter of baseball legend and activist Jackie Robinson, yearned to do her part, but felt small in a large movement. Robinson offers an amazing front row seat to some of the greatest moments in history. Her memoir is an excellent and necessary reminder for this uncertain age. - Ivy

We have to talk about the F word. No, not that one: “fat”. Media and even our beloved books send a clear message: fat people are not welcome. Their lack of representation in the aforementioned mediums is hurtful and causes many people to doubt their own worth. This lovely collection of essays by some of the most celebrated YA authors wants to remind you this invisibility is bullsh*t. The road to self love is long, but this book helps immensely. - Ivy

The world is not black and white, so why do we approach gender as a binary? In Me, Myself, They, Joshua Ferguson breaks down on historical, scientific, and societal bases why a two-gender outlook ignores reality. The world is filled with so many colors and the idea that we all fit into one of two boxes is preposterous. This unflinchingly honest memoir made me rethink everything I know about gender and I can’t wait to give it to everyone I know. - Ivy