Ashley Herring Blake

In the wake of a destructive tornado, one girl develops feelings for another in this stunning, tender novel about emerging identity, perfect for fans of The Thing About Jellyfish. When a tornado rips through town, twelve-year-old Ivy Aberdeen's house is destroyed and her family of five is displaced. Ivy feels invisible and ignored in the aftermath of the storm--and what's worse, her notebook filled with secret drawings of girls holding hands has gone missing. Mysteriously, Ivy's drawings begin to reappear in her locker with notes from someone telling her to open up about her identity. Ivy thinks--and hopes--that this someone might be her classmate, another girl for whom Ivy has begun to develop a crush. Will Ivy find the strength and courage to follow her true feelings? Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World exquisitely enriches the rare category of female middle-grade characters who like girls--and children's literature at large.

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World

Sarah Sammis

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake is set against the backdrop of a devastating tornado. In that regard it's similar to 14 Hollow Road by Jenn Bishop. But there's also an element of sharing letters back and forth through a locker, which brings to mind The Way to Bea by Kat Yeh.




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Izza

5 stars | I wish I had a Robin growing up. This book completely wrecked me; broke my heart and put it back together. Ivy totally reminded me of the 12 years old version of myself. The story, the characters, everything about this book is precious and beautiful. 

"It was all boys with girls, girls with boys. How was Ivy supposed to know how to handle all these feelings for June, all these feelings at all, if everything she saw and read about and heard about was all boy-girl, girl-boy?"

Alexa Jade

Actual rating: 4.5 stars. 

This was SO GOOD and pure and just amazing omfggg.

Taylor Losey

I’m so so happy that this is out there for young kids. It really hit me hard. My favorite shelf just gained a new must read.

KADY BURNS

Read the last 10 percent through tear filled eyes. Had no idea a middle grade book could make me feel so damn much

Fatin Allen

A heart-touching tale of a 12 year old Ivy Aberdeen in figuring out herself. There are some things Robin said that I wish someone would tell me that tear me up. And I was at Layla’s place regarding her friendship with Gigi. And oh god it was an emotional ride from the climax to the falling action, I cried and had to close the book.

Grace O'Callaghan

I just finished this book and I’m an emotional wreck of tears and snot. My little queer heart couldn’t take it. I apologise if this comes off as a mess of a review, but this is now one of my favourite books of 2018.
You know those books that seem to come at a time when you need them the most? That was this book for me. It would have been great for 12 year old me figuring out her sexuality, but better late than never.

After her family home is destroyed in a hurricane, Ivy Aberdeen is feeling lost. She feels overlooked in her family in the aftermath and feels invisible. To make matters worse, her notebook containing drawings of her holding hands with a girl has gone missing. A beautiful tale of a girl learning that she likes girls and feeling like she has somewhere she belongs.

• Ivy Aberdeen is now a favourite character. I related to her so much. She feels lonely within her own family and tends to lock herself away instead of opening up and burdening others with her feelings. I think Ivy is an important character to share with children as they can really learn a lot from her experience.

• My favourite thing about this story is the discussions it brought up. It must be an incredibly difficult thing to have your home ripped away from a tornado and losing everything. As much as I love children’s fantasy, having conversations about real world things in children’s literature is just as important. Loneliness was also a major theme that this book tackled and I thought that it was handled in a very realistic way. 

• Of course this book deals with Ivy learning she likes girls and it was just wonderful. I got butterflies with her and I cried with her when things didn’t turn out the way she’d hoped. My favourite scene was probably when Robin was talking to Ivy about how she’d known she was gay, it was just so touching. 

• Ashley Hering Blake’s writing was exquisite. She never talked down to the reader and her prose was just beautiful. Particularly loved the way she described Ivy’s drawings. I can’t wait to read more of her work.

A very powerful story of a girl finding her place in the world. I’d highly recommend to everyone, particularly girls at Ivy’s age, I truly believe that by reading this it will help a lot of people understand themselves and/or others.

Kirsty

This book was stunning. The writing was absolutely beautiful and I connected with this book so much. I described PERFECTLY what it’s like, at least for me, to be questioning your sexuality and covered all of the feelings surrounding that so well. I just adore Ivy and her whole family (even if the way they treated her for the majority of the book annoyed me a lot). The character development was amazing and although the ending wasn’t exactly what I wanted, I think it wrapped up really well.

:) lily

okay. this was the first queer (and sapphic ! ) book i ever ever read. it shaped who i am today and i cannot express how close this book is to my heart. ashley herring blake, i love you.

Rebeca 

5 stars!!!! 

This book deserves all the stars possible!!!!! I read Girl Made of Stars and while it was good, it wasn't 5 stars. When I heard about this book I was actually super intrigued and picked it up right away. I don't read a lot of middle grade novels but this is perfect for anyone of any age ESPECIALLY middle graders. I got in my feelings so much and all I wanted was to hug Ivy tightly and let her know that everything was going to be okay. The character representation in the book was excellent. 11/10 would recommend. Please pick this up!

Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World

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