Ivy in the Shadows

When 12-year-old Ivy’s stepfather abandons the family, leaving them with no source of income, her mother is forced to take in a boarder, Caleb, a boy in Ivy’s grade she doesn’t know very well. Caleb’s family is moving several hours away, but they want him to finish the school year before joining them. It’s bad enough that Ivy’s younger brother worships Caleb and believes his stories about his time in Haiti (which Ivy is sure are lies), but having Caleb around also threatens Ivy’s already precarious social life. Ivy also loves listening in on her mother’s phone calls with her best friend, Maureen, but when Maureen shows up to help out, Ivy feels even more edged out of her own home. Ivy is understandably upset by the changes in her life, lashing out (sometimes quite harshly) at both Caleb and her mother. Her attitude may put off some readers, but they will understand where she’s coming from. Woodworth (Georgie’s Moon) also interweaves poignant details about the 2010 earthquake in Haiti, adding additional depth to the story. Ages 8–12. Agent: Adams Literary. (Feb.)