A review by oneangrylibrarian
The Education of Ivy Blake by Ellen Airgood

4.0

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't realize this was a sequel of sorts to Prairie Evers (which I haven't read). I don't often dip my toe in realistic fiction but I thought this novel was great for young readers. The author does a wonderful job turning small phrases into something poetic and profound. This is a book that I can see being a great family read-aloud due to the complex emotional battles that Ivy (main character) experiences throughout the novel. While an enjoyable quick read, I found I never had a great grip on how the progression of time worked. At times it feels like you just got snips of Ivy's life. However, these moments shine in both brutal honesty and the power of family. This was a book I just randomly picked off my library shelf and it was a great find. If you are looking for a book that proves that family is one of the strongest bonds and does not just come from blood, this is a great personal story for you. Now I have to read the first one!