Realistic Fiction Fans Will Love Ivy Blake ✩✩✩✩

If you put the historical fiction title The Wonder of Charlie Ann by Kimberly Newton Fusco, and the popular One For the Murphys by Lynda Mulally Hunt nto a book blender, you could very well end up with The Education of Ivy Blake by Ellen Airgood.

Ivy has been living in foster care with her best friend and family, who are a colorful and creative bunch. When Ivy's mom returns to bring her home, Ivy is excited, yet nervous. Has her mom changed her ways? Or will Ivy see more of her mom's reckless and unpredictable behavior? Fortunately, Ivy learns to cope by using her creative skills to sketch in a journal and eventually fulfill her dream by making a movie. Ivy's descriptive coming-of-age journey makes it easy to have the "movie in your mind" of this story. This book is recommended for your fifth or sixth grade fan of realistic fiction.