SAINT IVY

Is there such a thing as being too kind?

Thirteen-year-old Ivy believes that being kind is what she does best—so much so that some kids have taken to calling her “Saint Ivy.” The nuanced nature of kindness comes to the fore as Ivy navigates her complicated life, which includes her parents’ divorce; her dad’s partner, Leo; her mother’s decision to become a gestational surrogate; and her own changing friendships. However, just when all of this threatens to overwhelm, Ivy receives an anonymous email from someone thanking her for making their day better. Ivy excitedly dives into corresponding with this unknown person while also trying to solve the mystery of their identity. After bending over backward to be kind to everyone who might be the anonymous emailer, Ivy realizes it is possible that there is a cost to too much kindness, including negative effects on one’s own health, development, and relationships. Readers might squirm as they watch Ivy continually sublimate her own negative, uncomfortable, sad, or angry feelings into the drive to help others, but with help from those who love her, she learns to unpack some of this as the story moves toward its conclusion and the resolution of the mystery. Ivy is White and Jewish on her mother’s side.

Feelings, life, and people are allowed to be complicated in beautiful ways in this page-turner.