Families who loved Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World by Ashley Herring Blake often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your middle-grade reader is navigating a major life transition, feeling overlooked within a busy family, or beginning to explore their own identity and crushes. This tender story follows twelve-year-old Ivy, whose world is literally upended when a tornado destroys her home and displaces her family. Amidst the chaos of living in a crowded hotel and a temporary rental, Ivy grapples with a private secret: she is developing feelings for another girl, and her sketchbook documenting those feelings has gone missing. It is a beautiful exploration of the need to be truly 'seen' by those we love. The book handles themes of grief and displacement with great care, making it appropriate for ages 8 to 12. Parents will appreciate how it balances the external drama of a natural disaster with the internal, quiet journey of self-discovery. It provides a mirror for children questioning their orientation and a window for others to understand the vulnerability of coming out. Ultimately, it is a story about the resilience of family bonds and the courage it takes to speak your truth when the world feels loud and confusing.
