
Reach for this book when your child is reacting to a family crisis or major change with a hardened heart, social withdrawal, or a deep sense of injustice. Ida B is a fiercely independent home schooled girl whose world is upended when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer, forcing her back into public school and leading her to 'lock her heart' against the world. It is a poignant, beautifully written exploration of grief, the loss of childhood innocence, and the difficult journey toward forgiveness. While it touches on heavy themes, it remains deeply rooted in the magic of nature and the resilience of a child's spirit. It is ideal for ages 8 to 12 as a tool to validate the complex anger and sadness that often accompany family illness.
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Sign in to write a reviewThe book deals directly with a parent's cancer diagnosis and the subsequent financial and emotional strain on the family. The approach is secular and realistic. While the mother's prognosis is hopeful by the end, the focus is on the emotional fallout for the child rather than medical details. The resolution is grounded and hopeful but avoids easy, magical fixes.
An introspective 9 to 11 year old who feels like life has treated them unfairly. Specifically, it is for the child who expresses pain through anger or silence rather than tears, and who needs to see that their 'mean' feelings are a valid part of the healing process.
Read cold. Parents should be aware that Ida B's anger toward her parents is sharp and sustained. Preview the chapters where she is particularly cold to her mother to prepare for a discussion on why she is acting out. A parent might see their child becoming uncharacteristically cynical, 'bossy' toward nature or toys, or giving the silent treatment. The trigger is witnessing a child's joy being replaced by a defensive wall of emotional distance.
Younger readers (age 8-9) will focus on the school drama and Ida's love for her dog and the trees. Older readers (11-12) will deeply resonate with the internal monologue regarding the loss of autonomy and the complexity of her mother's illness.
Unlike many 'sick parent' books that focus on the patient, this book focuses intensely on the child's internal rebellion against the unfairness of the situation. It honors the 'ugly' sides of grief (anger and resentment) with incredible empathy.
Ida B lives a blissful, eccentric life being home schooled on her family's orchard, where she talks to the trees and follows her own whims. Everything changes when her mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. To help the family cope, Ida B is sent back to the local public school, a place she previously hated. Feeling betrayed by her parents and the universe, she becomes cold and cynical, distancing herself from everyone she loves until she slowly learns that opening up is the only way to heal.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.