In a companion to Where the Heart Is, the lens turns to younger
sister Ivy as she fields the joys and pitfalls of new friendship, hones
her passion for baking, and resists the idea of change.
Ivy loves living in Applewood Heights. The family's apartment is tiny,
and her older sister, Rachel, won't stop grumbling about sharing a room
after their old house was lost to foreclosure. But for the first time,
Ivy has friends. Lucas and Alice live close by, and every week all three
watch their favorite cooking show and practice baking together (even if
Ivy has to find creative substitutes for the pricey ingredients). But
Ivy is a worrier, and this summer there's plenty to be anxious about.
Her parents can't wait to move to a bigger, nicer place, which is the
last thing Ivy wants. Then Alice receives devastating news, and Ivy
somehow manages to say just the wrong thing. Will Alice ever stop being
mad at her?
Ivy finds much-needed reassurance, and a boost of confidence, when she
starts working with the building superintendent, who teaches her how to
fix things. Ivy has a natural talent, but she comes to realize that some
things--like hurt feelings--are harder to fix than others. Luckily, Ivy
is pretty good at making up her own recipes as she goes along. In an
honest, hopeful companion to Where the Heart Is, Jo Knowles puts
quirky, tenacious Ivy in the spotlight--as she tries to figure out
exactly where she's meant to be.
