Sweet story of 12 year old Ivy dealing with the loss of her home in a tornado, a huge change in family dynamics and feelings of having crushes on girls. The author sets up an intriguing mystery that allows for an emotional journey to take place, and the end is full of good feelings of support and worth, even when the crush is unrequited.

Recommended for: middle grade / tweens /kids who are working through the experience of natural disasters
Red Flags:
Overall Rating: 3.5/5 stars

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I really appreciated the way this book portrays a first romantic crush. There is a lot of emphasis on the physical sensations of being nervous, excited, flustered, etc. and all of it is heightened because Ivy's first crush is on a girl. In her small Georgia town, Ivy hasn't exactly grown up with the idea that it's okay to be gay. In fact, she has a feeling like maybe it's not okay and so she struggles with whether to tell anyone. I liked how the book examines the toll it takes on LGBTQ kids to come out (because the assumption is that everyone is straight).

My big hesitation with this book is whether the community's only out lesbian (that Ivy knows of) feels more like a device or even a trope (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magical_Negro). She sort of swoops in and gives Ivy just what she needs just when she needs it. I'd be interested to hear what other readers think.

Overall this is a pretty gentle, ultimately uplifting read about a 12-year-old who uses art to process her feelings. ( )

So developmentally tween appropriate, it almost distracts from the book -- textbook wanting independence and fearing it; needing allies outside of parents; feeling invisible and overwhelmed with new social/hormonal developments.

However, it's also a strong story, with a host of appealing characters, and an absolutely fabulous book for the questioning/queer kid. ( )

children's middlegrade fiction-queer/questioning at 12 years old.
Have tissues handy! This is gentle yet devastating, bittersweet yet beautiful. ( )

This book was so adorable, emotional and sweet. Ivy was so sweet and her fears etc., were so well written that I couldn't believe it. The cover makes total sense, the fact that it started so raw was unreal - never read anything like twister but darn I felt like I was there. Secondary characters were superb, the end was so cute and sweet - I literally am now obsessed with AHB ( )