What Happened to Ivy Giveaway
Suppose you’re a teenage boy with a severely disabled younger sister. You love her to bits, mostly, but it also ticks you off how she can totally mess up your social life and make you feel like an outsider even in your own family.
Suppose a girl moves in across the street from you and you like her and maybe she even likes you. And because her mom knew your mom when they were young, the girl ends up coming to your cottage one weekend.
Then suppose that before your family heads home from the cottage, your severely disabled sister dies while she’s alone in the water with your dad.
And suppose after that, things just keep getting worse.
That’s essentially what my latest book is about. I’ll be holding a draw for a free copy on October 10. Comment on this post (on my actual blog, not on Facebook) and you’ll be eligible to win.
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Kathy Stinson is the author of the classic Red Is Best and the award-winning The Man with the Violin. Her wide range of titles includes picture books, non-fiction, young adult fiction, historical fiction, horror, biography, series books, and short stories. She has met with her readers in every province and territory of Canada, in the United States, Britain, Liberia, and Korea. She lives in a small town in Ontario.
Wow, this sounds like a real nail-bitter! Sounds like a difficult story to write, given all the themes that will inevitably pop up. I've had friends with disabled sibs, and I know they often struggled to find their place within their family. Can't wait to read your newest, Kathy!
I was fortunate enough to read an ARC (advanced reading copy) of What Happened to Ivy. As the parent of a severely disabled child, it resonated with me on all levels. It was powerful, heartbreaking and so authentic.
I plan to encourage all of my other children to read it. It's so important (and freeing) to acknowledge that the feelings and emotions we experience are universal. Bravo, Kathy, for dealing with the topic so compassionately.
What Happened to Ivy lets the reader slip their feet into someone else's moccasins, while easing the powerlessness and guilt felt by families who wear those moccasins every day.
Ooooh, this sounds intriguing. And if Lena likes it, it must be good 🙂 If I don't win it, I'll definitely keep my eyes open next time I'm in a bookstore. Best of luck with your launch.
Hi, Kathy – nice that you've gotten to explore this tricky topic. I'm facilitating a four-week session on writing for children as part of Acadia's Lifelong Learning program in October, and I just started re-reading my copy of "Writing Picture Books" – such great advice which still stands (1991, I think), and I'll use it well. Thanks!
Kathy, I love the sound of this story! Intriguing and page-turning. Couple that with your writing style I've loved so much ever since reading "Becoming Ruby" and I'm very excited to read your new book…
I also think the cover is great.
Hi Kathy,
I love the cover of your book… it already makes my heart beat faster and my mind race, as to what really happened that day in the water with her dad… and where was Ivy's brother when the accident took place? Or was it an accident? All very intriguing. It sounds like a perfect book for me to read. I love YA Fiction!
A beautiful and mysterious cover…love it. It really pulls you in….little hands in water foretell the tragedy to come. Would love to read it.
This sounds like a book I'd love to add to my collection. 🙂
Hi Kathy,
I learned of your new book via a mutual writer friend's Facebook post. Congrats!
Sounds intriguing….was it a mercy killing?
Sounds very interesting! Amazing cover.
Thank you, all, for your warm reception of this announcement. I will wish you all good luck in the draw!
Heather, I really appreciate your endorsement. It means a lot.
I'll buy if I do not win. Cheers and hugs to you dear Kathy.
You are a dear, Sheree. Thanks. 🙂
Sounds spooky!
Very intriguing, sounds like a moving book.
I'm hooked, Kathy!
Thanks everyone. 5 days till the draw.
Great to see you again, I'm really excited for this read. It sounds like an incredible book that I will want to share with all my friends! 🙂 -Joanna
Good to see you too, Joanna. I hope you and your friends will enjoy it. Good luck in tomorrow's draw.
What fun it was for me to review all the comments that came in. Thanks again to everyone who shared in the excitement of the release of this book.
Jan, you and your writing students (and others of you who may teach Writing for Children courses) may be interested to know that, although the 1991 version of Writing for Children is now out of print, an updated version is now available in e-book form. http://www.kathystinson.com/writ…
And now, the winner of the draw, chosen randomly is . . .
Tudor Robins!
Congratulations, Tudor. Please send me your snail mail info via the 'Contact' link at the top of this page so I can send you your copy of What Happened to Ivy.
Best to all, Kathy