Date Published: Feb 24, 2026
Publisher: Small Circles Press
“It’s the universe, Ivy Leigh, welcoming in a little change.” Mr. Winters, her neighbor, a wannabe cowboy, tells her one day. But change is so confusing. When a pair of bullies taunt her on the bus and tease her at school, Ivy makes a giant mistake.
With a mix of humor and poignant moments and a quirky cast of neighbors and friends, Ivy finds a way to understand herself and make up for that mistake she’s made. Best of all, Ivy remembers Momma: Feelings are like fireflies caught in a jar, Ivy Leigh. They belong in the open, where a warm breeze can carry them away!
Review: Ivy was a little girl with a scruffy and rambunctious dog named Peachy. It was the end of sixth grade, she recently lost her mother, and it just seemed like everything was changing. On top of all that, she had a pretty mean grandma who wanted to get rid of the dog. No, not the dog!
This was your typical coming-of-age story. I honestly thought that there would be more illustrations in it, but the read itself was nice and simple. A shorter and quicker pace would’ve made this easier to read, especially if this was truly aiming for young readers. Overall, a fairly nice read.
Rating:
3 stars
Gael Lynch is a writer and storyteller, a teacher whose love of kids and furry creatures has followed her throughout her life. She now lives in coastal Carolina, a place of sunny beaches and warm breezes with her husband Tom and her rambunctious golden retriever, Wrigley. However, Newtown, Connecticut, with its pastoral beauty and kind-hearted people will always be a place she calls home.
Twitter @gaellynch
Instagram: @lynchgael
This was a fun read
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