When push comes to shove, two Kentucky girls find strength in each other. Ivy June Mosely and Catherine Combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first seventh-grade student exchange program between their schools. The girls will stay at each other’s homes, attend school together, and record their experience in their journals. Catherine and her family have a beautiful home with plenty of space. Since Ivy June’s house is crowded, she lives with her grandparents. Her Pappaw works in the coal mines supporting four generations of kinfolk. Ivy June can’t wait until he leaves that mine forever and retires. As the girls get closer, they discover they’re more alike than different, especially when they face the terror of not knowing what’s happening to those they love most.
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"I thoroughly enjoyed this juvenile fiction story about two girls in Kentucky who have the opportunity to do an exchange at their schools. One lives in Lexington with all the frills and privileges of city life and the other lives in the hollows near Hazard. As they experience time together in each setting, they begin to see that life and family can be different in economic ways and the same in many ways with regard to relationships. Both girls have some difficulties happen while they are together and learn the value of friendship."
— Donna (4 out of 5 stars)
" Well-deserved nomination for the 2011-12 Mark Twain awards, Naylor's story is about two young Kentucky girls chosen for a two-week student exchange program. Ivy June lives in the Cumberland Mountains in a rugged cabin with her grandparents, since her family home of two rooms is too small for seven people. Catherine lives in a fine house in Lexington and attends a private girl's school. They each keep a diary of their experiences, thoughts, and fears, finding more in common than either anticipated. "
— Connie, 2/18/2014" I listened to this on audio and loved it. "
— Gina, 2/17/2014" Very cute book I didnt love allnof it some parts didn't seem to live up to there full petential but it was cute non the less and the girls' friendship was beautiful. I loved the end it was beautiful. So that did it for me. I wished there was more disdainful. Of the characters tho smoke of hem I just couldn't figure what they looked like. Otherwise this was a adorable life lesson heart warming. It even made me cry a couple times. Very cure. "
— Arimas, 2/17/2014" I recomend this book to everyone its amazing! "
— Hannah, 2/14/2014" Definitely a good read for pre-teens and young teens, I think older than 14 or 15 and they would find it boring. Tells a good story about, as the saying goes, not judging a book by its cover. How two girls had a chance to experience getting to know what life is like for other and then learning, maybe underneath it all, that they really aren't that different. "
— Trish, 2/8/2014" This book is a really great, and fun book about friendship. It is about two girls from different states Ivy, and Catherine are two different girls. However, they fight their way through, and find that they are exactly like sisters. If you love a book that is supper funny, and mesmerizing you should read this book. "
— Julia, 1/29/2014" This a book that is great for girls age 10 and up. "
— Kristine, 1/21/2014" LOVED this book!!! Of course, Phyllis Reynolds Naylor is a fantastic author to begin with!!! "
— Gayle, 1/12/2014" Starts out as being a pretty good book. I thought I was prepared for the "terror of not knowing what's happening to their loved ones," but I wasn't; it turned out to be quite gripping. The girls seemed to act younger than their revealed age, but perhaps that is my own misreading. "
— Magda, 1/9/2014" It was a really good book. "
— Kam, 1/7/2014" I really like this book. While the girls probably had a much easier time of it than they would in real life, things didn't always go smoothly, and each had a serious emergency in their family, they each came to appreciate both their own lives and that of the other. "
— Mary, 5/6/2013" The comparisons between the rich girl and poor girl and the similarites they shared can relate to everyone. Very touching. "
— Sheila, 10/2/2012" read it upon my daughter's recommendation...good choice daugher! "
— Marcia, 7/23/2012" I was probably too old to read this book, but I'm very glad that I did. "
— Joyce, 7/10/2012" I absolutely adored this book. I found myself unable to put it down. Stunning! "
— GoddardLibrary, 4/17/2012" I gave this book a three out of five because while it had a good story the action was lacking and it might not have been very relistic. "
— Mackenzie, 1/11/2012" Ivy June is such a likable character, the reader immediately wants her to win. It takes a while to figure out what the prize is though. The theme that old and young alike need to understand is that family and friends are what matter most in life. Indoor plumbing and fancy dresses are a bonus. "
— Joan, 9/13/2011" its a really good book "
— The, 8/19/2011" Cat, student at a fancy girls' school in Lexington, and Ivy June, 7th grader in a poor coal mining community, participate in an exchange and predictably discover that they are more alike than different. "
— Virginia, 6/29/2011" Bluestem List 2012. A really sweet story that deals with misconceptions and predjudice. I think this would make a great read aloud for 3-5th grade. So many great talking points to discuss with students. "
— Beth, 6/12/2011" It is a good book about 2 girls who r on an exchange program and are at ivy june's when trouble comes to both families. I really thought this was a heart touchin book. "
— Olivia, 5/7/2011" Interesting idea with the girls visiting each other and seeing each others' worlds. It was a good thing Catherine was so open-minded and mature about her stay with Ivy June. The mining accident added a bit of tension toward the end. This would be a good book for 5th to 7th grade girls. "
— Georgene, 5/1/2011" Ivy June is as anxious about going to the city on an exchange program as Catherine is about coming to the hills. Trying to push aside all of their preconceived notions about what to expect, the two girls find that despite their differences they have a lot in common. "
— Carol, 4/29/2011" I loved hearing the different perspectives of each girl. Teaches an appreciation for what you have and more is not always better. "
— Lori, 4/26/2011" The boys get Diary of a wimpy kid (ugh) and the girls get this thoughtful (perhaps a bit predictable)"diary" book about two girls from two different worlds who find common ground. "
— Annamaria, 4/7/2011" I was probably too old to read this book, but I'm very glad that I did. "
— Joyce, 3/19/2011" This is a more heartfelt and dramatic offering from Naylor, author of the hilarious Alice books. Of course, it is just as compulsively readable as her other works. "
— Kristen, 3/7/2011" i am on page 129 right now!! amazing book. i love how discriptive the author is. it is such a good book. i highly recomend it!!! "
— mal-mal, 2/24/2011" I listened to this on audio and loved it. "
— Gina, 2/14/2011" This is the worst book I have ever read because I got bored the more I got into the book. "
— Porterbt, 1/31/2011" Sweet story about a student exchange program, friendship, and how we're not really so different from each other after all. "
— Barb, 1/9/2011Phyllis Reynolds Naylor has written more than 135 books, including the Newbery Award–winning Shiloh and the popular Alice series. She lives in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Karen White has been narrating audiobooks of all genres since 1999. Honored to be included in AudioFile’s Best Voices, she’s also a four-time Audie Finalist and has earned multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and Library Journal starred reviews.