Ida B. . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World, Katherine Hannigan

Oh, Ida B., you were fun to read but perhaps not everything I hoped for regarding a middle-grade book on cancer.

Ida B., the character, is awesome, she has a fondness for all things not school-related. She has named all the trees on her family's property, has a great relationship with the brook on the edge of their farm, and loves her parents. But when Ida B. must go to school, everything changes.

I wanted to read this book for two reasons; the first was I wanted to see how other writers wrote for middle-grade, and the second was I wanted to see how an author would write a middle-grade book incorporating cancer into the plot. That is where the book fell short for me.

When Ida B.'s mother is diagnosed with cancer, Ida B. turns sullen (understandable), but the vast majority of her energy (and the story) revolves around school and how because of her mother's diagnosis, Ida B. must attend traditional school rather than remain homeschooled. I wanted more "meat" regarding the cancer, regarding the child's feelings toward the cancer (not having to go to school because of her mother's cancer).

This is a good story, one not to shy away from, just don't read it with the thought you, or your child will get much, if anything, about children watching a cancer diagnosis play out. If you want a fun story about a fun character with a sprinkling of sadness, this is a wonderful option.