The Changeling

Rating:
Summary: Wow
Review: This is one of the best books I've ever read. It made me want to become Ivy, to be able to see everything as magical. She has such a passion for life, and the world is like music to her. Ivy IS poetry. She shows Martha how to enjoy nature, and helps to bring her out of her shell. Without Ivy, Martha would just be a sad little girl. In her own way, Ivy brought Martha to life. This is a book that I was sad I finished. I wished it wasn't over.

Rating:
Summary: As Mrs. Smith would say, a BEAUTIFUL book...
Review: Unlike most of the other people who wrote these reviews, I didn't have the luxury of reading The Changeling back in the 70's. (If only...) I read this book first in 4th grade, and I'm now in high school. I came across it in a used bookstore, and about a year later, I decided to read it, since it was sitting, unread, on my book shelf. I loved Ivy, and I wished that I could have been like her, and believed in all that magic. I especially loved the book for all the ceremonies, and it encouraged me to "not grow up too fast" for several years. It was always a great thing to think that Martha and Ivy were still playing pretend in middle school, and so maybe it was okay that I still did in the first year. Another thing that I realize about it though, is that even though it treasures childhood, it does not portray growing up as a terrible thing either. Martha goes to high school, and survives without Ivy. She is happy and has friends, even though she has grown up and become more "normal". I have read it every year since 4th grade, and every year I write my name in the book (an idea which seemed cool in 5th grade). I read a few other books by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, and the ones I like most were not her most famous ones. I also reccommend the green-sky trilogy, which (I emailed her to ask this, and she replied!!) was indeed based on Martha and Ivy's pretend play in the treetops at Bent Oaks grove. I highly reccommend the Changeling, it can be appreciated by all ages...especially people who are close to children.