Anyone but Ivy Pocket (Ivy Pocket, 1)

Rating: 4.5/5 PenguinsQuick Reasons: quirky, snarky, awesome characters; this story kept me on my toes; Ivy Pocket ALWAYS does the unexpected!; I laughed out loud way too many times; the illustrations are both gorgeous and entertaining; the prose is witty, full of attitude, and ever surprisingHuge thanks to Caleb Krisp and HarperCollins Publishers for sending me a hardcover copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review! This in no way altered my read of or opinions on this book.---“My parents fell into a volcano,” I said. “My mother was blown deep into the Congo, where she now lives with a tribe of vegetarian pygmies, and my father had the good sense to explode on impact.”---THIS BOOK! This book is absolutely adorable and dark and quirky and filled with attitude and...if I don't stop listing off the things I like about it, I'll never actually write my review, so let's jump into this! First and foremost: the illustrations. The illustrations are absolutely GORGEOUS, yet also filled with personality. I really enjoyed that the illustration at the beginning of this book (“I have all the natural instincts of...” followed by a word or phrase) plays into each and every chapter in some way—because Ivy Pocket is nothing but confident in herself and her “abilities!” I really enjoyed that the chapter header images, also, played a huge role in the read—namely, they gave me a small glimpse into whatever chaos or shenanigans were about to befall our MC.Ivy Pocket is a character I never knew I needed SO BADLY to read about. She's a confident, snarky, imaginative 12 year old orphan, working as a maid. I mean, let's just start there, okay? She's 12! But her attitude? Her attitude is bigger than MINE, and I absolutely loved every single moment. I basked in her self assurance. I bathed in her snark. I need to take a lesson from Miss Pocket; she could teach me a thing or fifty about loving myself. I just think she is exactly the type of wonderful character little girls need to be reading—for her confidence. For her love in herself.---The floor was a battlefield of scattered clocks. They no longer ticked as one. The room had lost its heartbeat.---Of course, the other characters are just as brilliantly written, though as this is from Ivy's perspective, I think readers get rather a...caricature image of most of them. While the snark is on point, I feel like perhaps Ivy is a bit jaded where other people are concerned—and very quick to jump to judgments, at least at the beginning of this read. BUT—she's 12! I remember being just as cynical and presumptous at that age, so it's realistic.This story overall is playful, dark, sometimes disturbing (think Neil Gaiman's Coraline), full of witty snark, and positively entertaining—I laughed out loud for a good majority of the read, which doesn't happen often! The characters (especially Miss Pocket) never do exactly what you think they're going to; the prose keeps you on your toes (HAH, rhyme-win!). I was engrossed from beginning to end, and cannot wait to dive into the second book in this series!---“Can you forgive a lonely old ghost?” she sobbed. I shrugged. “Unlikely, dear. I have a talent for grudges. I once carried one for an entire winter. The back pain was monstrous.”---The only downside? This is meant to be a four-novel set. Which means a bit of waiting is in my future, I'm afraid. I'm more than willing to take this journey, though—Ivy Pocket is a fascinating, awesome character, and I can't wait to see what adventures are in store for her! I recommend this book to lovers of mid-grade, Neil Gaiman, and Lemony Snicket. You'll SOB from laughing so hard during this read! This is definitely a book you don't want to miss! ·

Anyone But Ivy Pocket is a hilarious middle grade read with a slightly kooky but loveable main character. My favorite parts of the book are when Ivy is going about life telling people exactly what she thinks without the slightest regard for their feelings or proper etiquette. Ivy Pocket has no internal editor and I love her for it. When the book veers into a more fantasy based plot I went but not quite as much. I would this book to those who enjoy middle grade books or those who enjoy a bit of humor.

Just finished reading this, and now I don't want to be anyone but Ivy Pocket!I envy her author and illustrator. Yes, yes, in the real world I want to be them too, both of them! But I really want to go back in time and be Ivy as a child -- a child who is brave, who says anything she wants, who dunks dowagers in punch and smears them with cheesecake (for their own good, naturally). She is stubborn and willful and strong and foolhardy, and I love her.Why should you care what I think? Because I paid 9.99 for the ebook -- and I will do it again and again for every Ivy book as they are published. And I am a notorious skinflint. (Ask anyone... but Ivy Pocket.)

I enjoyed Anyone But Ivy Pocket but I didn't like how Ivy's character was developed. She was talking prim and proper, which annoyed me because I felt like she was mimicking the adults. It through me off many times trying to keep visualizing her age in the book. Otherwise, it was an enjoyable read. She could be annoying and sometimes brilliant and terribly naive. I am curious about the next book and would read it.

I read it to my daughter and then to my mother. We all enjoyed it a great deal. I am now looking forward to the next book. I also told some family members to read it.

cute, what a naughty little girl;

My 7 year old grand daughter loves to read and this is now one of her favorite booksGreat purchase.

I absolutely loved this book!!Ivy Pocket is a 12 year old very vain girl. She gets caught up in a dangerous situation. Can she survive it and do the job she was told to do?Ivy Pocket is delightful. She is a mix between Anne of Green Gables and Get Smart. She made me laugh out loud.Even though this book is for middle school children, it really held up me.I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. I highly recommend this one. I can't say enough good things about it.

Marvellously hilarious and funny. I fell in love with Ivy from the first page, I just want to hug here and take her home with me, or no, run away with her on more mad adventures and beg her to teach my her hilarious vocabulary. This is Queen Victoria trapped in the body of a hoity-toity young girl.

A fabulous book! I thoroughly enjoyed it even though it's been quite a while since I was a child. I'm a fan Caleb!

Very well received by my 7 year old daughter - laughter, suspense and intrigue. She is hoping for another installment.

Muy interesante y divertido

Correcto todo