What a hilarious book! I laughed, cried, and pitied Ida B! I think this is the perfect fun, easy read and I loved it. Two bucks later and a whole lot of laughing, here I am with my review for Ida B by Katherine Hannigan!
I liked Ida’s sweet, perfect family and their farm and her cozy home-schooling life. I even liked it when Ida’s whole world changed and she went to regular school. It was a really light read – almost too light.
I got a little bit bored because a) Ida B was a little bit of a brat basically the whole book and b) I wasn’t even sure what the main plot was. Ida B’s mom got sick? A new family moved in on her family’s property? She has to go to regular school? I was sick of Ida’s whining and just plain hatefulness to the new family and little girl who moves in on her dad’s apple orchard – so that her dad could pay some of her mom’s doctor bills. I was kind of like, “Look, Ida B, I get that you’re ten and all, and your whole precious little world is ruined, but YOUR MOM HAS CANCER AND YOU’RE MAD THAT YOU HAVE TO GO TO REAL SCHOOL AND SAY GOODBYE TO SOME TREES??!”
Yeah. I didn’t like her too much. Buuut then I was laughing because a) she’s a total drama queen, b) her antics to try to get rid of the new family were rather silly and I could see my own little sister doing something like it, and c) I kinda-sorta understood Ida B. What she did and said in the book are what all of our ten-year-old-selves either did or wanted to do. Heck, I kind of wish I did have Ida B’s boldness.
I still think that a lot more could have been done about Ida B’s mother’s sickness. I mean, her mother has Cancer. I thought that should have been more focused on… Ida B is going on and on about the trees that got cut down for the new family to move in, but really? Even if the trees are my best friends, I’d give them up for my mom. Get a grip, Ida B. I wished it were a little bit longer, or the book was focused less on Ida B’s school life and talking to her beloved trees and more turned her friendship with the little girl who lived in the new house. (Or rather, lack there of.)
I guess I just think that the plot could have been better, but I still really enjoyed reading it. It was still worth it! =)
3 and a half stars!
Have you read Ida B? What do you think about it? If not, do you think you would read it?
P.S. I think it would be awesome if you entered my giveaway for a $15 Barnes & Noble gift card here (if you haven’t already) so you can buy this book of adorable-ness and laugh at Ida B with me. 😉
I don’t think I will read this book. It just doesn’t sound like my cup of tea. I’m going to Barnes and noble today. Do you have any book recommendations? Even if I don’t get them today I still need books to put on my birthday list. I’m trying to decide if the new Wendy mass book should go on my list or not.
It’s so much fun being around a baby. I’ll probably write a reply to your letter today or tomorrow.
I agree Brooke. It doesn’t seem like a good book to read. A really good book is the Running Dream, or any of Joan Bauer’s books. I hope this helped 🙂
I understand that. Personally, I love these types of books because they’re easy to read in between other books. And I went through a summer where I read books like Ida B and it makes me feel nostalgic. (If that makes any sense at all.) 😉
I got a LOT of books for Easter, between my mom and dad and my grandma. I’m definitely doing a stacking the shelves this week. I just finished Crunch by Leslie Connor, and it was really good. I think you would like it.
I can’t wait for the new Wendy Mass book, but I haven’t read her books in so long I don’t know if I would appreciate the book as much, you know? Not remembering what went on… I mean, I remember them, but not that well. (I used to be obsessed with all of Wendy Mass’ books! I haven’t read her newest ones though.) Next Monday I’ll be reviewing Palace of Mirrors by Margaret Peterson Haddix, which I LOVED. The next book in the series comes out tomorrow!
It is! I got to hold my cousin Abbie yesterday. She’s so cute!
Great. 🙂 I can’t wait to get it. Did you like my letter?
Emily, did you make your list yet? I didn’t 🙂
No, I haven’t had time! Easter weekend was pretty busy for me. I’m trying to think of my favorite, favorite books. Hopefully I’ll get it to you sometime today. 🙂
I read Ida B. Yep. I totes remember reading Ida B in like the third grade (which feels like 1,000 years ago!) I think what really struck me was she said “ma’am” or some really weird word (ma’am is not weird lol, but what she did say I thought was). I don’t think I ever finished the book. I can’t remember why, but perhaps because it read slow for me, or just the point of view of the book. Or maybe because Ida B was annoying xD I honestly don’t know.
I’m not sure what books you like Brooke, but “Island of the Blue Dolphins” is absolutely fantastic, by Scott O’Dell. I’ve probably read it three of four times now, it’s that good.
I’ve read and enjoyed many books that all of you have talked about. I need some book recomendations, do any of you have any for me?
Hey Lu! Like I said before “Island of the Blue Dolphins” by Scott O’dell is a great one. Really is useful if you’re in the wild all by yourself with only a wild dog that you tame. I mean I felt like I was in survival camp reading it.
I also recommend Little House books by Laura Ingalls Wilder if you’re interested in pioneer stuff. It’s honestly amazing, and makes me want to record more stuff that goes on in my life. Though it probably wouldn’t be as interesting as Laura’s! The last book I read (finished it yesterday) was the Long Winter by her. It’s also a Long Book but it’s a great read 🙂
Thanks Grace. I’ve read Island of the Blue Dolphins it was good. I loved the Little House on the Praire books as well. They were great. I’m in 8th grade and we’re reading To Kill a Mockingbird. If you have any more recomendations, feel free to throw them my way! 🙂
Ooh I read that when I was in 4th grade. I should probably read it again to understand it more ha ha
Wow looks like we have the same book tastes! Super awesome. Have you tried any Jane Austen books? I’m a classic fanatic so I like those. Oh one book I read and loved was Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton. I seriously enjoyed it. It does have scandal but it’s set in 1920 so its mild mild mild XD
Okay, Grace, Lu, can I just say YOU’RE AWESOME?! Allll of the books you both mentioned are amazing!!
Grace, Jane Austen is seriously my LIFE. I actually own Age of Innocence but I haven’t read it yet!! Seriously need to tackle that one! 😀
Eek! That is really exciting! Jane Austen is so awesome along with Louisa May Alcott (credit to Heather Vogel Frederick for sucking me back in to Little Women lol. The ’94 movie and its soundtrack are my Christmas go to’s!)
Emily you’ll have to tell me when you read Age of Innocence. I might just have to read it again 😛 it was so engaging
I love Louisa May Alcott, too. I’ve been meaning to read Jo’s Boys (I’ve read Little Women and Little Men) forever. Christmas?! I watch it year-round. 😀
I definitely will! I just need to find the time. There are SOO many books I want to read!!
Haven’t read Age of Inocennocence, but I’ll look into it 🙂
I love Jane Austen but I haven’t read the books but I’ve seen the movies and I love Pride and Prejudice! I’ve read Little Women too.
I need to stack up my TBR list. I have 4.5 hours of reading next week!
As Mark Twain once said, “A classic is something everybody wants to have read, but nobody wants to read” lol xD I haven’t read much Jane Austen cover to cover either, but I love watching the movies (Sense and Sensibility is just yes)
Hopefully you’ll find some good reads!
Even though Ida B sounds like a really whiny person, I can kind of understand that. When something devastating happens to you, it’s so much easier to focus on the superficial things, almost as a form of denial. Besides, this sounds like a book way too cute to pass up!
Exactly! You took the words right out of my mouth, Ana. 😉
Hmmm…I see where you’re coming from. I agree- I probably won’t reread this, but I don’t regret reading it. 🙂
Right. 🙂