Faith, Hope, and Ivy June

by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Lexile:  900
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Ivy June of Thunder Creek and Catherine of Lexington are about to take part in their first ever student-school exchange program.  Ivy June from rural Kentucky (no phone, no running water, outhouse) is going to stay with Catherine from the big city (cell phones, computers, 4 bedroom, 5 bathroom house) for two weeks.  Ivy June has no idea what people from Lexington are like and Catherine doesn't know what to expect life out in the mountains will be like.  In this book, both girls keep a journal that explores their thoughts and feelings about the differences between their lives.  Surprisingly though, they are both able to find similarities and a new friendship is born that will help each of them cope with situations in their lives that are beyond their control.