Faith, Hope and Ivy June

From Goodreads: Ivy June Mosely and Catherine Combs, two girls from different parts of Kentucky, are participating in the first seventh-grade student exchange program between their schools. The girls will stay at each other’s homes, attend school together, and record their experience in their journals. Catherine and her family have a beautiful home with plenty of space. Since Ivy June’s house is crowded, she lives with her grandparents. Her Pappaw works in the coal mines supporting four generations of kinfolk. Ivy June can’t wait until he leaves that mine forever and retires. As the girls get closer, they discover they’re more alike than different, especially when they face the terror of not knowing what’s happening to those they love most.

I just finished listening to this audiobook. Ivy June and Catherine come from two different worlds. Ivy June goes to Lexington first. She experiences indoor plumbing, wearing uniforms to school and cell phones. After she's home for a week, Catherine comes to visit her in Thunder Creek (near the mountains) and experiences no phones and the inconvenience of not being able to wash her hair every day.

We get to know the girls as they write their private thoughts in their journals. While there are many differences, they also learn that they are similar in many ways as well. They each have to deal with jealous best friends, boys and worrying about their loved ones. One of the traumatic events was foreshadowed pretty well and I would have been surprised if it hadn't happened. 

I like how it ends with the uncertainty of the future and all the possibilities that await. That exciting anticipation that the future has so much to offer when you're so young. This is a book that I would recommend for younger readers as well as adults.

My Rating: 4 stars