Zelda and Ivy- (1) Geisel Award Book

Zelda and Ivy the Runaways

By: Laura McGee Kvasnosky

Genre: Chapter book

Award: Theodore Suess Geisel Award

Grade Level: The appropriate grade level for this book would be first grade. Since the book focuses on two sisters, the book is geared more towards young female readers. Though this is a chapter book, the word choice is at a low readability level and requires no prior knowledge.

Summary: Zelda and Ivy the Runaways is about to fox sisters, Zelda and Ivy, and their adventures. The first chapter discusses the sisters escape from the cucumber sandwich lunch their father prepared, and how they runaway to their backyard to hide out. The second chapter is about a time capsule the girls make, but Zelda and Ivy both put in their favorite items, so they must rescue their prized possessions. The final chapter is about a secret ‘creative juice’ concoction Ivy makes for Zelda because she cannot finish her poem. The illustrations are a cartoonist style and the thin broken lines enforce the make-believe plotline.

Classroom Strategies:

Have the students create a Venn diagram comparing and contrasting the character traits of Zelda and Ivy. This will allow the students to recognize the two separate entities of the characters and consider the elements that make up the characters of Zelda and Ivy.

Have the students write a paragraph about a time when they ‘were out of ideas’ like Zelda was in chapter three, and how the secret ‘creative juice’ concoction that Ivy made could have helped them. Encourage the students to be creative by using adjectives.

ESOL: ESOL strategies used for this book include having the students compare and contrast, use graphic organizers, creating a Venn diagram, and the students using their own experiences.

Read Aloud: I would read chapter three to my first grade class because it shows both sisters being creative and helping each other.  

Personal Opinion: I thought this book lacked depth and real conflict. Both of the main characters are flat in that they never change throughout their difficulties. In fact, the difficulties Zelda and Ivy face are miniscule and unimportant such as ‘running away’ or burying a favorite possession in a time capsule. Though young female readers may enjoy the story better because they can better relate to the characters and the non-serious issues they face, I did not enjoy the story.