Anyone But Ivy Pocket

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: October 13, 2015

Review

Meet Ivy Pocket, aged 12, orphaned, recently fired ladies maid whose over-confident, yet rude character and circumstances is a mashup between the dark comedy of the "Series of Unfortunate Events" (Snicket) and "Amelia Bedelia"(Parish). Ivy has the special talent of viewing everything from a stance of exaggerated denial and the ability to spin an outrageous story to back up that denial. This talent makes her the perfect, or imperfect, messenger for the Duchess of Trinity who has given her the task of delivering a cursed clock diamond to the daughter of the Duchess's enemy. Carrying the diamond puts Ivy in danger from every turn, even the underworld, as her adventure unfolds and her unfortunate decisions create havoc in each circumstance. The backdrop of this dark comedy is Victorian England. Cantini's gothic-like, cartoon black and white, full-page illustrations foreshadows the main action of each chapter. Give this to the more mature readers who appreciate the dark humor and ironic circumstances. This is the first in a planned series.

Overall Book Score: good