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THE BOOK OF IVY

Amy Engel

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for THE BOOK OF IVY by Amy Engel. This book is recommended for ages 15+; content notes include Romance, Death of a character, Frightening scenes; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Good role models.

Ages 15+Source checked

Why this age? Recommended for older teens because of forced marriage, assassination pressure, political violence, danger, grief, and mature romantic themes, including some sexual implication. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age15+

Strongest cautions

  • Romance4/5
  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Good role models3/5
  • Kindness & empathy3/5

What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

The history of the families involves past deaths, and current characters face credible threats of execution.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mention of injuries or blood, but not depicted in gratuitous detail.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild swearing consistent with the genre.

Romance4/5
Why this rating?

A politically arranged marriage develops into a central romance involving attraction, trust, conflict, and kissing.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

High tension and suspense due to the characters living under a regime with constant threats.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Contains modest romantic scenarios appropriate for YA fiction; no explicit content.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

References to alcohol consumption in a societal context are rare.

Violence3/5
Why this rating?

Includes depictions of physical combat, threats of execution, and the looming shadow of war.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Characters confront coercion, danger, grief, and moral dilemmas, with courage shown through difficult principled choices.

Creativity & curiosity2/5
Why this rating?

The dystopian setting and plot invite imagination about rebuilding society, political systems, resistance, and ethical problem-solving.

Diverse representation1/5
Why this rating?

Limited representation beyond the core family dynamics in this specific setting.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Offers insight into themes of power, propaganda, and societal structures.

Kindness & empathy3/5
Why this rating?

Kindness is a pivotal tool used by characters to bridge societal divides.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes address autonomy, consent, loyalty, justice, political power, trust, and resisting harmful expectations.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Protagonists show resilience and growth, though they also make mistakes under pressure.

Family discussion

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Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did relationships or romance affect the characters’ choices?
  3. Which choice in THE BOOK OF IVY would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in THE BOOK OF IVY, and what caused that change?
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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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