Ida B. is an only child living on a Wisconsin farm with her mother and father. In Ida B.'s case, though, only doesn’t mean lonely—she has a list a mile long of things she intends to do, and her own particular way of doing them. From her insistence on oatmeal with raisins and milk every morning to her plans to never have to wash her face again, this nine-year-old is headstrong, independent and very particular about the way things should be. Ida B. spends a lot of time talking to the apple trees in their orchard, where every tree has a name and a personality. And then one day, the trees let on that changes are about to happen. The wisest of them says: "Hard times are coming," and indeed, Ida B. soon finds herself and her family struggling after her mother develops cancer, forcing her parents to sell part of the orchard and send Ida B. to public school rather than homeschooling her. For Ida B., it's quite a shock to think that the changes are beyond her control.

Ida B. was read by Haley Rice
Haley Rice is a native Georgian with an MFA from Illinois State University. Haley has been seen in Vermont Stage Company's productions of The Foreigner, Quilters and The Miracle Worker, and as the saucy French maid in St. Michael's production of Private Lives. Haley has performed with the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, and also teaches acting at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts.

What do you think?

(Questions from the HarperChildren's reading guide)

One of Ida B's beliefs is that "good plans are the best way to maximize fun, avoid disaster, and possibly, save the world." What situations in the book illustrate that she acts on this belief? Does her planning achieve the goals she expects? Why, or why not?

Ida B. is convinced that the trees, the brook and the stars listen to her and respond to her questions—and even call to her when she doesn't visit them. How does her belief about nature affect her actions? How does it sustain her during difficult times?

When Ida B.'s mama develops cancer, trouble and sadness infect Ida B.'s house and life. How do those changes affect Ida B.? What does she do to adjust to the changes?

When Ida B.'s daddy sells off part of their land and forces her to go back to public school, Ida B. quits talking to her parents and shuts herself up. Why does she respond with such uncharacteristic hostility? Is she justified in her actions? Who is ultimately hurt the most by this action?

Growing frustrated with her attitude, Ida B.'s daddy yells at her several times, which is out of character for him. Why does he react this way? Is he justified?

Ida B. is relentless in her determination to run the new people off her land. What does she try to do to scare them off? Is she successful? Why, or why not?

What specific event shows Ida B. that she needs to make a change in her attitude and behavior? Are her "how to" plans successful? Why, or why not?

What do you think Ida B. means when she says "apologizing is like spring-cleaning"?

Fun & Adventure Beyond the Book

Learn more about author Katherine Hannigan at her website, and find out what she had to say about writing Ida B.

Ida B. loved her family's orchard. If you're interested in maintaining an orchard, this site has lots of information! The University of Vermont also has an extensive gardening website.

Camel's Hump Radio host Bill Harley thought that Ida B.'s parents could have talked to Ida B. a bit more about her mother's illness. The American Cancer Society's website has lots of information and suggestions to help families talk about cancer.

Ida B. had a hard time making new friends at school because of her attitude. This website has some tips for making friends.



If You Like This Book, Check Out...

Grace Greene, from the Vermont Department of Libraries, says if you liked Ida B., you’ll probably enjoy these books as well:

Companion Titles:

Sky Memories, by Pat Brisson (Delacorte, 1999)
When ten-year-old Emily learns that her mother has cancer, the two of them begin a ritual that will help Emily remember her mother after she is dead.

Everything on a Waffle, by Polly Horvath (FSG, 2001)
Eleven-year-old Primrose living in a small fishing village in British Columbia recounts her experiences and all that she learns about human nature and the unpredictability of life in the months after her parents are lost at sea.

Flipped, by Wendelin Van Draanen (Knopf, 2001)
In alternating chapters, two teenagers describe how their feelings about themselves, each other, and their families have changed over the years.