Starred Review Indigo and Ida

  • Interest Level: Grade 5 - Grade 7
  • Reading Level: Grade 6

When eighth grader and aspiring journalist Indigo breaks an important story, exposing an unfair school policy, she’s suddenly popular for the first time.

The friends who’ve recently drifted away from her want to hang out again. Then Indigo notices that the school’s disciplinary policies seem to be enforced especially harshly with students of color, like her. She wants to keep investigating, but her friends insist she’s imagining things.

Meanwhile, Indigo stumbles upon a book by Black journalist and activist Ida B. Wells—with private letters written by Ida tucked inside. As she reads about Ida’s lifelong battle against racism, Indigo realizes she must choose between keeping quiet and fighting for justice.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-6768-9
$14.99
979-8-7656-4333-4
$12.99
978-1-7284-7941-5
$24.99
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Interest Level Grade 5 - Grade 7
Reading Level Grade 6
Category Diverse Books: Race & Ethnicity, Diverse Books: Social Justice, Diversity, SEL: A Self-Awareness, SEL: B Self-Management, SEL: C Social Awareness, SEL: E Responsible Decision-Making, Social Emotional Learning
Copyright 2023
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Carolrhoda Books ®
Language English
Number of Pages 312
Publication Date 2023-04-04
Text Type Fiction
BISACS JUV039290, JUV039120, JUV011010
Dewey [Fic]
Dimensions 5.25 x 7.5
Guided Reading Level Y
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Author/Illustrator note, Awards, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, and eSource

Awards

  • Notable Award Bank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2024, Winner, 2024
  • Social Justice Literature Award, Winner, 2024
  • Booklist Top 10 First Novels for Youth Selection, Winner, 2023
  • Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist, Short-listed, 2023

Reviews

Starred Review Shelf Awareness

“[A] powerful and climactic contemporary novel.”—starred, Shelf Awareness

Starred Review Booklist

“Indigo is a relatable and sympathetic character, and the social justice issues she champions at her school are timely and ring true. Readers will be inspired by Indigo’s passion and compelled to read more about Wells, too.”—starred, Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“In Capps’s endearing debut, biracial (white and Black) eighth grader Indigo Fitzgerald faces scrutiny and microaggressions from her peers during her campaign for class president. . . . Forthright conversations surrounding privilege between Indigo and her white mother further elevate this complex depiction of race and discrimination.”—Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“This lively middle-grade novel successfully captures the turmoil of finding one’s place while navigating the various demands of growing up. . . . A satisfying story that demonstrates how the past can shed light on the present.”—Kirkus Reviews

Chad Lucas

“Put this in the hands of every kid who’s ready to change the world.”—Chad Lucas, author of Thanks a Lot, Universe and Let the Monster Out

Cindy Baldwin

“Engaging, important, and impossible to put down.”—Cindy Baldwin, author of Where the Watermelons Grow and The Stars of Whistling Ridge

Christina Li

“Powerful and emotionally resonant, Indigo and Ida is a poignant story about taking a stand for justice and speaking one’s truth.”—Christina Li, author of Clues to the Universe

Amanda Rawson Hill

“I enjoyed every page!” —Amanda Rawson Hill, author of The Hope of Elephants