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
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% off list price on hardcovers and ebooks when you buy direct! Digital purchases will be accessed on Lerner Digital Bookshelf. An account will be created for you after purchase.
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, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Heather Murphy Capps

Heather Murphy Capps grew up in a small Minnesota town where the motto is “Cows, Colleges, and Contentment.” She spent fifteen years as a television news journalist before deciding to focus on her favorite kind of writing: books for kids involving history, social justice, science, mystery, and a touch of magic. A mixed-race author committed to diversity in publishing, she lives in Northern Virginia with her husband, two kids, two cats, and yes, even some cows, colleges, and contentment.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Indigo and Ida

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… View available downloads →

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Awards

  • 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

Shelf Awareness

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

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