Poison Ivy

Koss, A. G. (2006). Poison Ivy. New Milford, CT: Roaring Brook Press

Plot Description: The Evil Three, Ann, Sophie and Benita, are on trial in their government class for being mean and torturing Ivy, or as everyone calls her, Poison Ivy. They have been at it for years and everyone in the class knows it, but most are too afraid to speak up or desperately want to be a part of their group. There is a surprising ending where good does not always triumph evil, and sometimes things don't work out the way they should.

Genre: Realistic Fiction

Age Group: This book is appropriate for grades 6-9.

Series Information/Similar Books: Some other books that deal with the same type of issues are The Girls and The Cheat also by Amy Koss.

Personal Thought: This book accurately portrays how out of hand bullying can become in school. Many of the characters are easy to relate too. It looks at all the issues from eight student’s points of view and gives a great perspective on how different minds think.

Subject/Themes: Cliques, Bullying

Character Description: Ivy is a middle-schooler who is the plaintiff in the trial. She has been picked on and tortured for years by Ann, Benita and Sophie. She is a loner in school and does not have many friends. In order to deal with the humiliation and pain she often uses the sea its creatures as analogies to describe things.

Marco is considers himself a nerd and mostly keeps to himself. He is also a juror on the trial.

Ann is the leader of Sophie and Benita (The Evil Three), who have been picking on Ivy for years. She is beautiful and popular but most students are afraid of her. She is selfish and does not care who she hurts. She has a huge crush on Marco but he does not seem to notice her.

Daria is Ivy’s lawyer. She is painfully shy, but also extremely intelligent. When she gets upset she prefers to escape through reading.

Ms. Gold is the government teacher who is under investigation. She is very excited that she finally has an issue that can be used in the Mock court. She has favorite students in the class.

Cameron is a laid back student who is new to school and on the track team. He is the process server who falls asleep a lot during class.

Annotation: If you have ever been in middle school you know how desperately everyone wants to fit in and be part of the popular crowd. This school is no different but these popular girls known as "The Evil Three" take their status to a new level through their constant terrorization of a fellow classmate, Ivy. Listen to the various narratives from students in the class during a mock trial to determine how you think this story should end.