After Ivy is forced to move to "the wrong side of the tracks" due to economic hard times, she discovers that not everything—or everyone—is what they seem, even herself. Fans of Jenny Han and Sarah Dessen will love this funny, poignant, and relatable story.
When Ivy Emerson's family loses their house—complete with her beloved piano—the fear of what's to come seizes her like a bad case of stage fright. Forced to give up her allowance, her cell phone, and the window seat in her lilac-colored bedroom, Ivy moves with her family from her affluent neighborhood to Lakeside, aka "the wrong side of the tracks." Hiding the truth from her friends—and the cute new guy in school, who may have secrets of his own—seems like a good idea at first. But when the bad-boy-next door threatens to ruin everything, Ivy's carefully crafted lies begin to unravel . . . and there is no way to stop them.
Once things get to the breaking point, Ivy turns to her music, some surprising new friends, and the trusting heart of her disabled little brother. And she may be surprised that not everyone is who she thought they were . . . including herself.
A poignant story of losing everything, finding yourself, and discovering that the last thing you expected might be the one thing you need most.
- Wrong Side of the Tracks: When Ivy’s family loses their fortune, she trades her lilac bedroom for a life in Lakeside, where keeping her past a secret is the only way to survive.
- Bad Boy Romance: Lennie Lazarski lives next door, and he knows her secret. He’s the one person who could ruin everything for Ivy—or be the only one who truly understands her.
- Finding Your Voice: After losing her beloved piano, Ivy must find a new way to express herself through music and learn to speak the truth about her new life.
- Heartfelt Family Drama: With a disabled younger brother to protect and parents struggling to hold it all together, Ivy learns that family is more than the house you live in.
