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TL;DR: Ida B. Applewood loves her life on her family's Wisconsin farm, where she is homeschooled and talks with the trees and the brook. Then her mother gets cancer, her parents must sell part of the land, and Ida B. has to go back to public school. Angry and hurt, she hardens her heart, until she learns how to forgive and open up again.
Table of Contents
Ida B. at a Glance
| Author | Katherine Hannigan |
| First published | 2004 |
| Type | Children's novel |
| Best for | young readers who want a heartfelt story about change, anger and healing |
Ida B. . . . and Her Plans to Maximize Fun, Avoid Disaster, and (Possibly) Save the World is a children's novel by Katherine Hannigan, published in 2004. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes a parent's cancer and family stress.
Main Characters
- Ida B. Applewood: A spirited, imaginative nine-year-old.
- Mama: Ida B.'s mother, who becomes ill.
- Daddy: Ida B.'s father, a farmer.
- Ms. Washington: Ida B.'s kind fourth-grade teacher.
- Rufus: Ida B.'s dog.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
Paradise
Ida B. lives on a farm with an apple orchard. After a bad experience in kindergarten, she is homeschooled. She spends her days exploring, talking to the trees, the brook and the mountain, and planning ways to have fun.
Bad news
Ida B.'s mother is diagnosed with cancer. The treatments are expensive, so her parents decide to sell part of their land, including some of her beloved trees, for new houses. Ida B. must go back to public school.
A hard heart
Ida B. feels betrayed. She decides to make her heart hard and refuses to be happy or kind. At school, she is rude to her classmates. She plots to scare away the new family that moves onto the land.
Ms. Washington
Her teacher, Ms. Washington, is patient and kind. She reads stories to the class and slowly helps Ida B. connect with others. Ida B. realizes she has been unfair to her family, her classmates and the new family's daughter, Claire.
Forgiveness
Ida B. apologizes to her father and to the new neighbors. She makes a friend at school and helps her family. As her mother recovers, Ida B. learns that change can bring new good things, and her heart softens again.
5 Key Takeaways
- Change can feel like betrayal at first.
- Anger can hide sadness and fear.
- Forgiveness heals both the forgiver and the forgiven.
- Kind teachers can change a child's life.
- Home is about people, not just places.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Hardening your heart hurts you most.
- It is brave to say sorry.
- New people can become friends if you let them in.
Who Should Read Ida B.?
Read Ida B. if you are a young reader dealing with change, illness in the family or anger. It suits ages 8 to 12.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Ida B.:
- Why does Ida B. decide to harden her heart?
- How does Ms. Washington help her?
- What changes Ida B.'s mind?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Ida B. is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Ida B., not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It is funny, heartfelt and honest about big feelings. Ida B. is a lively, memorable narrator.
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What to Read Next
- Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo: a lonely girl finds friends
- Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson: friendship and loss
- Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech: a girl copes with family loss
Related: 15 Books Like Ida B. You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Ida B. about?
A girl's happy farm life changes when her mother gets cancer, and she must learn to accept change.
Who wrote Ida B.?
Katherine Hannigan, in 2004.
Does Ida B.'s mother get better?
Yes, she begins to recover by the end.
Why does Ida B. go back to school?
Her family needs the time and money to care for her mother.
Who is Ms. Washington?
Ida B.'s kind teacher, who helps her open up.
Where is it set?
On a family farm in Wisconsin.
What age is it for?
About 8 to 12.
How long is it?
About 250 pages.
Does Ida B. talk to trees?
Yes, she imagines conversations with the trees and nature around her.
Did it win awards?
It won several state awards and was a popular choice for classrooms.
Who are the main characters in Ida B.?
The main characters are Ida B. Applewood, Mama, Daddy, Ms. Washington and Rufus. Ida B. Applewood: A spirited, imaginative nine-year-old. Mama: Ida B.'s mother, who becomes ill. Daddy: Ida B.'s father, a farmer.
Is Ida B. worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for young readers who want a heartfelt story about change, anger and healing. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.