Izzy, Willy-Nilly

Voigt, C. (1986). Izzy, willy-nilly. New York: Atheneum. ISBN 1416903399

Plot Summary

                       Izzy has a wonderful life.  She is a popular cheerleader with three close girlfriends and when a handsome senior, Marco, asks her on a date, she happily accepts.  But at the party they attend, Marco drinks too much and Izzy gets in the car with him against her better judgment.  There is a terrible accident on the way home caused by Marco’s reckless driving.  When Izzy wakes up in the hospital, she is shocked to learn that one of her legs was so damaged it had to be amputated.  Izzy’s entire life as she knew it is over.  She can no longer be a cheerleader.  Her friends are too uncomfortable to relax around her so they retreat.  The easy confidence she took for granted before the accident has vanished.  Izzy must change everything about her life.  A new friend makes this transition easier – the brash and outcast Rosamunde who is not scared away by Izzy’s trauma – as well as the therapist that helps Izzy come to terms with her disability.  This story is about Izzy’s recovery and the strength she never knew she had, and about the lasting effects pf the choices we make.

Critical Analysis

                            This story addresses a number of heavy issues, such as underage drinking, coping with physical disability, self-esteem, and popularity and acceptance.  Izzy takes her mobility, her social status, and her looks for granted before these things are taken away from her based on a decision she knows she should not have made.  This is a tough lesson to learn.  Izzy deals with deep depression and discouragement following the accident, just as any real teen would.  The pace of this book is somewhat slow and laborious, but this is in keeping with Izzy’s difficult recovery and her reluctance to make peace with her new body.  Despite the pace, however, this is not a slow, dirge-like read.  The story is arresting, Izzy’s plight and her difficulty coming to terms is completely understandable, and Voigt adds in details that make her struggle relatable and memorable.  For example, when Izzy’s parents bring home over sized baby diaper pins to pin up the empty leg of her jeans, Izzy is horrified and humiliated.  This kind of detail resonates with the reader.  The surrounding characters are realistic in their complexity and in their sometimes unlikeable traits.  Izzy’s former friends who are too disturbed by what happened to her to remain close are not likable, but their reaction is one that real teens would have.  Izzy’s well-meaning parents are equally uncomfortable and periodically clueless.  Rosamunde is blunt and annoying at times, but her loyalty and originality shine through, making her a great character and ultimately Izzy’s salvation.  While it is true that this book could be seen as something of a cautionary tale, preaching to young adults about the dangers of underage drinking and getting in the car with a drunk driver, this is not the only or even the main thrust of this novel.  Really this is a story of survival and change, and Izzy’s character far outweighs a hollow morality lesson. 

Reader’s Annotation

                                  Following a terrible accident caused by a drunk driver, Izzy must adjust to the loss of one of her legs.  The easy, trouble-free life she enjoyed before this trauma is gone and it is up to her to make her peace with the changes.

About the Author

                           Cynthia Voigt was born into a family of five children.  During childhood she enjoyed school and excelled in any subjects that  involved reading or writing.  She continued on to college, which she did not enjoy, but graduated on time regardless.  Following this she worked a number of jobs including nanny, office staff, secretary, waitress, and teacher, before finally becoming a full-time writer.  She spends her time writing and being with her children and grandchildren.

                            Voigt has written many books for children and young adults.  One of her most celebrated is Dicey's Song, which was a Newberry Medal winner.  She has won many other awards such as the Margaret Edwards Award, the Young Reader Award, and the Katahdin Award for lifetime achievement.

Genre

        Issues - death, disability and disease (injury)

Challenge Issues

                          Possible challenge issues in this book include underage drinking and drunk driving.  In the event of a challenge, I would consult the challenge defense file prepared for this book.  The challenge defense file would include: positive reviews from credible sources for the purpose of proving merit to the challenger; negative reviews in order to inform me on what might be challenged; a written explanation of my own rationale for including the book in the collection as well as a summary of the plot; the American Library Association Bill of Rights; a review of my branch’s selection policy; and, as a last resort, an explanation of the reconsideration policy for my library and an official reconsideration form.

Curriculum Ties

                        English and Writing: story arc and character development.

Booktalk

             Sometimes one bad decision can echo forever.  That’s what happens to Izzy, when she decides to get in the car with a drunk driver and loses her leg in a terrible accident.  Think about how you would cope if suddenly you were unable to do the things you used to do, all the things you take for granted.  Izzy has to start her life over in many basic ways and there is nothing easy about it, but she gains a great deal from her struggles.

Reading Level and Interest Age

                                               Grades 7-11.

                                                  

Why I Included This Book

                                       I remember reading this book and how different it was from anything I had read before.  Certain details stayed with me forever – like Izzy's embarrassment at having to use diaper pins with pastel plastic animal heads on them to pin up her empty pants leg.  While it’s true that this does read like a morality tale, it is deeper than simply a lesson for teens to avoid drunk driving.  Izzy  is a sympathetic character and teens will relate to her struggle and maybe, just maybe, think twice before they get in the car with a drunk driver or get behind the wheel themselves.        

References
Voigt, C. (n.d.). Author biography. Retrieved from http://www.cynthiavoigt.com/biography.php

Voigt, C. (n.d.). Books by Cynthia Voigt. Retrieved from http://www.cynthiavoigt.com/books.php