Portrait of Ivan

by Paula Fox

An eleven-year-old boy gains a new understanding of himself and his father after a trip to Florida with unusual people.

Genres: Childrens

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1969

About the author

Paula Fox was an American author of novels for adults and children and two memoirs. Her novel The Slave Dancer (1973) received the Newbery Medal in 1974; and in 1978, she was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal. More recently, A Portrait of Ivan won the Deutscher Jugendliteraturpreis in 2008.

A teenage marriage produced a daughter, Linda, in 1944. Given the tumultuous relationship with her own biological parents, she gave the child up for adoption. Linda Carroll, the daughter Fox gave up for adoption, is the mother of musician Courtney Love.

Fox then attended Columbia University, married the literary critic and translator Martin Greenberg, raised two sons, taught, and began to write.

Reviews

[Duane · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a very interesting book. I really believe you have to read it numerous times to really get the detail and meaning behind so many of the characters and situations. Not a enjoyable read, but I do believe it's a read that will effect you. It makes you think and in the end, what's really wrong with that?

[Jaden]

Realistic Fiction

This is a story about an 11-year-old boy named Ivan who can’t sit still as he is being painted. As he is being painted Miss Manderby was reading aloud from the corner. Ivan tells her he has never been read to before. He creates a very strong relationship with the painter, whose name is Matt, and Miss Manderby. Matt has to go to Florida to paint pictures of a house that is going to be turned into a country club. The owner wants Matt to paint the house, so nobody forgets about it and they can see what it once looked like. He invites Ivan and Miss Manderby and her cat to go along with him in a very old car. Ivan’s father gives him permission. When they got to Florida Ivan met a young girl named Geneva who he starts spending time with. They become best friends. At the end of his trip, Ivan’s father comes to take them back on an airplane. He says goodbye to Geneva holding back tears. When he got back home Matt painted a portrait of Geneva for Ivan.

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

seit jahren eines der bücher, das immer aus dem regal herausgezogen wird, wenn ich nachts nicht einschlafen kann. - und bei jedem lesen, werden andere zitate unterstrichen
ein wunderschönes buch