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Violet Ink
Violet Ink by Rebecca Westcott, author of Dandelion Clocks, is a beautiful and brilliant story of two sisters, which fans of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson will love. Quiet, contemplative Izzy has always adored her charismatic, confident older sister, Alex. But when Alex starts going out with a new boyfriend, everything changes. Izzy isn't sure she can still trust her sister - but she will never stop loving her. Letters from Alex, written in her distinctive purple pen, keep their relationship alive . . .
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 3, 2014
11 people are currently reading
191 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Westcott
16 books76 followersRebecca Westcott was born in Chester. She went to Exeter University to train as a teacher and has had a variety of teaching jobs that have taken her to some very interesting places, including a Category C male prison. She started writing a diary when she was eight years old, although she had no idea that one day her entries would be used to help her write a book. Rebecca currently teaches in a primary school and lives in Dorset with her husband and three children. Dandelion Clocks is her first book.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
June 14, 2017
A sweet book showing how Izzy copes with a life-changing event in her family.
Izzy and her sister have always been close. Then Alex seems to change. Izzy takes a while to workout why, but it's a major upheaval.
Izzy veers between cute and rather naive. Her older sister is really quite selfish, but there's a happy ending so everything works out okay.
Younger readers might like it a lot. I found the tone a little patronising and story unrealistic.
Izzy and her sister have always been close. Then Alex seems to change. Izzy takes a while to workout why, but it's a major upheaval.
Izzy veers between cute and rather naive. Her older sister is really quite selfish, but there's a happy ending so everything works out okay.
Younger readers might like it a lot. I found the tone a little patronising and story unrealistic.
January 10, 2015
It's a amazing book and I absolutely love it. I hope to read more of Rebecca Wescott's book in the future.
September 22, 2016
3.5 stars (i think?)
October 27, 2015
1) I chose this book because of the cover and the title. I’m easily attracted to bright and simple colors with not many things crowding the front cover. I’m not sure why I liked the title ‘Violet Ink’. I guess it just made me want to find out what it meant. No one had recommended the book to me. I just saw it in a book store. From reading the blurb, I’m expecting this book to be made of the letters the two sisters send each other from the different places they are in. Looking forward to start reading this book!
2) I’ve reached the middle of the book and there’s a lot of things going through my mind right now. At the start of the book, I saw the big sister, Alex, as a happy, loud and always caring person. But now I see that she is a moody, rude and arrogant person who, although she loves her younger sister very much, sometimes forgets to show it. Izzy, on the other hand, who is the younger sister hasn’t changed much, except for gaining more and more courage. But she doesn’t realise that yet! Throughout the book she has been a quiet, sensitive and well behaved child who is always blackmailed into covering for Alex. The story line has been really good. At some points it can get a bit repetitive but it quickly turns back around into juicy twists and turns! I like the story because even though I can’t relate to what’s happening to the characters, I can understand the way that they feel. I understand how they feel shocked, terrified, happy, tearful, hopeless and overjoyed. This book has made my heart drop so many times and I love the way the whole story can change all of a sudden.
3) Now that I’ve reached the end of the book I can really see the whole story. The book has made me feel confident but scared, happy but sad, and relieved, satisfied and again, very satisfied. I’m really happy that things worked out with Izzy’s family but I’m still not sure if Alex has learned to trust her family. All I know, is that she was glad she told them her secret. But will she tell them her secrets in her years to come? This book has definitely met my expectations. It was an enjoyable book to read and I hope that the author will make a sequel. I especially liked the last couple of pages when everything was settling in because it sounded like it was ending with a new beginning. Like everything was fitting into place and now, Izzy’s life would really start. The whole book, Izzy hates violet, but at the end she says ‘’we got there, Violet. We made it yellow.’’ Now she thinks of her and Violet as a team because Izzy finally got her ‘’mellow yellow year of happiness.’’ Because of Violet. Overall, I loved this book. It leaves you with such a good feeling!
2) I’ve reached the middle of the book and there’s a lot of things going through my mind right now. At the start of the book, I saw the big sister, Alex, as a happy, loud and always caring person. But now I see that she is a moody, rude and arrogant person who, although she loves her younger sister very much, sometimes forgets to show it. Izzy, on the other hand, who is the younger sister hasn’t changed much, except for gaining more and more courage. But she doesn’t realise that yet! Throughout the book she has been a quiet, sensitive and well behaved child who is always blackmailed into covering for Alex. The story line has been really good. At some points it can get a bit repetitive but it quickly turns back around into juicy twists and turns! I like the story because even though I can’t relate to what’s happening to the characters, I can understand the way that they feel. I understand how they feel shocked, terrified, happy, tearful, hopeless and overjoyed. This book has made my heart drop so many times and I love the way the whole story can change all of a sudden.
3) Now that I’ve reached the end of the book I can really see the whole story. The book has made me feel confident but scared, happy but sad, and relieved, satisfied and again, very satisfied. I’m really happy that things worked out with Izzy’s family but I’m still not sure if Alex has learned to trust her family. All I know, is that she was glad she told them her secret. But will she tell them her secrets in her years to come? This book has definitely met my expectations. It was an enjoyable book to read and I hope that the author will make a sequel. I especially liked the last couple of pages when everything was settling in because it sounded like it was ending with a new beginning. Like everything was fitting into place and now, Izzy’s life would really start. The whole book, Izzy hates violet, but at the end she says ‘’we got there, Violet. We made it yellow.’’ Now she thinks of her and Violet as a team because Izzy finally got her ‘’mellow yellow year of happiness.’’ Because of Violet. Overall, I loved this book. It leaves you with such a good feeling!
January 2, 2015
Wow. This book really surprised me and for two main reasons:
1. This book made me cry.
Now this isn't an easy thing to do. In fact, as i write this i cannot think of a single book that has made cry. And violet ink did.
All i know is one minute my heart is breaking for izzy and the next minute, tears are welling in my eyes.
2. I could relate to both Iggy and Alex.
This book has been staring at me for ages with it's gorgeous purple cover and for the longest time i believed i had out grown this book. I mean, it is middle grade. Maybe 3 years back would have been better...
But I was wrong. For a middle grade book it really divulged into serious topics eg. Teenage pregnancy, disfunctional families and the struggles of being wanted and loved.
I'm in a unique position because i really do feel like Izzy sometimes - alone, un wanted, nothing special compared to her best friend and elder sister.
But i know that to my younger brother, I am Alex. Emotional and creative and a person he looks up to.
I think this book is absolutely perfect for 12-13 year old, not only because that's the age of the protagonist, but also because it's a great way to introduce the serious topics discussed in the book.
3.5/ 5 stars.
What an excellent way to start the new year
1. This book made me cry.
Now this isn't an easy thing to do. In fact, as i write this i cannot think of a single book that has made cry. And violet ink did.
All i know is one minute my heart is breaking for izzy and the next minute, tears are welling in my eyes.
2. I could relate to both Iggy and Alex.
This book has been staring at me for ages with it's gorgeous purple cover and for the longest time i believed i had out grown this book. I mean, it is middle grade. Maybe 3 years back would have been better...
But I was wrong. For a middle grade book it really divulged into serious topics eg. Teenage pregnancy, disfunctional families and the struggles of being wanted and loved.
I'm in a unique position because i really do feel like Izzy sometimes - alone, un wanted, nothing special compared to her best friend and elder sister.
But i know that to my younger brother, I am Alex. Emotional and creative and a person he looks up to.
I think this book is absolutely perfect for 12-13 year old, not only because that's the age of the protagonist, but also because it's a great way to introduce the serious topics discussed in the book.
3.5/ 5 stars.
What an excellent way to start the new year
March 3, 2015
Once again another stunning tale from Rebecca Westcott. She crafts her tales so that they capture the questions and innocence of the young protagonists, but still provide enough clues for the audience to understand what is going on.
A story about making mistakes and learning from them, I would read and recommend this to everyone!
A story about making mistakes and learning from them, I would read and recommend this to everyone!
September 6, 2015
It was a nice book.. It made me cry! The relation between both the sisters is amazing! Love u Izzy!
June 15, 2016
Loved the main character and how it dealt with jealousy, growing up, learning that nobody is perfect, self-acceptance - highly recommend! Also, I want a Finn in my life.
June 24, 2018
This is book is amazing! I have a big thing for covers and this one was amazing! I loved Izzy, but the only thing I would say is that she acts a bit young for her age. It’s not really her actions, just her voice. She’s 13 (?) and she speaks like she’s 9 at times. Calling the baby ‘Bad-News’ and thinking that the baby was going to take over the family like an alien were examples of this. Apart from that, amazing book! Would definitely recommend ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 27, 2020
I read this book because it is rarely on the shelf in our school library. I asked a year 7 student who was reserving it what drew her to the book and she said her friends told her it was important. I asked one of her friends (with her at the time), she thought very carefully and said “no spoilers, but an important quote is - every cloud has a silver lining”! That’s good enough for me and I can see why they love it - and we are on our 2nd Library copy as 1st one worn out.
June 20, 2025
This is a well-written story about a girl who experiences a lot in one year and relies on her mood ring for clues on if it's bad or not.
She adores her big sister, crushes on one of her sister's friends/bandmates and nagivates ilfe as best she can after she scored a basketball shot..in the wrong hoop.
I loved the relationship between Izzy and her sister.
She adores her big sister, crushes on one of her sister's friends/bandmates and nagivates ilfe as best she can after she scored a basketball shot..in the wrong hoop.
I loved the relationship between Izzy and her sister.
October 8, 2017
Personally, I didn't like this book as I didn't think it had 'age appropriate' themes in it for the sort of age I thought it was written for. I liked the style of Rebecca Westcott's writing however and I would most happily read another of her books.
August 13, 2019
Had a stroke trying to get through Izzy’s poems but on a whole, I really enjoyed this story. (Though Izzy did act quite immaturely for her age and her reaction to Alex’s baby, Violet, was utterly ridiculous).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 19, 2022
this book was truly eye catching I read this a few year prior and I really felt my love of reading came from this book.I really enjoy the sister relations they have,it brings them closer even with the what strikes and is also seen with the mother,it leads them to feel real and bond more
July 15, 2021
3.5 stars. Loved the writing style.
November 13, 2021
Loved it sm
Read
May 16, 2023Good
June 3, 2023
Amazing. Absolutely loved the plot and the sweet ending. Perfect story for a teen
June 4, 2025
An old book I’m just adding now.
January 16, 2024
favorite book from childhood. the only one i can remember rereading. she will always have a place on my shelf <3
March 6, 2017
I ABSOLUTLEY LOVED THIS BOOK! It made me cry.... and that's practically impossible for someone like me.
June 16, 2022
Picking up this book on the last day of the Lifeline Bookfair, the thing that stuck out to me was the cover. I don't think I’ve read a violet book before (not if you don’t count Little Women, but that's more of a purple) nor a book that starts with a V, at least not that I remember. Was the inside just as intriguing as the outside?
No, not particularly, but it doesn’t have to be for a tween book. It tells the story of two sisters, Izzy and Alex, who are five years apart. It deals with teen pregnancy and overcoming change, as well as accepting your mistakes.
It was actually a pleasant read. I do like reading tween literature as the stories are easy to tackle, though there were some problems with writing. Mainly at some points, the dialogue seems forced and overly too cheery, though that was only a handful of times. Alex annoyed me mostly as a character, but that's probably just me hating her naivety and lack of good decision-making skills, which we’ve all been through as a teenager. The weird poems in between chapters don’t add to the story in my opinion, since we already know how Izzy is feeling.
Rating: 7/10
No, not particularly, but it doesn’t have to be for a tween book. It tells the story of two sisters, Izzy and Alex, who are five years apart. It deals with teen pregnancy and overcoming change, as well as accepting your mistakes.
It was actually a pleasant read. I do like reading tween literature as the stories are easy to tackle, though there were some problems with writing. Mainly at some points, the dialogue seems forced and overly too cheery, though that was only a handful of times. Alex annoyed me mostly as a character, but that's probably just me hating her naivety and lack of good decision-making skills, which we’ve all been through as a teenager. The weird poems in between chapters don’t add to the story in my opinion, since we already know how Izzy is feeling.
Rating: 7/10
July 28, 2014
Violet Ink by Rebecca Westcott, author of Dandelion Clocks, is a beautiful and brilliant story of two sisters, which fans of Cathy Cassidy and Jacqueline Wilson will love. Quiet, contemplative Izzy has always adored her charismatic, confident older sister, Alex. But when Alex starts going out with a new boyfriend, everything changes. Izzy isn't sure she can still trust her sister - but she will never stop loving her. Letters from Alex, written in her distinctive purple pen, keep their relationship alive...
A lovely story, beautifully written. The relationship between the sisters is so well described, I never have any doubt that I'm reading the thoughts of a 12 year old (or 10 year old, never quite sure about her age). The girls' relationship with their mother is also very true to life and there's a lot of humour. Only just misses being a 5-star.
A lovely story, beautifully written. The relationship between the sisters is so well described, I never have any doubt that I'm reading the thoughts of a 12 year old (or 10 year old, never quite sure about her age). The girls' relationship with their mother is also very true to life and there's a lot of humour. Only just misses being a 5-star.
June 15, 2015
My thought on this book was so emotional. The writer described the main characters pain when her sister ran away pregnant so strongly. It also made me think of the realisation with this unfair life and realising this happens to many young couples and knowing it might turn out bad. I love Rebecca Westcotts books so much, they make me think of life in a different sad way that makes me want to try do things better in the world, Rebecca and her books very much inspire me and I really would recommend this book to anyone who is feeling down and they will hopefully be inspired as I was and give them a boost in life.
February 7, 2017
I read this as my daughter asked me to because she loved it. She is 11. It was a really good read and we have had lots of discussion around the contents of the story
January 15, 2016
The characters of the book was PERECT. It made me tear up a little near the end. I feel like most teenagers may be able to relate to the sister's emotions and thoughts and most of us were like the younger sister. The middle of the mess. None the less, I recommend it you if you haven't read it yet :)
September 4, 2016
i wasn't very fond of this book, the thing i really liked were the poems Izzy wrote that popped up around the book. it was very boring near the end and start. but i really liked that it was of the little sisters view instead of the character that went through most of the problems (Alex). overall i wouldn't read the book again.
July 11, 2014
Makes you laugh and cry...incredibly well written!
February 4, 2015
This is a heart-warming book but it is quite alarming at times. If you have this book and you feel apart or angry, just read some of this book.
May 20, 2015
Warning... a tiny, little spoiler!
Love, love, love this book! Rebecca covers tough subjects with ease! Made me think about subjects (spoiler:young pregnancy!) in a new light; really inspiring!
Love, love, love this book! Rebecca covers tough subjects with ease! Made me think about subjects (spoiler:young pregnancy!) in a new light; really inspiring!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews