The Elephant in the Ivy

by Alexander Greengaard

"An entertaining romp that celebrates friendship, performance, and the controlled chaos of university life." — Kirkus Reviews

The Elephant in the Ivy is a whimsical and irreverent spy novel—of sorts—in the beautiful and mysterious New England college underground.

Alison Ashe is a junior at Bauer College. A scholarship kid, a theatre major, strapped for cash and even more strapped for time; she’s easily annoyed and something about her privileged peers really wigs her out. But unlike most of her peers, Alison has an outlet where starting on third base doesn’t do anyone any favors. Ancient and secret, Bauer is home to a spy game of sorts. A game where all that matters is that your wits are sharp and you’re willing to take big risks. And, of course, who you trust.

Praise for The Elephant in the Ivy:

"It's a real book!" -Danyelle Khmara, Arizona Public Media

"A rollicking heist of a book. Alison Ashe will trick you, and you'll thank her for it." -Grace Olsen, WMHC Radio

Written with support from Pima Open Digital Press, an open educational resource initiative at Pima Community College.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Ebooks

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 25, 2025

About the author

Alexander Greengaard, MFA is an Instructor/Lecturer in the IBEST Program at Pima Community College. He works with students who have faced barriers to education and fights to break those barriers through integrated education and training initiatives, partnerships between basic education and college trade certification programs, and developing open educational materials. Alexander is also the founder of Troubadour, an arts education organization that provides theatre programs to economically marginalized families.

Reviews

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC for review. Published October 25, 2025.

3 stars

Alison Ashe is a junior scholarship student at Brown. She and her mother are from town; he mother works a low wage job in retail and Alison is part of the theatre department which is doing “Hamlet” this semester.

Alison is also part of a campus-wide game which combines capture the flag and spy vs. spy and the game makes her life very exciting and also introduces her to new people, like teammate Paige, a former gymnast. She’s also trying to nail down her major; will Alison be able to succeed in the game and make the tough decisions she needs to?

I loved the idea of the game, but to actually play would stress me out beyond belief. I have to believe there are versions of this being played at a number of college campuses. I liked the sections where the students are preparing for the play. From reading some of the material before the book I understand that the text is supposed to be free for…..someone. I wasn’t clear. Some type of student access. Maybe at community colleges? Just wonder how much a CC student will want to read about Ivy League students. The book was fine.

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard Review

The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard is a whimsical, clever YA campus novel that blends elements of spy intrigue, satire, and college life into an unusual and engaging story. The narrative follows Alison Ashe, a scholarship student and theatre major at a prestigious New England university called Bauer College, where she is juggling academic stress, financial strain, and social pressures from classmates who come from privilege. What makes this setting extraordinary is an ancient, secret campus “spy game” run by faculty and students, where teams representing academic departments engage in strategic missions involving stealth, alliances, and theft of prized ivory figurines called Rajas. Alliances shift, trust falters and renews, and Alison’s participation pushes her to sharpen her wit, test loyalties, and examine what it really means to belong and succeed in an elite environment. This story is as much about identity, performance, friendship, and personal grit as it is about undercover missions in lecture halls and libraries.

What I most enjoyed about this book was how it transformed college life into something thrilling and heartfelt at once, where departmental rivalry becomes a metaphor for belonging and ambition. Alison is a wonderfully vivid protagonist, someone who feels deeply human in her insecurities, intelligence and humor, and the game she enters becomes a fun but meaningful arena where she pushes beyond her limits and learns to trust others.

The novel’s tone is often witty and irreverent, celebrating friendship, performance, problem‑solving and the occasional academic chaos without ever losing emotional depth. Some moments may feel a bit chaotic or confusing at first as the rules of the game unfold, but soon enough the pleasure of clever strategies, surprising twists, and authentic character growth carries you forward. The novel is perfect for readers who appreciate lighthearted campus stories with big heart, inventive world‑building, and characters who grow by figuring out who they are alongside who they want to trust.

Rating: 4 out of 5
Because the smart humor, engaging spy‑like campus plot and heartfelt character growth made this a playful and thought‑provoking read.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this book! Main female characters are delightfully complex (and SASSY!).
My only 'note' is that I felt the first chapter was difficult, and I almost didn't keep reading.
I'm SO GLAD I stuck with it ... and I was totally hooked by the end of chapter 2.
The ending was FABULOUS.

[Mag · Rating 5 out of 5]

Epic ending

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Woohoo!! I finished it! Yay! I swear I don’t want to be in a slump, book fair starts next month 😭

This was okay, I didn’t love it but I like it still. It was also a bit hard to read since there was no option to increase the letter size, so I opted to changing the font. Which did make it slightly easier.

In the mysterious New England Bauer college, Alison Ashe is a junior. Easily annoyed with a scholarship and a theatre major. With almost no time and little money, Alison is willing to take big risks.

It also talks about poverty and how Allison has to control how she uses the money she has, liked this quote in correlation with this, though I can’t find it.

In another notion, I did highlight this two that might be interesting to share as well:
“This game is the first thing I've experienced with any semblance of an even playing field. As much as they talk down and condescend, they don't cheat. So, if I'm at my best, I can, for the first time in my life, face the world with a pinch of objectivity. Without wondering about the role of my circumstances on my outcomes.”

“Mind, a person can be quiet all day and still not be a quiet person.”

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this arc.

[Rmplift, Rachel Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won my free copy from Goodreads Giveaways

[Kimberly Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Elephant in the Ivy is a fun and engaging novel that mixes campus life, mystery, and humor. It follows Alison, a college student turned spy, as she navigates secrets, ambition, and friendship. Perfect for those who enjoy a quick and easy read with relatable characters and surprising twists.

Thank you to the author, Prima Open Digital Press and NetGalley for the digital ARC.

[Samantha✨ [reads everythinggggg] · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25/5⭐️ I received The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard through a Goodreads giveaway, and after reading the introduction, I was excited to start. I love learning about an author’s intent and the reasons behind why a book was written, and that aspect really stood out to me. I also appreciated how the author explained how this book is meant to be used, and I agree with that approach.

This story feels geared toward a YA audience, but it’s also a quick, enjoyable read for adults—especially for those who are just getting into reading. The beginning was a bit confusing, but after the first few chapters, I realized it wasn’t just a spy story; it also had a capture-the-flag–style element, which made it fun and engaging.

Some parts felt slow, and there were moments of confusion, but overall I followed the story and found myself laughing at certain scenes and on edge during others. I thought the character development was well done, and I really enjoyed the ending.

Also, I loved the playlist included—such a fun and clever touch!

Thank you to the author and publisher for this book.

[Krista J. Leach · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fun read, and a wild ride! In The Elephant in the Ivy, Alexander Greenguard uses vivid descriptions to transport you to  an ancient spy game at the mysterious Bauer College. The book is full of quirky characters and focuses on a theatre major named Alison. She tries to balance her Junior-year requirements, caring for her mother, and playing a risky college spy game. But who can you trust in a game of cloak and dagger? The game and its players are full of surprises, and so is Alison. The dialogue of the theatre students and cast members is smart and witty. 

My favorite thing about this book is how often music is mentioned. The main character, Alison, almost always has earbuds in and chooses songs as a soundtrack to her life. Each song she listens to blends into the narrative, and I enjoyed listening to many of them while reading. The twists and surprises are around every corner. Lovers of mysteries and theatre will enjoy this one!

[lovelettersandlore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book surprised me in the best way. I went in not knowing what to expect, and ended up completely wrapped up in the quiet mystery and the emotional layers woven into the story. I kept wanting to read “one more chapter” because the unraveling of the story is so soft, slow, and elegant. It’s the kind of book that feels like a secret you’re being trusted with. And by the end? I was honestly sitting there like… okay, that was really good.

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ocean 11, meets a student society of James Bond spy craft, and University student stresses mixed together. Starts well, and as needed in this sort of genre a great reveal at the end. Set in Ivy League Brown, but accessible for all. (Which in part is the authors intent.) There’s lots of humour, and inventiveness as the student ‘Spy club’ factions fight it out to be the cream of the crop. Deceit is the name of the game, as is handing in assignments on time, and maybe the whole performance would have Shakespeare turning in his grave. But then again my fair companions, he’s not adverse to comedy. Thank you to Pima Open Digital Press and NetGalley for the ARC. The views expressed are all mine, freely given.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very fun book to read! The first chapter was a little hard to grasp what was going on, but as soon as I started reading the second chapter, it made sense and became a delight to read! I really enjoyed the author's use of a playlist of songs to complement the narrative in the book. A very creative short novel indeed!

[Andy Cretcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that reminds you reading can be both smart and super fun. Greengaard’s writing is witty, breezy, and will make you laugh at all the right moments. It’s a playful, charming read that never tries too hard — the literary equivalent of a friend who’s effortlessly cool but still happy to joke around with you. It is fun, quirky, and an easy yes.

[Veronica Macias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one wasn’t totally my kind of book, but I still found myself drawn in. The writing is really thoughtful, and there’s this quiet, heavy mood that fits the story perfectly. I liked how flawed and human the characters felt especially the main character, who’s just trying to figure herself out while everything around her feels uncertain. Some parts moved a little slow for me, but there were moments that really hit. Overall I give this book a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars!

[Hudson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this novel from a goodreads giveaway, but for those interested it is also available online

The Elephant in the Ivy is described as a spy novel of sorts in which students at Brown University compete in a game similar to capture the flag. The main characters are part of the Theater department, who are notorious for coming in last place every year. The Engineers, on the other hand, are the reigning champions, but have a target on their back as a result of it. The protagonist of the novel is Alison Ashe, a scholarship student involved in too many activities (which is helpful for character building, but not for the plot).

I had a lot of questions while reading this book. There wasn't a lot going on but at the same time there was enough to leave me confused. It felt like a lot of elements were just thrown in and lacked the development needed to leave an impact. For example, Alison's mom is a diabetic and a hoarder. There are very few scenes in the novel that explore this "who mothers whom" dynamic and honestly didn't do anything to improve the plot. It kind of highlights how Alison is a scholarship student and resents her classmates who got into Brown because of legacy. But I think the book could have done just as fine without this subplot.

Another thing that bothered me was the dialogue. It felt like the characters were talking at each other rather than holding an actual conversation. Dialogue is a very strong tool that authors use to develop character relationships while also driving the plot along. However, it was very bland in my opinion and didn't help to explore these characters.

Now, take everything I said and throw it out the window. This novel is actually very clever when taken into consideration that this is a companion novel to Open ELA: A Complete Course in Reading and Language Arts. Greengaard explains in the introduction that it is designed with lessons about literature in mind and for adults who are looking to get into reading. With this in mind, it makes everything about the book make sense. According to the introduction you can read the book as is (which is what I did) or read it with the "Interactive Chapters" section (I actually don't know where this is and couldn't find it).

Overall, I think that this book is perfect for beginner readers, but I wouldn't recommend it to advanced readers. I didn't enjoy the plot (except for the little enemies to lovers kind of subplot but that came out of left field) but I respect Greengaard's goal in writing it.

[Rodrigo J · Rating 5 out of 5]

The invisible game of fitting in

This book surprised me more than I expected, not because it offers a spectacular plot or memorable twists, but because little by little it moves into situations that feel familiar, even when one does not really want to recognize them. At the beginning, it seems like a light, almost playful novel, clearly set in university life, but as the story moves forward, it starts to show discomfort that feels real in a quiet, constant way. The protagonist is not a heroine and she does not appear confident all the time. She feels more like someone who is simply trying to adapt, trying not to fall behind, and that makes her easy to relate to.

While I was reading, I thought a lot about how difficult it can be to move through spaces where not everyone starts from the same place, even if nobody talks about it openly. The book does not accuse anyone and it does not give speeches or lessons. It just lets situations happen, sometimes without clear explanations. The theme of privilege appears without long discussions, almost casually, as something that is just there and quietly shapes comments, opportunities, and even silences. That felt honest to me, because that is often how things work in real life.

There are moments when certain decisions don’t fully make sense, and some characters feel unfinished, making the story feel more human. We don’t always understand why we act the way we do. The humor helps keep the book from becoming too heavy, even though there is an underlying tension that never completely disappears.

In the end, more than a story about university life, it felt like a book about learning how to move through games that are not chosen. It is not perfect and it does not try to be. What stays is an honest feeling. It made me think about how many times people participate just to avoid being left out, even when they are not fully convinced.

[Ben AF · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book feels like someone slipped you a note in class that says: Meet me after midnight, don’t ask why. It’s weird, fun, and quietly smart in a way that doesn’t beg for attention. I enjoyed how The Elephant in the Ivy refuses to take itself too seriously while still being very intentional about what it’s saying.

Alison is not the bubbly, lovable protagonist you’re often handed in college-set stories, and that’s exactly why she works. She’s busy, stressed, broke, and slightly fed up with the world around her. Her irritation feels earned, not exaggerated, and her voice kept me engaged even when the plot wandered into unexpected territory.

The secret spy game is delightfully unhinged. It’s not about gadgets or global stakes, but about social maneuvering, risk, and reading people. That made it feel grounded in a strange way, even when things got absurd. I liked that the book didn’t spell out every rule. It feels like real college traditions, half-understood, overly dramatic, and treated as sacred by the people involved.

What I didn’t expect was how funny the book could be without relying on obvious jokes. The humor is dry, situational, and often rooted in discomfort. It made me laugh, but more often it made me smirk and think: Yeah, that tracks.

This is the kind of book that works best if you let it be itself instead of expecting a neat genre box. It’s messy, playful, and sharp around the edges. I closed it feeling like I’d just overheard a very entertaining secret I wasn’t entirely sure I was supposed to know.

 

[Moná · Rating 5 out of 5]

In “The Elephant in the Ivy,” author Alexander Greengard introduces readers to Alison Ashe, a junior in Bauer College, who balances college life on a scholarship as a theater major while engaging in exciting, spy-like extracurricular activities. As best friends and spy-partners, Paige Hall seems to have made life more exciting for Alison. The dynamic duo of Alison and Paige demonstrates how much they complement each other’s energies and style, where one lacks, the other picks up. Juggling school expectations, theater commitments, and undercover agent missions, one could say life can be a bit overwhelming.

There was a brief moment when an emotional connection to Alison was made, as she vented her woes aloud as if someone were listening. This was a perfect example of relatability because life can become a difficult journey to navigate, yet resilience shows the strength to keep striving. An empathetic emotion would ensue because she must deal with so much, life pulling her in every direction, and she senses overall unfairness between the poor and the rich.

I must admit, I experienced a bit of “lost the plot” moments at the beginning of reading, but quickly realized how amazing this storyline is. My advice is to carve out time with no distractions and focus to grasp what is happening within the story; it is worth the effort. The various plot twists, with some action scenes, will keep you engaged throughout. From the author’s attention to detail, you will be able to build a connection with a character through the well-thought-out character development. A wonderful reading experience with wit, theatrics, spy games, and exceptional friendships. I highly recommend this book to the younger college-aged individuals because it has plenty of relatable elements.

[Ryan and Sara Wendt · Rating 5 out of 5]

What does being a good friend mean nowadays? How do we become a trustworthy friend to our peers? Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard is an honest and truthful novel that seeks to answer these huge life questions revolving around life’s great lessons – friendship and trust

Alison Ashe, the protagonist, is a spunky and quirky scholarship student from Bauer College. She is a junior majoring in theater. Alison is the kind of college kid who wears her sleeve on her heart. She is quite different from her college peers, too. Alison is an out-of-the-box thinker who is not your typical theater major either.

As the reader, I loved Alison’s spunky tell-it-like-it-is personality. Her off-the-cuff honest personality reminded me of myself. Alison’s ability to be real, honest, and truthful won my heart over as a result!

Through Greengaard’s writing, Alison Ashe’s honesty comes alive in her personality. There is also an authenticity shining forth in her! It is made evident in Greengaard’s writing. Alison is truly a truth-teller to her college peers! As an avid fiction reader, Greengaard’s spy-game writing element is what drew me into Alison’s honest personality .

Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard is an honest and truth-telling book! It is full of honest moments and joyous adventures, too! I loved every page of this honest young adult novel! It was fun to read, and brought me tons of joy! Alison’s whimsical character was very relatable as the reader, too!

I recommend this delightful young adult novel to young people seeking to become honest, loyal, and trustworthy friends to their peers! Through the lens of Alison Ashe’s character you will learn to become a committed, honest, and trustworthy friend!

[Manu Val · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

Even though the book is set on a college campus, I found it easy to connect with the characters as they dealt with stress, insecurity, and the need to feel like they belong. Alison Ashe, the novel’s central protagonist and a junior at Bauer College, faces financial hardship and frequent self-doubt while navigating a campus filled with wealthier, more confident students. I appreciated her relatable flaws, her vulnerability, and her determination to keep going.
The clandestine campus game is a highlight of this book, it was incredibly cool. Teams drawn from diverse academic departments, pitted against one another employed espionage, strategy, and teamwork. The initial rules seemed somewhat opaque yet with Alison's involvement the story really comes alive, it becomes truly exciting. That game injects tension into the narrative, driving the story forward at a captivating pace. It further empowers Alison, as she uncovers her hidden strengths, urging her out from her comfort zone. Alison's friendship with Paige really highlight's how crucial support can be, especially when times get tough. The author’s portrayal of authentic relationships really resonated with me, exhibiting trust, loyalty and a fair few misunderstandings. This book delved into ambition, identity and pressures, making it feel so much more profound than just a quick read.
The Elephant in the Ivy is an engaging and thoughtful story that blends humor, creativity, and social insight to show how finding your place often means trusting yourself in an uneven world.

[Maps R · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Elephant in the Ivy is playful, smart, and slightly chaotic, but never careless. The college setting feels alive, messy, and strangely secretive, like there’s always something happening just out of sight.
Alison Ashe is a great lead. She’s sharp, impatient, and clearly overwhelmed, which made her feel very real. As a scholarship student surrounded by privilege, her frustration is understandable. I liked that she isn’t trying to be heroic. She’s just trying to survive college, theatre commitments, and financial stress, and then she’s pulled into something much bigger than herself.
The spy game element is clever and fun. It feels less like gadgets and more like brains, trust, and social maneuvering. The risks are personal, not flashy, and that made the tension feel grounded. I also loved how performance and theatre are woven into the story. There’s a constant sense that everyone is acting, even when they don’t realize it.
The tone is witty and irreverent, but there’s heart underneath the humor. Friendship, loyalty, and finding your place in an unequal system are quiet themes that stick with you after you finish. The writing is confident without being pretentious, and the pacing keeps things moving without rushing the emotional moments.
Knowing that the proceeds support classroom books made the experience even better. The Elephant in the Ivy is a book that enjoys being clever but also knows why stories matter. It’s a sharp, entertaining read that doesn’t take itself too seriously, while still having something meaningful to say.

[Sam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever looked at a college campus and wondered what really happens after the libraries close and the lights dim? The Elephant in the Ivy made me think of my own university days, when everything felt urgent and absurd at the same time and even small risks carried theatrical weight. Alexander Greengaard captures that feeling with a story that treats academia like a stage and student life like a carefully choreographed caper.

Alison Ashe is not spying for governments but for something far more precarious. Belonging. As a scholarship student and theatre major at the fictional Bauer College, she moves through privilege and pressure with a sharp eye and sharper wit. The secret campus wide game at the heart of the novel is confusing at first, much like being dropped into a new social hierarchy with no map, but once it clicks, the logic feels delightfully inevitable. Who would not believe that students already juggling exams and productions would also take deception as a competitive sport?

The novel is playful, sometimes chaotic, and occasionally uneven, yet it leans into those qualities as part of its charm. It reads like a whispered secret passed between friends who trust you to keep up. By the end, the clever reveal feels earned. This is less a spy thriller than a love letter to performance, friendship, and the strange intensity of learning who you are while pretending to be someone else.

[Kathi Heiber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gave me an insight to present day vernacular and campus life / Lively dialogue , and clever observations - Someone else complained about the similes- but I found them well within the bounds of flowing with the narrative. I only know the Elvis Costello song on the playlist - so you know I am from another generation- Someone will have to send me the playlist on 8 Track so I can catch all the musical references….. ( I am kidding- I only need a Cassette tape…….). I hope this is well received as a teaching vehicle=. I found it much better than a lot of contemporary fiction - being published today by mainstream houses- that are so grossly overwritten / and overly dramatic that they produce a gag reflex from the overwritten descriptives. This book was a pleasant diversion to read from some of the main market drivel……

[Desiree Delong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Theatre kids are some of the most dramatic people you are ever going to meet, and I mean this quite literally! In The Elephant in the Ivy by Alexander Greengaard, the main character, Alison Ashe, is the quintessential theatre kid. She is very dramatic (not a surprise given she is a drama major) and a junior at Bauer College. On the surface, this seems like your average young adult novel, but then Alison ends up in a spy game that runs on campus. Quite an interesting premise, which is what drew me in!

The main character, for one, is a delight. I adore how all over the place she is and find myself relating to her. She is a bit of an odd duck and a huge nerd, which many kids can relate to. This is where the book shines the most. Alison is a well-fleshed-out character who jumps out from the first page. But the secondary characters have their appeal as well!

This book truly did make me laugh aloud. Its humor is its biggest strong point, and since it is for a kid audience, this will be a good selling point. My only issue was that when we first opened the book, we were thrust right into the plot/first scene without much of an explanation. I understood the setting more as I read, but for the first few pages, it was more than a little confusing.

It is not the biggest deal breaker because once I got to the second chapter, I was able to get into the groove of the book. The book is a bit of a quick read, but that plays in its favor. You can read it in one sitting and really take in everything Alison, her college, and fellow students have to offer!

[Lea Loves books · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really enjoyed this novel especially all the fun and theatrical spy-esque hijinks!

the characters were relatable and heartfelt and also just so enjoyable to read about! i was so invested in there story and how the game would play out. it also helped that this book has incredible writing that kept me gripped and engaged through out.

the humour in this is witty and always had me smiling, i loved all the college-student chaos that spurred on the plot especially in the conclusion

plus its always a bonus when a novel includes a playlist! i loved seeing all of the songs Allison had listened to and i always find it interesting when we can see a different side of character by what music the author associates them with

Thank you to the author for the chance to read a free arc of the book however all opinions in my review are given voluntarily and honestly!

[taywithjam · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 🌟 This book had a really original high stakes, game/mystery premise which initially drew me in. I enjoyed the suspense and humor surrounding the semester’s capture-the-flag-esque game. It felt very realistic in the Ivy League setting, and would definitely be a great book for discussion in the classroom setting (as originally intended). I also loved the characters and writing style in the beginning of book but my brain got very tired as I went on reading with chapters feeling very separated, and scenes not playing out clearly. The ending was great though! I even find it hard to explain why exactly I didn’t rate this book higher.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very entertaining book to read. The adventures that Alison has by participating in this secret game had me wanting to continue reading. The imagery in this book is very vivid. The author did a great job linguistically throught the book allowing the reader to visualize the story.

[vanessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

[Judi Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slightly weird

Very unusual writing style. Took a bit to get used to. But the story was pure fun so go along for the ride.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not really my genre,but entertaining.

Interesting book that was likely not written for me or my age group, but I love to sample what younger generations are reading.