Itch

by Polly Farquhar

When everything around you is going wrong, how far would you go to fit in?

A Junior Library Guild Selection

Isaac's sixth grade year gets off to a rough start. For one thing, a tornado tears the roof off the school cafeteria. His mother leaves on a two month business trip to China. And as always. . . . there's the itch. It comes out of nowhere. Idiopathic, which means no one knows what causes it. It starts small, but it spreads, and soon--it's everywhere. It's everything. It's why everyone calls him Itch--everyone except his best friend Sydney, the only one in all of Ohio who's always on his side, ever since he moved here.

At least Itch has his job at the pheasant farm, which is tough but cool. And most of the guys at school are okay to hang out with, even if they're crazy about college football, and Itch could care less. He's doing the best he can to get along--until everything goes wrong in the middle of a lunch swap. When Sydney collapses and an ambulance is called, Itch blames himself. And he's not the only one.

When you have no friends at all, wouldn't you do anything--even something you know you shouldn't--to get them back?

Drawing on her own experiences with idiopathic angioedema and food allergies, Polly Farquhar spins a tale of kids trying to balance the desire to be ordinary with the need to be authentic--allergies, itches, confusion and all.

For everyone who's ever felt out of place, this debut novel set in the Ohio heartland is a warm, funny, and sometimes heartbreaking look at middle school misfits and misadventures. Whether you root for the Buckeyes or have no clue who they are, you'll be drawn into Itch's world immediately. This engaging debut is perfect for fans of See You in the Cosmos and Fish in a Tree .

Genres: Middle Grade, Realistic Fiction, Friendship, Fiction, Juvenile, School, Contemporary

240 pages, Paperback

First published February 4, 2020

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was good but not much of a plot, not much happened.

[Kathy Mathey · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it took me awhile to get into this story's rhythm, I ended up really liking it. I see potential for a variety of talking points quite relevant to middle school kids: fitting in, blending in, navigating friendships, and second chances.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sixth grade is hard enough on its own, but add in anything out of the ordinary, and it is a recipe for disaster. Isaac Fitch is getting ready to start his first day of sixth grade, embracing the last dregs of summer with his friends Sydney and Nate. Racing against an ominous storm cloud, they manage to make it to safety just before a tornado tears through their small Ohio town. In its wake, Isaac must navigate the unpredictable dynamics of middle school relationships as the cafeteria is being rebuilt, his mom is away on an extended business trip, and he is trying to determine his place in the world.

This #ownvoices story involves characters who manage both life threatening food allergies and extreme dermatological discomfort. Based on the author’s own life, these true-to-life ailments are an important part of the story but are well-balanced with some of the more widespread challenges of middle school. Through the events in this story, readers learn more about food allergies and Isaac’s condition called idiopathic angioedima. This approach builds empathy not only for the fictional children in this book but for real people like them, as well.

Descriptive language gives the book a unique flavor, often incorporating tangible, visceral details. Carefully crafted phrases like how the tornado sirens “rattle your earwax” are compelling and memorable. Incorporating text messages along with a traditional narrative text, middle grade readers will appreciate the accessibility of this familiar communicative style.

The ubiquitous message of “get better, not bitter” is one that readers of all ages will embrace throughout this story. Cringe-worthy decisions make Isaac a flawed character in need of redemption, and readers discover along with him how it feels to be swimming in a sea of moral ambiguity. Often treading the line between what is right and what is easy, Isaac grows as the narrative progresses and he learns the consequences of his actions. This heartfelt story about growing up different in a small town leaves middle grade readers with a newfound approach to their lives and the people in them. It is an important addition to middle grade libraries.

I received a copy of this book from the author and I chose to leave this review.

[Readersaurus · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book begins in the summer between 5th and 6th grades and a group of friends. Then school starts, and their social roles change. Mix in a new student, a boy-girl best friendship, a first job, football fever, a parent who travels for work, a life-threatening allergy, and a kid who makes a very bad decision for kind of a good reason.

Farquhar has created children who feel real. None are perfect, and none are perfect villains. They all want to be known by the other kids for more than what their nicknames indicate. The author has the same medical condition as Isaac (Itch) the main character, and her children have allergies, as do Connor & Sydney in the book. Readers who live with similar conditions may be glad to see them reflected in a story about friendship and fitting in.

The ending felt too quickly resolved. Isaac faces up to his missteps in his friendships, but not with his boss. He has done him real harm. At the age that these kids are, it is an unrealistic omission that Isaac’s parents don’t get involved and compel him to resolve things with Mr. Epple.

To whom would you recommend this book? I would recommend this book to kids heading into that transitional pre-teen time, when friendships shift and people reinvent themselves. It also would be a good read for adults who spend time with this age group, or even a classroom read with discussions about being new, having a medical difference, and how to make amends after a bad decision.

This would be interesting to pair with the picture book The Summer My Father Was Ten by Pat Brisson and Andrea Shine. In that one, destructive behavior by a group of kids is followed by restorative action.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixth grader Isaac Fitch (called Itch by some of his classmates because of his idiopathic angioedema, a tendency to itch and scratch under stressful conditions) is desperate to fit in. After he and his best friend Sydney narrowly avert a tornado that damages the roof of the school cafeteria, it seems that things get even worse. With his mother away in China for a long business trip and his father's disinterest in Ohio State football, which is something of a sin in that part of the country, Itch struggles with acceptance and figuring out fractions. His work at a pheasant farm for Mr. Epple brings him some satisfaction, but when a classmate pressures him to steal a bird, he isn't sure what to do. After he accidentally causes Sydney to almost die when some of the youngsters are trading sandwiches, their relationship is fractured, and Isaac doesn't know how to say he's sorry and regain her trust. There's a lot to unpack in this story, but it was hard for me to get past the idea of a pheasant living in a storage unit or how desperate this boy was to find some peace of mind and acceptance. It took me some time to get involved in the story even with the exciting start of the tornado, perhaps because that plot device just didn't work for me. I'm not saying that a natural disaster wouldn't change everything for someone, but it just seemed an odd way to start. And all the football fanaticism would go over the heads of most readers unless they had some familiarity with the sport and its traditions.

[Lyssa Rae · Rating 3 out of 5]

!! SPOILERS AHEAD !!

". . . something didn't have to make the news to be important. if it was important to me then it was important."
After finishing The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, I found myself in a bit of a reading slump. I had picked up 2 books prior to reading this and couldn't even make it past the first few chapters. I felt that I needed a few easy reads that didn't push me into adding too much thought into the plot. Not only was this book rather quick, but it was easy to understand since it was obviously targeted at a younger audience. However, I'm rating Itch by Polly Farquhar three stars because of something that I personally dislike when it comes to books: incomplete or unclear endings. You could argue that the ending was obvious since, yes, this book is aimed at children or younger viewers. Nevertheless, I prefer reading a book that ends when the last word is written and doesn't leave readers to fill in the gaps with 'what ifs'. Feel free to disagree.

With that out the way, I did enjoy certain aspects of this book. Although it took me a while to realize it, I quite enjoyed how the story opens with Sydney thanking Issac for saving her life (this was said after he brought her into his house during a tornado in their town). This perfectly contrasts with the climax of the story which shows her near death experience after having an allergic reaction to Issac's food during lunch.

For a childrens novel, this touches on very serious topics that going into this blind, I was not expecting.

[Karen Gedeon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Itch by Polly Farquar – Taking place in Southern Ohio, Buckeye readers will be able to relate to the flat farmland, periodic storms and Buckeye Nation. Isaac, known as Itch to his friends and classmates, has idiopathic angioedema, a condition which makes you itch uncontrollably which results in swelling and additional itching. Right before Itch and Sydney enter 6th grade, a tornado touches down in town tearing the roof of the school cafeteria, but the friends are able to make it to safety in Itch’s basement just in time. So the school year begins with cleanup of the school and neighborhood. Itch and Sydney are joined by their old friends and a new one, Connor, who has been homeschooled until now. As Connor tries to find his way in school he is given the nickname of “Homer” thanks to an accident in gym class. Itch, Homer and Sydney all feel like outsiders as two have severe allergies and the third is just plain itchy. Isaac narrates his story of finding who is true friends are while trying to rid himself of the nickname he dislikes so much. Grades 4-7 will enjoy this story of friendship.

[Patty · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is written as a Tween read and perhaps if I was in Middle School I would have given it at least one more star. It was a very compelling novel that took many of the problems that a child, Isaac or Itch as his classmates called him, may encounter and how he worked through them. Two friends in Itch's class have their own special life threatening issues...food allergies. Isaac's issue, idiopathic angioedema, or itching, is not life threatening but a serious problem that is embarrassing and he needs to deal with it.

Making connections with the popular crowd in school is not a new complication for students but this story takes on that difficulty in a soft, mild, approach mostly without adult interference. The bullies are not heavy tyrants which allows for mistakes to be made and though friendly conversations and smart thinking the story line follows the possibility of getting through sixth grade without major conflict and learning what's important in life. I thought it was a really good story for any age of reader.

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was quick read focusing on food allergies, hives, fitting in, and being the new kid. After a horrible food allergy incident in the lunchroom, Isaac finds himself alone. His best friend is mad at him, his friend group makes fun of him, and the new kid is acting weird. Isaac knows something he can do to fix the situation, but it means breaking the law and causes more problems.

The story is a quick one, but I just didn't particularly like or connect with any of the characters. I know that kids that age can be selfish (I teach them every day), but it's nice to have a character or two come through in the end. I'm not sure anyone really learned anything in this one, and there are several story lines (Isaac's relationship with his parents, what happens with the pheasant farm) that feel unfinished.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A strong voice, excellent dialogue, and the setting is so real I feel as if I live there too. This is perfect for classroom discussions, with the themes of food allergies, chronic illness (in this case, idiopathic angioedema), and peer pressure. The whole town is caught up in Ohio State football mania, and outsiders like Isaac have to find a way to fit in. You'll get to know Isaac (called Itch by his classmates) best, of course, because he narrates the story, but Sydney, Connor (a new kid called Homer by his classmates when he says he's been homeschooled until now), Nate, and others all come to life. These come across as real kids, with real problems. Give this to fans of Jerry Spinelli. (Note: this book was released in Feb 2020, just before the world shut down, so I'd like to bring more attention to it!)

[Carrie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best threads of this book were about living with allergies or an itching condition. The author has idiopathic angioedema and that lent an authenticity to Isaac's struggles. The allergic reaction scene terrified me particularly as a teacher because it was written in a believable way that was infused with true tension.

Other plot points, like stealing the bird and Isaac's mom living in China, fell flat for me. I understand why Isaac would feel the need to steal from the farmer that gave him a job, but the resolution of this felt unrealistic and unfinished.

And lastly, I tried not to let my Michigan loyalties influence my opinion of the portrayal of Ohio State fandom, especially as I think Farquhar captured the football-obsessed atmosphere quite well.

[Maeve · Rating 1 out of 5]

Itch is just trying to fit into a rural Ohio middle-school. It's difficult since he moved from New York and suffers from idiopathic angioedema. He feels like he doesn't belong...and it only gets worse when he accidentally gives his best friend Sydney food that she's allergic to (sending her into a serious allergic reaction). Itch has to come to terms with the mistakes he has made.

Good representation of people with different disabilities and serious food allergies...but the execution was poor. The narrative was clipped and cringe-worthy. There were many unnecessary conflicts that didn't further the story (and weren't really addressed). The ending was anticlimactic, and it felt like many issues weren't really resolved.

[Tricia Fraser · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Goodreads summary compares this to Fish in a Tree, which is what made me pick it up. While Itch deals with some important issues, I didn't have the emotional connection with the characters that I had in Fish in a Tree.


Also, I didn't care for how the bird situation was resolved. Isaac was SO torn about stealing. Then he did it and all his friends were impressed with him and he won back their friendship. Did he lose his job? That was suggested, but wasn't completely clear. Did he regret his theft in an attempt to win back friendship? His old friends are happy, Isaac finally talks to his allergic friend and then decides to call Homer by his real name. Then it ends. The bird situation didn't really seem to have closure.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received a copy of this ARC from NCTE back in November.

Isaac is a 6th grader who is new to Columbus, Ohio and before arriving there, wasn't familiar with the midwestern town's obsession with the Ohio State Buckeyes. He's been trying to fit in ever since he arrived. Unfortunately, he has idiopathic angioedema, which causes him to itch and swell-up when he's flustered. Or when he itches something. So the kids in his school call him Itch.

This book will appeal to middle schoolers, who suddenly find out that, in middle school, the old rules don't apply and not everyone wants to be nice, or fair, or a friend.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was good, the depiction of allergies and idiopathic angioedema realistic, but it was a hard book to get through. I didn't like the main character. He was weak and didn't evolve much throughout the story. He cared more about social status than true friendship. If this was the author's intent, she succeeded. It felt to me like the author wanted to recount some things she had experienced like working on a pheasant farm and having idiopathic angoedema and experience with food allergies. But there just wasn't enough of a compelling plot. And other than the tornado in the opening chapter and stealing the pheasants at the end, there was zero action.

[Deena Lipomi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Isaac begins sixth grade hoping he can stop his itch that has given him his undesired nickname, but that is the least of his concerns with his mom working in China until Thanksgiving, his friends acting different during the school year than the summer, and a new kid who is trying to fit in. The kids in this book are so realistic in their actions, confusion, guilt, and friendships. Everyone is complex with a backstory that the reader knows shapes who they each are. Food allergies and idiopathic angiodema are addressed, and illustrate the different physical hardships so many kids and people are dealing with. A great story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Isaac, called Itch by his "friends," has idiopathic angioedema which means he breaks out in hives and gets itchy. He best friend Sydney has severe food allergies. One day during lunch, Itch and Sydney participate in a full-on food swap -- strictly forbidden by the school and Sydney's mom, mind you -- that results in Sydney accidentally going into anaphylactic shock after taking a bite of Itch's sandwich. Itch is so horrified and worried about Sydney that he can't find the words to apologize for several weeks. In the end Itch does the right thing but readers might get a little tired of his self-introspection and constant "itching" along the way.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is the first book I've read where they really discuss life-threatening food allergies. I wish this book was around for my daughter (22 years old now) when she was in middle school. I'd like to see more books like this and really show what a person with life-threatening food allergies goes through on a day to day basis. How some people still "just don't get it" and don't think it's a big deal to list ingredients for a school snack. Thank you for writing this book about food allergies and reactions.

[Wendy Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated a lot about this book. The representation of what it's like to navigate middle school with life-threatening food allergies is pretty compelling. But though this is a major issue that runs through the book, I think the real story is that of fitting in, and what some kids will do to achieve that. I liked that the ending was a messy one and Itch made some mistakes that he couldn't fix. My one concern is that there are a couple of subplots that seem like they should go somewhere but don't--tornadoes, mom going on a trip to China. All in all, I think this one is pretty solid.

[Mary · Rating 1 out of 5]

What an odd book. The characters were so undeveloped that it was impossible to care about them. The dialogue was dry and awkward. The only interesting thing about the story was the fact that the main character had a skin condition, and that was barely touched upon. The author herself suffers from the same condition, so I think she missed a real opportunity to write about a topic from first hand experience that kids would be interested in. Instead, all the reader got was a whole lot of talk about pheasants. So weird.

[Mina · Rating 3 out of 5]

So throughout the whole book, there wasn't a solid, obvious plot, but here's the breakdown:

Itch's real name is Isacc; his nickname is itch because he has a disease that if he feels itchy and he scratches the itch, he puffs up; there's a new kid at school who was home schooled so his nickname is Homer; Itch has to steal a chicken for his "friend" Nate; his mom is in China for a while; and his friend is mad at him because he accidentally got bread rolls that she was allergic to and everybody traded food so she got the sandwich with the bread rolls.

[Bryan Loar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Farquhar's debut novel explores the drive for belonging in a middle-grade reader set in modern-day, rural Ohio. With a strong focus on interpersonal relationships and tensions built from physiological conditions as well as peer pressure, Farquhar's characters navigate how to be sixth graders in difficult situations. The book will appeal to children who seek literature that addresses early middle school politics in an honest way.

[Bonnie Grover · Rating 4 out of 5]

“School’s weird!” Allergies, tornados, nicknames that other people choose for you. All of this adds to Itch’s anxiety issues, his friends have allergies and navigating 6th-grade is hard. But when his friend suffers an allergy attack that could be his fault, Itch finds himself alone. He has to figure out what he’s willing to do in order to get his friends back. I think this is going to be a popular book in my library.

[Marta-Kate · Rating 3 out of 5]

Realistic fiction set in rural Ohio with a focus on school friendships and the trials of relationship building in 5th/6th grade. The main character suffers from idiopathic angioedema (unexpected hives & strong desire to itch them) and others have life-threatening food allergies. Great mirror and windows story for those with or without food allergies, but the story may be a bit too slow to catch the attention of a reluctant reader.

[Mimi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A unique and likable story about getting through middle school. I really liked that the main character has a medical condition, idiopathic angioedema, and it is woven well into the story. However, the character isn't real strong and goes with the flow even when he feels he shouldn't. The constant reference to Ohio State football is a bit excessive and draws the focus away from the storyline. I just feel like there is too much going on in the story and it bounces around too much.

[Heidi Doyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

What would you do to get people to like you? Steal? Lie? Make fun of someone else? Itch doesn’t like his nickname, or his condition that makes him itchy, but he accepts it because he just wants to fit in, even after three years, he still feels like an outsider. Polly Farquhar’s story really gets at the heart of how difficult it can be to fit in. She weaves in food allergies, social issues, family issues and so much more into this wonderful book.

[Liz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot-wise, not much happens. But, it does show how kids can internalize and not talk about what is affecting them. I wanted more resolutions and consequences at the end. This book illustrates how adults don't always see what's going on with kids, whether they are their students or children. Being from Illinois and moving to Ohio as an adult, I did relate to feeling like an outsider to OSU football.

[Nuha Qaisara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was also going through sixth grade when I read this book. To me, the characters were realistic and some of their actions– although stupid, can be understood at times. The plot wasn't heavy, which was great for a light read. However, the ending felt rather predictable and anticlimactic, and the relationship dynamics between Isaac and his parents weren't explored that much, which is a shame since that was what intrigued me the most while reading the book.

[Emily Wallace · Rating 2 out of 5]

I get where she was going with the book. It just didn't deliver. I think there is a need for a book like this in middle school. It covers lots of issues that middle schoolers deal with daily. It just didn't read well. I lost interest. It was disjointed in places. It was a miss for me.
Bully
Allergies
Anaphylaxis
farm
new kid
tornado
stealing

[Rachel Armington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this book has some weaknesses (the pheasant caper didn't feel fully resolved), the believable characters made an intriguing read. Coming from a family with multiple food allergies, I wish this book had been available when my kids were young. The realistic portrayal of bullying and tenuous relationships was enough to rate this book as a five.