Ivy's Journal: A Trip to the Yucatán, by Judith Herbst, pictures by Molly O'Gorman
        This book shares factual information about the Yucatán in a narrative way. It begins when Ivy's parents tell her that they are going on a family vacation to the Yucatán, and Ivy is very resistant. She tells all of the facts about Mayans and pyramids that her parents told her to try to get her excited, but she is still not convinced. However, after Ivy does research of her own, she discovers a woman from the 1800s, Anne Cary Maudslay, who ventured into the Yucatán at a time when traveling to such places was not typical for women. The family arrives at their destination in the middle of the Yucatán where they explore historic cites that have pyramids, temples, and ancient ball courts. Ivy was shocked to learn that they used to sacrifice whoever won the ball game as an honor to the rain god. Learning facts like this and being immersed in the Yucatán changes Ivy's mind about this historic place. She delves into her imagination when she pretends that she lives in ancient times among an ancient people. Additionally, she meets a friend named Tránsita who lives in the Mayan village. Her friend shows Ivy her home and Ivy meets her mother as well. Ivy then becomes even more fascinated with the culture. On the family's way home, Ivy reflects positively on her experiences. Her parents tell Ivy that they want to go explore caves in France next summer, but Ivy does not expect to enjoy that trip.
         This book would be most appropriate for second and third graders. The book is filled with many colorful illustrations and photographs of the ancient sites. Additionally, the facts are told through Ivy's fictional narrative. This makes it engaging for the students and easier for them to follow. This would be a great book to read to students when they study the Yucatán. Furthermore, the book would serve as a solid example of a factual travel journal. No matter what country or area the students are studying, they could be inspired to create their own travel journal like Ivy's. Students could also create a time traveler's journal where they pick a place in a historic time period and write a journal as though they have traveled to that time. This also follows Ivy's example as she imagined herself in ancient times based upon the facts that she learned of the Mayan people. The students could find facts and pictures from books, the internet, and other resources to include in their journal. This helps develop their creativity, their understanding of the country or area of study, and their writing and storytelling skills.