Love, Sivvy: A Novel Inspired by the Life, Letters, and Diaries of Young ­Sylvia Plath

Gr 9 Up–A lyrical and intimate portrayal of Sylvia Plath’s early years, spanning from high school through her graduation at Smith ­College. Written in verse, the novel captures the exhilarating highs of recognition and publication alongside the devastating lows of clinical depression. Toalson draws readers into Plath’s constant cycles of joy and despair, showing how even ­accolades from family, friends, teachers, and mentors could not quiet her self-doubt. Beyond her ­creative pursuits, Plath wrestles with the strict societal expectations placed on women in the 1950s, as well as her own evolving sense of feminism and identity. Despite her inner conflict, Plath was always searching for a boy/man who would respect her nontraditional approach to adulthood and love her for who she was. The novel also confronts the darkest chapters of Plath’s young life, including her stay in a ­psychiatric ­hospital where she received shock treatments, with honesty and sensitivity. As stated at the beginning of the novel, trigger warnings include depression, suicidal ideation, and suicide attempts. Because the novel closes with her departure for the ­University of Cambridge for graduate school, Plath’s story ends with resilience and growth, even if it remains unfinished. Toalson (The ­Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel) balances ­admiration for Plath’s accomplishments with empathy for her struggles.