The Changeling (novel)

"The Changeling" is a young adult novel by Zilpha Keatley Snyder. This book was first published in 1970. It was awarded a Christopher Award and named an outstanding book for young people by the Junior Library Guild.

Plot

The novel's plot follows the developing friendship of two adolescent girls: shy and worried Martha and free-spirited, imaginative Ivy. Ivy belonged to the shunned, criminal Carson family, who lived in a run-down house at the edge of town. But Ivy was not a typical Carson. Ivy explains it to Martha when they first meet by saying that she is a changeling, a child of supernatural parents who had been exchanged for the real Ivy Carson at birth. Martha comes from a well-to-do family completely in thrall to suburban values, and very suspicious of Ivy due to her background. The girls become friends in the second grade, and soon are inseparable.

They play regularly and develop an elaborate fantasy world. As they grow older and enter their teen years, Ivy longs to be a dancer, and pushes Martha into a career in dramatics. Martha becomes more and more brave, bolstered by Ivy’s encouragement. However, Ivy’s family’s reputation means she is never able to get a fair chance. She is blamed for anything that goes wrong at her school, or at Martha’s house. Eventually, the girls are separated when Ivy is accused of vandalism (actually committed by Martha's brother and other upper-middle-class boys). Ivy's family flees town, and Martha is left to make more shallow friendships with classmates.

upporting information

The novel is written in flashback, with the beginning and ending of the book describing Martha awaiting Ivy's return, and reflecting on Ivy's influence on her growth.

Dr. Snyder has said that both the fantasy game played by the girls in "The Changeling" and its evolution into the Green-sky series originated in childhood games she herself played in Ojai, California with relatives.