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. The novel's plot follows the developing friendship of two adolescent girls: shy and worried Martha and free-spirited, imaginative Ivy Carson. Ivy belonged to the notorious and badly-behaved Carson family, which 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, who lives in an oppressive family who is very suspicious of Ivy due to her relatives, becomes attached to the other girl. They soon are inseparable. They play regularly and develop an elaborate fantasy world. At the same time, they grow older and enter their teen years. Ivy longs to be a dancer. 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, and is blamed for anything that goes wrong at her school, or at Martha’s house. Eventually, the girls are separated when Ivy’s family flees town. 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.
