Blended
Blended
Sharon M. Draper
Blended, by Sharon M. Draper, is exotic, emotional, and real. Isabella, the main character, is used to comments like, "You’re so exotic!” “You look so unusual,” “But what are you really?” Isabella’s father is black, her mother is white - but that doesn't mean she likes them. And now that her parents are divorced, and getting along WORSE than ever, Isabella feels more like a push-me-pull-me toy rather than their daughter. One week, Isabella’s with her dad, his girlfriend Anastasia, and her son Darren living in a fancy house where they are one of the only black families in the neighborhood. The next week she’s with her mom and her boyfriend John-Mark in a small, not-so-fancy house that she loves. Being split between Mom and Dad is more than switching houses, switching nicknames, switching backpacks; it’s also about switching identities. If you’re only seen as half of this and half of that, how can you ever feel whole?
Blended is sweet, short, and perfectly relates to readers, and their experiences. Blended is a book that will deeply resonate with children today. Sharon Draper takes on issues of race that all children confront and centers readers in the character of Isabella, who is conflicted in her responses to issues. I can't think of any better way for children to develop empathy for racial issues than to read this book and see the world through the eyes of Isabella. Emotions were jumping off the page, scenes were unfolding in front of you; Blended was grasping, catching, and perfect for all ages.
Grade Level: - Suggested: 4th-6th - Advanced: 3rd - Genre: Realistic-fiction - Key Elements: Divorce, mixed-race - Possible Themes: Stand up for yourself, acceptance Overall Rating: 4/5 Happy Reading! -The Book Lover- If you like more details about the book or would like to request something for me to read, you can contact me at thebooklovercontact@gmail.com