Scan barcode
pinkberryoasis's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Gun violence, Hate crime, Police brutality, Racism, and Violence
stormywolf's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
This was another one that popped up as "if you liked The Hate U Give then try ______" back when the BLM movement was in full swing over the summer. I had a few opportunities to read it, but never really felt as compelled to as I had with other books of that subject matter. So it sat. But when I hit a bit of a reading rut and needed something quick to kick me out of it, I went ahead and picked it up again. I mean, it is Black History Month after all, so this was as good an excuse as any to finally cross it off my TBR list. Unfortunately, it seems my first inclination was correct—it wasn't nearly as compelling as I would have hoped.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this story felt like it had a lot to discuss but nothing to say. Like I said, it brought up a lot of interesting topics, many of which would be great to discuss in class either concerning race relations or child psychology, but it never seemed willing to state a stance on any of them. I've been feeling disappointed in Middle Grade books' noncommittal stance on political injustices for a while now, so maybe I'm just looking for something that isn't there? Regardless, if you're looking for an entry-point into social justice issues, Black Lives Matter, or racial tensions, but don't want anything involving death or protesting, then I suppose this is a good option. I'll give it this: it doesn't give any answers for free.
Read my full review at The Wolf's Den
Overall, this story felt like it had a lot to discuss but nothing to say. Like I said, it brought up a lot of interesting topics, many of which would be great to discuss in class either concerning race relations or child psychology, but it never seemed willing to state a stance on any of them. I've been feeling disappointed in Middle Grade books' noncommittal stance on political injustices for a while now, so maybe I'm just looking for something that isn't there? Regardless, if you're looking for an entry-point into social justice issues, Black Lives Matter, or racial tensions, but don't want anything involving death or protesting, then I suppose this is a good option. I'll give it this: it doesn't give any answers for free.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying, Hate crime, and Police brutality
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, and Medical content
A student finds a noose hung in their locker at school. Divorce is a main subject of this story, with the main character's parents having split custody of her. Their interactions are almost always yelling and police/legal action is threatened more than once.thebookishmeg's review
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Blended is a sweet and heartfelt young Middle-grade novel that follows an 11-year-old protagonist, Isabelle, as she tries to figure out her identity, come to grips with her parent’s divorce, and deal with a racial incident at her school. It is a really important read for all readers, particularly aimed at a younger audience.
Isabelle is a wonderful character. She is funny, relatable, and full of the curiosity of an 11-year-old attempting to understand the world. She is an incredibly caring character; even though she spends the novel torn between two houses and two identities, Isabelle is always looking out for her friends and family. Izzy’s dad is black; her mum is white – and Izzy isn’t sure who she is or where she fits in the world. She is forced to contend with micro-aggressive actions, as well as a disturbing incident at her school, and I loved the way in which Sharon M. Draper explained social issues through the eyes of a child, and through Isabelle’s parents’ explanations.
On top of trying to figure out who she is, Isabelle is also dealing with her parent’s recent divorce. I loved the presentation of divorced parents – I definitely didn’t read enough books with them as a child – and stepparents and step-siblings, of having two homes, two families, and acting differently with each parent. This book almost had me in tears multiple times seeing the ways in which Isabelle’s parents inadvertently took their anger against each other out on Izzy; they failed to see the way they were putting their daughter in the middle of a battle she never agreed to fight. It broke my heart a little bit, but I think it is an incredibly important book and I wish I had read it as a child.
It was heartbreaking, challenging to read at times, but also funny and ultimately inspiring. It is a definite must-read for children aged around 8+ and, as I love the middle-grade genre and think so many children’s books are incredibly special, everyone else too!
Isabelle is a wonderful character. She is funny, relatable, and full of the curiosity of an 11-year-old attempting to understand the world. She is an incredibly caring character; even though she spends the novel torn between two houses and two identities, Isabelle is always looking out for her friends and family. Izzy’s dad is black; her mum is white – and Izzy isn’t sure who she is or where she fits in the world. She is forced to contend with micro-aggressive actions, as well as a disturbing incident at her school, and I loved the way in which Sharon M. Draper explained social issues through the eyes of a child, and through Isabelle’s parents’ explanations.
On top of trying to figure out who she is, Isabelle is also dealing with her parent’s recent divorce. I loved the presentation of divorced parents – I definitely didn’t read enough books with them as a child – and stepparents and step-siblings, of having two homes, two families, and acting differently with each parent. This book almost had me in tears multiple times seeing the ways in which Isabelle’s parents inadvertently took their anger against each other out on Izzy; they failed to see the way they were putting their daughter in the middle of a battle she never agreed to fight. It broke my heart a little bit, but I think it is an incredibly important book and I wish I had read it as a child.
It was heartbreaking, challenging to read at times, but also funny and ultimately inspiring. It is a definite must-read for children aged around 8+ and, as I love the middle-grade genre and think so many children’s books are incredibly special, everyone else too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Racism, and Police brutality
More...