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tireddisneywitch's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Hate crime
Minor: Blood
kaylani_simplyme's review against another edition
Wow!! I was really not expecting this book to hit me as hard as it did. My Eleven year old self has never connected to a book character more. I was going through the same thing as this character at this age and I totally felt seen by the book. I will say though that the cover of this book is very deceiving. I was not expecting this book to get as dark as it did. Trigger Warnings Below.
I don't think I have ever cried this month for a short little middle grade book. It was so real and raw but also wholesome and cute. There were so many wonderful things that I enjoyed about this story. The relationship between Isabella and her step brother Darren was so amazing to watch. I love the way that music and metaphor was added into this story. The talk about micro aggressions and racism as a whole was so refreshing but also quite powerful. It was an amazing experience all around.
I can say that were was a bit of trouble with the pacing of this book at around the 200 page mark but with I could definitely look past that after reading to the end. What a fantastic novel that I think every kid this age should pick up. There are so many thing to learn about in here.
Trigger Warnings:
Hate Crimes, Police Brutality, Gunshot wounds, Racism
I don't think I have ever cried this month for a short little middle grade book. It was so real and raw but also wholesome and cute. There were so many wonderful things that I enjoyed about this story. The relationship between Isabella and her step brother Darren was so amazing to watch. I love the way that music and metaphor was added into this story. The talk about micro aggressions and racism as a whole was so refreshing but also quite powerful. It was an amazing experience all around.
I can say that were was a bit of trouble with the pacing of this book at around the 200 page mark but with I could definitely look past that after reading to the end. What a fantastic novel that I think every kid this age should pick up. There are so many thing to learn about in here.
Trigger Warnings:
Hate Crimes, Police Brutality, Gunshot wounds, Racism
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Hate crime, Gun violence, and Police brutality
tabapple's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
medium-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Police brutality and Racism
starklinqs's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This book was absolutely wonderful! I felt so much for the main character and this is probably one of the best middle school books I’ve read. The tone for our main was done perfectly, and I loved how we got to hear about Isabella’s struggles of feeling caught between two worlds.
I’d say the only thing is that the final part of the synopsis doesn’t happen until the very end, and I don’t think it should have been included as part of the premise since it happens so close to the end (though I can understand it if the author wanted to provide a trigger warning for those about to read).
I’d say the only thing is that the final part of the synopsis doesn’t happen until the very end, and I don’t think it should have been included as part of the premise since it happens so close to the end (though I can understand it if the author wanted to provide a trigger warning for those about to read).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality and Racism
queer_bookwyrm's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Blended by Sharon M. Draper was a book I discovered on Bookstagram when a friend posted about it! It's about a mixed raced Black girl dealing with having to live in two worlds. My first thought was: where was this book when I was in middle school!? This middle grade book is great for any young kid dealing with divorces and/or dealing with what comes with being "half Black half White".
We follow 11 year old Isabella as she navigates her parents divorce and, frankly, poor co-parenting skills, along with struggling to figure out where she fits. With the white kids? Or the black kids? What happens when you're both? She quickly learns the world is going to judge her first by her skin color, and to that end she is black.
Although I absolutely loved this book (it had be crying early with just how painfully relatable it was for me), I have decided to dock half a star, because of a twist too near the end, that I felt was jarring and unnecessary. It just didn't seem like that was where the book was going, and it took me out of it a bit.
This was a deeply personal read for me. Despite my one issue, I encourage anyone to read this. I blew through this one day lol.
We follow 11 year old Isabella as she navigates her parents divorce and, frankly, poor co-parenting skills, along with struggling to figure out where she fits. With the white kids? Or the black kids? What happens when you're both? She quickly learns the world is going to judge her first by her skin color, and to that end she is black.
Although I absolutely loved this book (it had be crying early with just how painfully relatable it was for me), I have decided to dock half a star, because of a twist too near the end, that I felt was jarring and unnecessary. It just didn't seem like that was where the book was going, and it took me out of it a bit.
This was a deeply personal read for me. Despite my one issue, I encourage anyone to read this. I blew through this one day lol.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Hate crime, Police brutality, and Racism
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.bookcaptivated's review
challenging
emotional
lighthearted
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Police brutality, and Racism
Moderate: Hate crime
Minor: Medical content
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
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