About This Book
Sharon M. Draper's 'Blended' introduces Isabella, an eleven-year-old piano prodigy whose life is a constant switch between her Black father's upscale home and her White mother's more modest one. This weekly transition, coupled with her parents' escalating arguments and simultaneous engagements, leaves Isabella feeling perpetually 'split' and questioning her biracial identity. The narrative thoughtfully explores the microaggressions and overt racism Isabella faces, culminating in a pivotal and intense police encounter involving her and her stepbrother. This powerful story is ideal for middle-grade readers grappling with divorce, blended families, or exploring themes of race, identity, and social justice.
Piano-prodigy Isabella, eleven, whose black father and white mother struggle to share custody, never feels whole, especially as racial tensions affect her school, her parents both become engaged, and she and her stepbrother are stopped by police.
Concepts
peril_danger
discrimination
family_conflict
Discussion Prompts
1
How does Isabella's experience of switching between her parents' homes affect her sense of identity and belonging?
2
The book explores both the challenges and strengths of being biracial. What are some of the specific ways Isabella experiences her racial identity, and how does she grow in understanding it?
3
The police encounter is a very intense moment in the book. What emotions did you feel during this scene, and what does it teach us about justice and prejudice?
External Reviews
NYT Bestseller
Children’s Middle Grade Hardcover (19 weeks on list)
If Your Family Enjoyed This
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