Blended — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Eleven-year-old Isabella’s parents are divorced, so she has to switch lives every week: One week she’s Isabella 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 Izzy with her mom and her boyfriend John-Mark in a small, not-so-fancy house that she loves.
Because of this, Isabella has always felt pulled between two worlds. And now that her parents are divorced, it seems their fights are even worse, and they’re always about HER. Isabella feels completely stuck in the middle, split and divided between them more than ever. And she is beginning to realize that being split between Mom and Dad involves more than switching houses, switching nicknames, switching backpacks: it’s also about switching identities. Her dad is black, her mom is white, and strangers are always commenting: “You’re so exotic!” “You look so unusual.” “But what are you really?” She knows what they’re really saying: “You don’t look like your parents.” “You’re different.” “What race are you really?” And when her parents, who both get engaged at the same time, get in their biggest fight ever, Isabella doesn’t just feel divided, she feels ripped in two. What does it mean to be half white or half black? To belong to half mom and half dad? And if you’re only seen as half of this and half of that, how can you ever feel whole?
It seems like nothing can bring Isabella’s family together again—until the worst thing happens. Isabella and Darren are stopped by the police. A cell phone is mistaken for a gun. And shots are fired.
Frequently asked questions
Is Blended appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses complex issues such as police brutality and the struggles of divorce, depicting real-world challenges faced by the protagonist, Isabella. The narrative does not shy away from the violence and ugliness of these experiences. No scary content is indicated in the search results for 'Blended.' The themes discussed are serious but not categorized as scary.
Does Blended have violence?
The book addresses complex issues such as police brutality and the struggles of divorce, depicting real-world challenges faced by the protagonist, Isabella. The narrative does not shy away from the violence and ugliness of these experiences.
Does Blended have scary content?
No scary content is indicated in the search results for 'Blended.' The themes discussed are serious but not categorized as scary.
Does Blended have religious themes?
No religious content or themes are detected in the search results for 'Blended.' The narrative does not reference any specific religious practices or beliefs.
Does Blended have racial/cultural content?
The book centers on Isabella, a biracial girl navigating her identity and experiences with micro-aggressions and racism. It addresses racial bias and the complexities of being a person of color in contemporary society.
Does Blended have profanity?
No profanity is noted in the search results for 'Blended.' The content appears to be appropriate for the intended age group.
Does Blended have climate change?
No climate themes or discussions are present in the search results for 'Blended.' The content does not address environmental issues.
Does Blended have sexual identity?
No sexual content is mentioned in the search results for 'Blended.' The focus is on the protagonist's personal and family struggles rather than any sexual themes.
Does Blended have gender roles?
No specific gender roles or themes are highlighted in the search results for 'Blended.' The narrative focuses on family dynamics and identity rather than gender expectations.
Does Blended have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes or characters are mentioned in the search results for 'Blended.' The focus is primarily on the biracial identity of the protagonist and her experiences with family dynamics and racism.
