ParentsPick

Bluish A Novel — Content Guide for Parents

By Virginia HamiltonScholastic Inc.ISBN 9780439367868127 pages
Bluish A Novel

Found in this book

  • ReligionBriefJewish
  • Race & cultureSupporting

Not found

  • Violence
  • Scary content
  • Profanity
  • Climate
  • Sexual content
  • Gender roles
  • Gender & orientation

Content themes

Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.

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Summaries and source quotes for every theme.

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Example theme card

Religion

PRESENT

Contains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.

About this book

In this powerful novel researched in NYC schools, Newbery Medalist Virginia Hamilton documents the struggle young people face as they simultaneously assert their independence and yearn for guidance.

Friendship isn't always easy. Natalie is different from the other girls in Dreenie's fifth-grade class. She comes to school in a wheelchair, always wearing a knitted hat. The kids call her "Bluish" because her skin is tinted blue from chemotherapy. Dreenie is fascinated by Bluish -- and a little scared of her, too. She watches Bluish and writes her observations in her journal. Slowly, the two girls become good friends. But Dreenie still struggles with with Bluish's illness. Bluish is weak and frail, but she also wants to be independent and respected. How do you act around a girl like that?

Frequently asked questions

  • Is Bluish A Novel appropriate for a 7-year-old?

    Natalie, who is Jewish, teaches her classmates about Hanukkah and the dreidel game, and her family goes to a Kwanzaa celebration. Natalie is Black and Jewish, her mother wrongly thinks her nickname mocks that, and the girls' different backgrounds are part of the story.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have violence?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have scary content?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have religion?

    Found (Brief, Jewish): Natalie, who is Jewish, teaches her classmates about Hanukkah and the dreidel game, and her family goes to a Kwanzaa celebration.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have race & culture?

    Found (Supporting): Natalie is Black and Jewish, her mother wrongly thinks her nickname mocks that, and the girls' different backgrounds are part of the story.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have profanity?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have climate?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have sexual content?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have gender roles?

    Not found in the sources we checked.

  • Does Bluish A Novel have gender & orientation?

    Not found in the sources we checked.