Summary
Due to her parents’ divorce, 11-year old Isabella bounces lives every week. One week, she’s Isabella living in a fancy house with her dad, his girlfriend, and her son Darren. They are one of the only black families in the neighborhood. She is Izzy the next week, living with her mom and boyfriend John-Mark in a small, not-so-fancy house. Her dad is black, her mom is white, and strangers are always commenting. This has always caused Isabella to feel torn between two worlds and feel lost.
Theme(s):
Family, Race, Identity
Personal Response
I enjoyed reading this book. The author’s ability to take a complex and mature topic and package it for a younger audience without lowering its severity amazed me and humbled me. I grew up with divorce parents so I related to Isabella where some students may as well. Despite racism at school, in the community, and within her own family, Isabella was able to find her own identity. This book can be very inspiring for young readers to read and relate to.
Teaching Ideas
In the story Isabella’s teacher assigns her fictional students to write “The Real Me” essay. It would be a perfect writing sample since students are reading such an in-depth story about finding one’s identity. The teacher will outline exactly what students should write about themselves, but they will have some choice. They can share what they want. Possibilities may be how their family creates their identity, how their name creates their identity, how their culture creates their identity, etc.
Recommended Reading Level
Grade 04, Grade 05
