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Bluish

(1999, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Virginia Hamilton)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 9, age appropriate for kids over 11; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Fifth-grade girls learn tolerance and compassion.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 11 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Natalie's mother is angered when she thinks Natalie's nickname is a way of making fun of her mixed-race heritage.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bluish

Parents need to know that contemporary language and expressions make for dialogue kids connect with, but the style makes it sometimes hard to follow.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about empathy and compassion. Why do the students steer clear of Bluish? How do you think you would feel around her? Have you ever reached out to someone whose differences you found unsettling at first?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    HAPPY I READ IT AND SHARED IT WITH MY 5TH GRADER

    THIS WAS A GREAT BOOK! IT TEACHES COMPASSION, UNDERSTANDING AND IS A GREAT TEACHING TOOL TO UNDERSTANDING DIFFERNCES.

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