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The Other Half of My Heart
CCBC Review:
Eleven-year-old twins Minni and Keira are far from identical. Outgoing Keira has dark brown skin, hair, and eyes like their African American mom. Shy Minni has light skin, red hair, and blue eyes like their Irish American dad. The sisters are visiting their African American grandmother to participate in the Miss Black Pearl preteen program. It’s something Minni dreads, while Keira can’t wait to perform. Keira’s defense of Minni after another contender nastily questions Minni’s blackness makes Minni think more about what it’s like for Keira in their community back home, where theirs is the only African American family. It also makes Minni feel guilty for not speaking out when her sister has faced overt racism at home, and uncertain about her own racial identity. Meanwhile, the girls find plenty of ways to make fun of their strict, old-fashioned grandmother, but some things are too painful for laughter. Grandmother Johnson passionately shares memories of the Civil Rights Movement, but also clearly favors Minni and makes critical comments about Keira’s dark skin and kinky hair. Then Keira accuses Minni of believing what their grandmother’s attitude seem to imply: that she’s better because she’s light. Sundee T. Frazier takes a fearless look at the complex issues of race, identity, and prejudice beyond and within the Black community in this lively, deeply felt novel in which nothing, including love, is black-and-white. ©2010 Cooperative Children’s Book Center
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 9-13
Age Range:
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
African Americans
Colorism
Competitions and Contests
Families
Grandmothers
Identity
Multiracial Characters/Families
Racism
Sisters
Diversity subject:
Black/African
Publisher:
Delacorte
Publish Year: 2010
Pages: 296
ISBN: 9780385734400
CCBC Location: Fiction, Frazier