Colorblind

August 1, 2017

Gr 4-6-Lisa Parker is on the verge of starting sixth grade in the fall of 1968 in Montgomery, AL. One of her teachers, Miss Loomis, is African American, and she has been hired, in part, to help the school move positively toward racial integration. Lisa, who was born with a cleft palate and is very shy as a result, connects instantly with her new teacher. Both of them are soon exposed to extreme bullying from parents, students, and faculty. The book juxtaposes Lisa's experiences with discrimination based on her disability-and her growing awareness of racism-with the pressures on Miss Loomis's physical and mental health over the course of the school year. While well-meaning in its approach to race and disability, the book falters in its handling of sensitive issues. One-dimensional characters, unlikely plot situations, and didactic dialogue oversimplify a complex set of experiences. A problematic ending involving the wasting away of one character while another flourishes seems inappropriate for a 21st-century book on race. Some questionable descriptions of disability that are not fully explored could also confuse younger readers. While the topics addressed are best suited for a middle grade audience, Lisa seems much younger than many of the targeted readers. VERDICT An unfortunately weak historical novel on an important and little-explored historical subject.-Maryanne Olson, Queens Borough Public Library, NY

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.