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Bea Is for Blended Hardcover – May 4, 2021
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Girl power scores a goal in this uplifting story of teamwork, new beginnings, and coming together to fight for what’s right—perfect for fans of Lisa Graff and Lynda Mullaly Hunt.
Bea and her mom have always been a two-person team. But now her mom is marrying Wendell, and their team is growing by three boys, two dogs, and a cat.
Finding her place in her new blended family may be tough, but when Bea finds out her school might not get the all-girls soccer team they’d been promised, she learns that the bigger the team, the stronger the fight—and that for the girls to get what they deserve, they’re going to need a squad behind them.
Lauded as “remarkable” by the New York Times Book Review, Lindsey Stoddard’s heartfelt stories continue to garner critical acclaim, and her latest novel will have fans new and old rooting for Bea as she discovers that building a new life doesn’t mean leaving her old one behind.
- Reading age8 - 12 years
- Print length304 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Grade level3 - 7
- Dimensions5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
- PublisherHarperCollins
- Publication dateMay 4, 2021
- ISBN-100062878166
- ISBN-13978-0062878168
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Review
"A little bit coming of age, family drama, sports hype, and school shenanigans all rolled into one for an appealing read." — School Library Journal
“Stoddard’s characters are fully formed in her latest book, and the themes of family and equality run throughout. Bea is a spitfire of a main character up against an antagonist that readers can cheer against.” — Booklist
Praise for Brave Like That: “Family, love, loyalty, friendship, and bravery are tested in this small-town narrative. A great novel for any tween learning to find their own voice.”
— Booklist
“Heartfelt and triumphant. Cyrus’s journey toward self-acceptance will inspire readers of all ages.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Help comes from surprising directions in this moving, character-driven tale. With a strong, never-preachy anti-bullying message, this one scores a touchdown.” — Kirkus Reviews
"A heartrending and compassionate read about how standing up for something can help you stand up for yourself." — Lesa Cline-Ransome, award-winning author of Finding Langston
"Lindsey Stoddard creates a highly relatable character in Cyrus Olson then puts him on a perfectly paced journey of the heart. Destination: the bravery to reveal his most authentic self to the people he loves." — Leslie Connor, author of The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
“This exploration of courage has a good strong heart-beat: both in terms of compassion and suspense.” — Newbery award winning author Laura Amy Schlitz
Praise for Right as Rain: “This touching middle grade novel addresses the heartache of loss while also providing an insightful, accessible introduction to privilege, homelessness, and gentrification. Honest, gut-wrenching, and hopeful, this is a story about letting people in and discovering you’re a part of something larger.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Timely, well-integrated themes, a vibrant setting, and well-drawn, likable characters make this a winner.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Stoddard has a knack for writing strong, feisty protagonists [and] her exploration of grief’s grip on a family rings true and tender. A remarkable job.” — New York Times Book Review
“Stoddard excels at low-key atmosphere and characterization. Rain’s an admirably strong and sensitive heroine, and her approach to a tough transition will appeal to many readers.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“Stoddard has written a beautiful story about a resilient girl many readers will be able to relate to, and she gently hits on tough topics, such as death and divorce, in a tender and truthful manner.” — Booklist
PRAISE FOR Just Like Jackie: “I was truly moved by this refreshing story about a scrappy young heroine and her struggle to protect her family.” — Sara Pennypacker, New York Times bestselling author of Pax
A story about scratching the surface (and welcoming what you find below). It’s also a lovely story of acceptance - about what makes a family and how we make our own families, and about embracing our differences.” — Ann M. Martin, New York Times bestselling author of Rain Reign
“As close to perfect as a book for middle-grade children can get! Readers will cheer for Robbie as she comes to terms with the family she has and finds the family she needs.” — Cammie McGovern, author of Just My Luck
“A coming-of-age novel as feisty, funny, and forthright as its protagonist. Robinson overcomes obstacles with wit, grit, and a growing compassion for others, showing us that families are what we make them and happiness is found in the simple gifts we take for granted. A rich, rewarding read.” — John David Anderson, author of Ms. Bixby’s Last Day
“Stoddard debuts with a quiet but powerful narrative that gently unpacks Alzheimer’s, centers mental health, and moves through the intimate and intense emotional landscape of family—what seems to break one and what can remake it. Validating, heart-rending, and a deft blend of suffering and inspiration.” — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This emotionally honest, sensitively written novel confronts a range of difficult topics and offers an inclusive view of what family can look like.” — Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“A home-run story that will resonate with all who feel they might not fit into the perfect definition of a family.” — School Library Journal
About the Author
Product details
- Publisher : HarperCollins (May 4, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 304 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0062878166
- ISBN-13 : 978-0062878168
- Reading age : 8 - 12 years
- Grade level : 3 - 7
- Item Weight : 2.31 pounds
- Dimensions : 5.75 x 1 x 8.5 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #2,111,901 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #598 in Children's Stepfamilies Books
- #705 in Children's Books on Marriage & Divorce
- #906 in Children's Books on Adoption
- Customer Reviews:
About the author
I was born and raised in Vermont where I began my love for reading and writing in local libraries and independent bookstores. My parents always like to remind me how well behaved I was growing up, EXCEPT in bookstores. I would run and hide between the shelves because I wanted to live there! I still kinda do... :) I moved to New York City after college and taught middle school English for 10 years in Washington Heights to the most inspiring, creative kids. Their excitement around books motivated me to pursue my other childhood dream, becoming an author for kids. I now live back in Vermont with my husband, two children, and dog.
Customer reviews
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Wonderful MG novel about blended families, sports discrimination & standing up for yourself.
Top reviews from the United States
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- Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2024My daughter has read this book 2 times now. Nothing inappropriate. Heartfelt characters for sure.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2021I'm the first review for this incredible book?! What luck!
This book is for every kid who found themselves unmoored in a blended family, fumbled through it, and found beauty in changing families. This book is for every girl whose concerns and opinions and strengths were pushed to the side. This book is for every boy who needs to be shown the steps in how it feels and looks to step up and be allies to those around them. This book is for every girl who was told she had to look a certain way or act a certain way or behave a certain way. This book is about how educators can help kids bloom and blossom into the best of themselves and how they can have their backs.
This book is about how love changes, morphs, and endures. It's about family standing up for each other, having each other's backs, whether the family is a few weeks old or decades old. It's about allowing people to see you and allowing yourself to fully see others.
So basically, it's for every middle grade reader (and maybe even their parent who wishes this book was out when they were in 6th grade). Well done, Lindsey Stoddard!
- Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2021Bea Is for Blended is a heartwarming book about blending families, teamwork, unlikely friendships, and community. This middle grade book tackles so many topics almost effortlessly. Set in a small town with a soccer-loving, feisty protagonist, this one is perfect for fans of family stories, sports books, and books with strong female protagonists. You might shed a tear or at least give this one a bear hug when you’re done.
- Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2021Bea and her mom refer to themselves as Team Ember. It’s always just been the two of them in their townhome, plus Grandma Bea who takes care of Bea when her mom is at work, Aunt Tam (Bea’s second mom) who lives next door and Maximilian, her best friend. However, today that is changing. Bea’s mom is marrying Wendall, which wouldn’t be so bad, except for two things. Number one, Wendall is Bryce’s dad and Bryce is one of three boys in Bea’s class who have bullied Maximilian for years. Secondly, tomorrow Bea, her mom, and all of Wendall’s family (three boys, two dogs and a cat) are moving to a new house, which is a five minute drive away from Aunt Tam and her best friend, Maximilian and they will all officially become a blended family.
Except for the middle school principal (someone I wish didn’t exist in schools, but unfortunately does), I loved the adults in the story. - Wendall, who loves and supports his new family - Bea and Bryce’s two teachers who demand kindness in their classroom and will go to any length to help their kids find a free reading book they will love - Bea’s mom and grandma who demand Bea always begin her day by telling three things she’s grateful for and have raised Bea to be a strong, caring girl - and finally, all of the supportive parents of her soccer teammates. I loved some kids, as well. - Bea’s new, supportive big brothers - her soccer teammates who courageously fight for the right to play and dedicate themselves to achieving success - Maximilian, who is has always been a caring, supportive friend to Bea - and finally, Bea, who #1, understands Maximilian’s anxiety and is always there to quietly walk him through it and #2 finds the leadership, creativity and courage within herself to persuade the very biased school principal to allow the girls to form a soccer team.
This is a book for soccer lovers, for anyone who loves a heartwarming family story and for those who fiercely believe kindness, fairness and caring toward all makes this world a better place.
- Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2022I'm not a very sporty person, so I didn't expect too much from a book that partially focused on soccer--but this is one of those stories that stayed with me long after I finished. Between the heartfelt moments, girl empowerment, relatable family/friend tensions, and layered/likeable characters, it was such an enjoyable read. The main character, Bea, is reading Bridge to Terabithia, and there are wonderful connections between Bea's experiences and Katherine Paterson's novel.
- Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021Lovers of Brave Like That will find Stoddard’s Bea is for Blended just as satisfying. So many great realistic MG life situations, i.e. blended families, new and changing friendships, discrimination, sports, moving, are threaded together using a new marriage and a newly forming girls’ soccer team. Characters in this wonderful MG novel are distinct and contrast and complement each other beautifully: Bea w/ her strong feelings either for or against people and things in her life, bold and beautiful A who may be good enough to unseat Bea from her throne as MVG in the town’s soccer arena, Principal Meesley and his bigoted and short-sighted view of anything connected to female-kind, Maximilian the OCD and anxious mathematical whiz, and wonderful Nana and her focus on what is good in all of our lives. No profanity, sexual content, and violence is mild and necessary to the bullying incidents in the book. Representation: Most characters appear Caucasian but with names and some physical descriptions, could be another race; same sex parents included, key character is deaf, OCD/anxiety disorder. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley and Edelweiss.
Libraries serving grades 4-8 would do well to make this a “first choice” selection for their collections.
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful MG novel about blended families, sports discrimination & standing up for yourself.Lovers of Brave Like That will find Stoddard’s Bea is for Blended just as satisfying. So many great realistic MG life situations, i.e. blended families, new and changing friendships, discrimination, sports, moving, are threaded together using a new marriage and a newly forming girls’ soccer team. Characters in this wonderful MG novel are distinct and contrast and complement each other beautifully: Bea w/ her strong feelings either for or against people and things in her life, bold and beautiful A who may be good enough to unseat Bea from her throne as MVG in the town’s soccer arena, Principal Meesley and his bigoted and short-sighted view of anything connected to female-kind, Maximilian the OCD and anxious mathematical whiz, and wonderful Nana and her focus on what is good in all of our lives. No profanity, sexual content, and violence is mild and necessary to the bullying incidents in the book. Representation: Most characters appear Caucasian but with names and some physical descriptions, could be another race; same sex parents included, key character is deaf, OCD/anxiety disorder. Thanks for the dARC, NetGalley and Edelweiss.
Reviewed in the United States on July 21, 2021
Libraries serving grades 4-8 would do well to make this a “first choice” selection for their collections.
Images in this review