Half and Half

Rating:
Summary: So Inauthentic, What a disappointment!
Review: I'm biracial, and a teacher of elementary children, many of whom are multi-racial or adopted children whose parents are of a different ethnicity. I was so hopeful when I bought this book, but the main character's voice is so unbelievable. No child of this character's age has the insights or identity development to say and do the things she does. I wish it had been the book I was hoping for. Very disaapointing.

Rating:
Summary: Badly researced book
Review: The author must have spend fifteen minutes on the internet researching this book and it shows. Her main character is shown learning Highland dancing three days before Seattle's Folk Life Festival. With such brief preparation, she is considered good enough to be able to perform. I was a Highland dancer in my youth and continue a close association with the craft and it is laughable to think anyone could learn this difficult art form in a matter of days. It's like saying a child could take up ice skating three days before an ice show and be good enough to entertain a crowd.

The author, also, correctly states that Highland dancing was originally for men only. Part of the premise of the book is that her family is hesitant to let her wear a kilt, because it's for men only. I took up Highland Dancing in the early 1960's and there was never any hesitation to let a girl wear a kilt. In fact female Highland dancers, then and now, continue to far outnumber boys.

This book is a badly written, poorly researched, boring book. Don't waste your time.