Blackbird Fly

Apple Yengko, a Filipino American eighth-grader in Louisiana, faces bullying and social rejection at her middle school. After being placed on the "Dog Log" - a list of the ugliest girls at school - she retreats into her love of music, particularly The Beatles, which she shared with her late father. Apple dreams of becoming a musician and learning to play guitar, but her mother forbids it, wanting Apple to focus on academics and traditional Filipino values. As tensions mount at school and home, Apple must navigate cultural expectations, cruel classmates, changing friendships, and her own emerging identity. Through Apple's experiences as both an outsider and an aspiring musician, the story explores themes of belonging, self-acceptance, and finding one's voice in the face of prejudice. The novel addresses universal middle school struggles while offering a distinct perspective on the immigrant experience and the healing power of art.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of middle school bullying, cultural identity struggles, and the protagonist Apple's journey of self-discovery through music. Many reviewers note the book resonates with their own experiences as children of immigrants or feeling like outsiders. Readers appreciate: - Realistic depiction of Filipino-American family dynamics - Integration of Beatles music references - Strong character development - Natural dialogue between middle schoolers Common criticisms: - Some find the pacing slow in the first half - A few readers wanted more resolution with certain side characters - Several mention the bullying scenes feel intense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (130+ ratings) Common Sense Media: 4/5 One reader notes: "The cultural elements felt natural rather than forced teaching moments." Another states: "While touching on serious topics, it never becomes overwhelming or preachy."

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🎵 Like the Beatles song that inspired the book's title, main character Apple dreams of becoming a musician - specifically wanting to learn to play George Harrison's guitar parts. 🏆 Author Erin Entrada Kelly is a Newbery Medal winner, though she received this prestigious award for a different book, "Hello, Universe" (2018). 🌏 The story draws from Kelly's own experiences growing up Filipino-American in Louisiana, where she often felt caught between two cultures. 📝 The novel tackles serious themes like racism and bullying while weaving in specific cultural references, including the Filipino tradition of using honorific titles like "Tita" for aunts. 🎸 Each chapter in the book is named after a Beatles song, reflecting both Apple's musical aspirations and her mother's love for the band.