Eric Walters is a well known and good author for middle school books, and this book is no different. Bifocal follows two students: one, a white football star; the other a Muslim geek. This book offers a unique dual perspective of the same events. The book begins when a student at the school is arrested and accused of terrorism. We watch the events unfold from the point of view of each of the boys, with a few instances of the same scene being told from two different points of view. Each chapter focuses on a different main character. By the end the characters meet and discuss the revelations and developments of themselves and their school in the past few weeks since the incident that started it all.
A great book to showcase different view and opinions, especially if you’ve a diverse classroom.
Both characters are male and in grade 11. However, one is white, athletic, Christian, and basically the jr. captain of the football team. The other, is brown, clumsy, Muslim and only gets a spot on the reach for the top team after one of the members is arrested.
The language is easy to follow, the content rich, and the plot simple enough to follow especially given the flipping perspectives. We are able to see a white boy struggle with the concept of being classified as a racist and what that means to him as well as watching another young boy struggle with his identity when a friend is arrested and his twin sisters starts acting out.
Overall a great read and gets 4.5/5!