The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Draper, Sharon. Blended. Simon and Schuster, New York, NY, 10020. 2018. Kindle AZW file.

Isabella Badia Thornton is the daughter of Isaiah and Nicole. Isaiah is Black and Nicole is white, and Isabella has some of the features of each parent, though her skin is far darker than Nicole's. This means that some people stare when Isabella and Nicole are in public together – a situation that never arises when Isabella is out with Isaiah. When Nicole and Isaiah divorced, Isaiah moved to California with Isabella visiting him a few times a year. A few years later, Isaiah moved back to Cincinnati. The custody agreement was modified so that Isabella now divides her time equally between her father's house and her mother's. They make the exchange every Sunday afternoon at a designated spot in the local mall. Isaiah and Nicole often argue or refuse to speak to each other during these meetings. Isaiah lives with a woman named Anastasia and her son Darren in a huge house in an upscale neighborhood. Nicole lives with her boyfriend John Mark in the modest home Nicole and Isaiah shared before their divorce. Isabella does not really feel at home in either house. She has learned to adapt to the different houses with different lifestyles and expectations.

Nicole and Isaiah gave Isabella a toy piano when she was very young. She was immediately enthralled with her ability to make music. Her talent and dedication grew so that her parents bought her a full-sized Casio keyboard. She still practices diligently on that keyboard at Nicole's house, sometimes carrying it to the Waffle House where Nicole works as a waitress. At Isaiah's house, Isabella practices on a baby grand piano in a room set aside just for music. She studies with an accomplished pianist named Madame Rubenstein.

Isabella attends a school that is located near both homes. Her best friends are a Black girl named Imani and a white girl named Heather. One day, a teacher named Mr. Kazilly leads the class in a discussion about racially motivated crimes in history. The class discusses the symbolism of a noose. Imani berates a boy named Logan who claims he does not understand why the noose is a bad symbol. Later, Imani finds a noose in her gym locker. The situation prompts a school investigation. Classes are dismissed the next day, and everyone is on edge when they return the following Monday. Later, officials take Logan from class for his involvement. He is suspended and put into therapy.

A white man named John Mark is the manager at a bowling alley and drives a large pickup. He is devoted to Isabella, and seeks her approval before he proposes to Nicole. A short time later, Isaiah surprises everyone by proposing to Anastasia at a fancy restaurant. Though Isabella struggles with the changes that are happening in her life, she obviously cares deeply for Anastasia and John Mark.

On the day of the important piano recital, Isabella is at Isaiah's house. When both Isaiah and Anastasia are called to work, Darren readily agrees to take Isabella to the recital with plans for the adults to meet them. Darren also readily agrees to stop for ice cream – one of Isabella's favorite outings. Moments after buying the ice cream, police order Darren to pull over. After accusing him of robbing a nearby bank, they push him to the ground and handcuff him. They pull Isabella from the car, pointing guns at both Isabella and Darren. When police get a description of the robber that could not possibly be Darren, Isabella assumes the situation has been resolved. She reaches into her pocket to retrieve her cell phone to let her parents know why she is late. An officer shouts, “Gun!” and shoots Isabella in the arm.

Isabella wakes hours later in the hospital. The wound is not life-threatening, but she has a serious concussion from falling on the sidewalk. Isabella discovers that her experience has prompted a change in attitude for both Isaiah and Nicole who become kinder to each other. There is also a public outcry over the police violence which was apparently prompted by racial profiling. As Isabella is about to be released from the hospital, she thinks about a musical piece playing over the speakers. The music uses base and treble notes, with both black keys and white keys, all blended perfectly.