Purchase to Support Our Program

“Growing up in Ireland, Diop often struggled with his identity; as the eldest child of a white Irish mother and a Senegalese father, he was frequently the only mixed-race person in social situations, and he encountered racism throughout his childhood and young adulthood. …But despite these challenges, he found comfort and resilience in his relationships with his family and friends. …An uplifting and engaging look at growing up mixed-race in Ireland.”

—Kirkus Reviews

 

Mixed Up: An Irish Boy’s Journey to Belonging

Written by Leon Diop
Published by Little Island Books

Mixed-race experience has never been described so honestly. Diop, a charismatic public figure and strong positive male role-model for young people, tells his story from his first day as the only mixed race boy in school to his powerful recent experience reconnecting with his African roots in Senegal.

Growing up, Diop struggled with his identity, got into trouble, and lost his way, before turning his life around and finding his mission: helping Black and mixed-race people tell their own stories. He founded Black & Irish and developed it into an advocacy group, a podcast with RTÉ, and an award-winning book.

Now it is Diop’s turn to tell his own story, his journey from mixed-up kid to embracing his own identity, one that will inspire young people and help counter dangerous political narratives in society today.

Primary ISBN:
Publication Date: May 2026
Available As: Paperback
Middle Grade, Nonfiction, Memoir, Age 11 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , ,

Setting: Ireland

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

Click here for details about how we define our titles.

Engagement Projects & Resources:

Share your favorite resources for this book with info@imyourneighborbooks.org.