... for his most immediate blood relation ...

[shootingstar]

'Why did you quit (swimming races)?' asked Mrs Elm.
(Nora speaking)
'As soon as I started winning swimming races, I became seen and I didn't want to be seen. And not only seen but seen in a swimmsuit at the exact age you are self-obsessing about your body ...'.

Nora thought back. Her teenage combination of shyness and visibility had been a problematic mix, but she was never bullied, as such, probably because everyone knew her brother (Joe). And Joe, while never exactly tough, was always considered cool and popular enough for his immediate blood relation (Nora, Joe's sister) to be immune to schoolyard tyranny.
(The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, episode Fish Tank)

"For his immediate blood relation" is a prepostional phrase in my opinion. I think this phrase refers to "was considered cool and popular enough". However, the prepositional phrase could also have the meaning "enough for his blood relation to be immune to schoolyard tyranny" - this would emphasise the protection shield of being immune to schoolyard tyranny due to Joe's coolness and popularity. I don't know what the author would like to express.

 

[SoothingDave]

I'm not sure what other meaning you think there could be.

The author is saying that Joe was popular enough that no one would mess with (bully) his family member, Nora.

 

[shootingstar]

I'm not sure what other meaning you think there could be.

The author is saying that Joe was popular enough that no one would mess with (bully) his family member, Nora.

My problem is the word "for". If Nora is thinking she considers Joe's popularity to be enough she should say "And Joe . . . was always considered cool and popular enough by his most immediate blood relation to be immune to schoolyard tyranny" in my opinion. However, if she is thinking Joe's popularity suffices to protect her she should say (like the original) "And Joe . . . was always considered cool and popular enough for his most immediate blood relation to be immune to schoolyard tyranny."

 

[jutfrank]

It's the other schoolchildren who consider Joe cool, which is why they don't bully Nora.

Joe was always considered cool and popular enough by the other children in order for Nora to be immune to bullying.

 

[SoothingDave]

With a "by" the person who is immune from bullying is him.

It's not her opinion that matters, it is the general schoolyard consensus of his popularity that gives her immunity.

 

[shootingstar]

It's the other schoolchildren who consider Joe cool, which is why they don't bully Nora.

Joe was always considered cool and popular enough by the other children in order for Nora to be immune to bullying.

With a "by" the person who is immune from bullying is him.

It's not her opinion that matters, it is the general schoolyard consensus of his popularity that gives her immunity.

Thank you very much. I understand now.