Mascot (Hardcover) (ISBN-13: 9781623543808)

What if a school's mascot is seen as racist, but not by everyone? In this compelling middle-grade novel in verse, two best-selling BIPOC authors tackle this hot-button issue.

In Rye, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, people work hard, kids go to school, and football is big on Friday nights. An eighth-grade English teacher creates an assignment for her class to debate whether Rye's mascot should stay or change. Now six middle schoolers--all with different backgrounds and beliefs--get involved in the contentious issue that already has the suburb turned upside down with everyone choosing sides and arguments getting ugly.

Told from several perspectives, readers see how each student comes to new understandings about identity, tradition, and what it means to stand up for real change.

"Waters and Sorell's plain spoken verse is always sharp and direct." --The New York Times Book Review

"The kids and I are so grateful for this gift you both have given to teachers, kids, and our world." -Ms. Corgill, 5th Grade Teacher, Alabama

• A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2023
• A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023
• A National Public Radio "Books We Love" title of 2023

Author: Charles Waters, Traci Sorell
ISBN-10: 1623543800
ISBN-13: 9781623543808
Publisher: Charlesbridge Publishing
Language: English
Published: 09/05/2023
Pages: 256
Format: Hardcover
Weight: 1.00lbs
Size: 8.35h x 5.67w x 1.02d
Award: American Indian Youth Literature Award - Honor Book

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 07/15/2023
Publishers Weekly 07/17/2023
Booklist 07/01/2023 pg. 66
School Library Journal 11/17/2023 pg. 1