{"product_id":"mascot-9781623543808","title":"Mascot","description":"\u003cb\u003eWhat 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. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eA perfect book for future changemakers and activists seeking contemporary stories about systematic racism and empowering kids ages 10+ to fight for justice in their communities. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eIn Rye, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, people work hard, kids go to school, and football is big on Friday nights. An 8th grade English teacher creates an assignment for her class to debate whether Rye's mascot should stay or change. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eNow 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eTold 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. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eAn empowering middle-grade novel, \u003ci\u003eMascot\u003c\/i\u003e is sure to inspire readers and start conversations in classrooms and communities across the country. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Waters and Sorell's plain spoken verse is always sharp and direct.\" --\u003ci\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"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\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eA \u003ci\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/i\u003e Best Book of 2023\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eA New York Public Library Best Book of 2023\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cb\u003eA National Public Radio \"Books We Love\" title of 2023\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eCharles Waters\u003c\/b\u003e is a children's poet, actor, educator, and coauthor of \u003ci\u003eAfrican Town\u003c\/i\u003e;\u003ci\u003e Dictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z\u003c\/i\u003e; and the award-winning \u003ci\u003eCan I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship.\u003c\/i\u003e He lives near Atlanta. www.charleswaterspoetry.com \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eBest-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen \u003cb\u003eTraci Sorell\u003c\/b\u003e writes inclusive, award-winning fiction and nonfiction in a variety of formats for young people. She is a two-time Sibert Medal and Orbis Pictus honoree for her nonfiction work. Her first five books have received awards from the American Indian Library Association. Learn more at www.tracisorell.com.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"Charlesbridge Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50570720772370,"sku":"9781623543808","price":12.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_18550e0c-9488-4dde-93b8-af66af53f287.jpg?v=1731961024","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/mascot-9781623543808","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}