{"id":8148831142125,"title":"Mascot","handle":"mascot","description":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/charles-waters\"\u003eCharles Waters\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003ca data-mce-fragment=\"1\" href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\" data-mce-href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eTraci Sorell\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSix kids. One mascot. Who wins? \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\" size=\"2\" face=\"Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif\" color=\"#000000\"\u003eIn 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 a contentious issue that already has the suburb turned upside down with everyone choosing sides and arguments getting ugly. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/2aUW4AoOJVAiPq7fDk6DLD?si=XUJ8Bn1lS0iOcaple-9WfQ\u0026amp;nd=1\u0026amp;dlsi=aabb2400d17f4fdd\" target=\"new\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to a review on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/2aUW4AoOJVAiPq7fDk6DLD?si=XUJ8Bn1lS0iOcaple-9WfQ\u0026amp;nd=1\u0026amp;dlsi=aabb2400d17f4fdd\" target=\"new\"\u003eWonder World Book Cafe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/like-vanessa\"\u003eLike Vanessa\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-way-i-say-it\"\u003eThe Way I Say It\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/worst-case-collin\"\u003eWorst-Case Collin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j0PHvTdzo0c\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES- - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1679928869\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1679929076\"\u003eDownload the Discussion Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-excerpt.pdf?v=1714657565\"\u003eDownload an Excerpt\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e \n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER SPREAD BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"spread\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-spread.jpg?v=1679928868\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharles Waters, co-author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCharles Waters is a children’s poet, actor, educator, and coauthor (with Irene Latham) of \u003cem\u003eAfrican Town\u003c\/em\u003e, winner of the 2023 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction; \u003cem\u003eDictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z\u003c\/em\u003e; and the award-winning \u003cem\u003eCan I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship.\u003c\/em\u003e He lives near Atlanta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/charles-waters\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Charles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraci Sorell, co-author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Traci. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2024 Charlotte Huck Award honor book\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Junior Library Guild selection!\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e Best Book of 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA New York Public Library Best Book of 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA National Public Radio \"Books We Love\" title of 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2024 Texas Lone Star Reading List\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn American Indian Youth Literature Honor book\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTold via seven alternating narratives, this ripped-from-the-headlines collaboration in verse by Waters (African Town) and Cherokee Nation member Sorrel (One Land, Many Nations) follows a fictional town’s division over a racist sports mascot. Callie Crossland, who is Cherokee and Black, has just transferred to a middle school in Rye, Va. She immediately expresses disgust at her school’s mascot, a “copper-toned, muscled, loincloth-clad, tomahawk-wielding” caricature of an Indigenous person. Callie’s English teacher Ms. Williams soon assigns a group writing project regarding the “Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots,” and Callie is annoyed at being paired with Black classmate Franklin, who believes the mascot “brings so much joy.” Waters and Sorrel paint a complex portrait of the differing reactions toward the controversy by layering the racially diverse tweens’ perspectives and showcasing the effects the event has on their individual relationships and the community beyond their school. The creators eschew judgment to present a well-rounded discussion about classism and racism, as well as effective allyship, with compassion and understanding. A glossary and resources conclude. Ages 10–up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaters and Sorell (Cherokee Nation) join forces to write about the power of being true to oneself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a middle school in Rye, a fictional town near Washington, D.C., a racist mural and offensive pep rally chants shock new student Callie Crossland, who is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and African American. Callie shares a heartfelt poem with her seventh grade honors English class, reminding everyone that the “stupid tomahawk-chop chant” and the “cheap chicken-feather headdress” are nothing less than symbols of “white supremacy.” Afterward, Ms. Williams, her teacher, assigns a persuasive writing and oration project entitled “Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots.” The small, broadly diverse group of students is assigned to work in pairs; Callie is matched with Franklin, who is Black and a proud fan of the Rye Braves football team. Franklin insists, “I wish we could Lysol racism away. \/ It’s a bad odor,” but he feels conflicted: “I still don’t think our mascot is racist though. It brings so much joy. \/ …what’s the big deal?” This clever novel unfolds in poems told in multiple voices showing the wide range of students’, families’, and community responses to the controversy; for some, initial feelings of opposition, hesitation, or indifference change and friendships are tested. The compelling, highly relevant subject matter and accessible text invite readers to understand different perspectives and witness individual growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA brilliant story not to be missed; deeply engaging from the first page. (glossary, additional information and resources) (Verse fiction. 10-14)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMs. Williams tasks her eighth-grade honors English students with a persuasive writing and oral presentation assignment arguing the pros and cons of using Indige-nous peoples as mascots. Throughout the course of a school year the story unfolds in a series of poems that detail the per-spectives of six students: Callie (Cherokee African), Franklin (African American), Priya (Indian American), Luis (Salvadoran American), Tessa (white and previously homeschooled), and Sean (working-class white). Predictably, Callie, Priya, and Tessa (who sees herself as a committed antiracist) oppose Indigenous mascots, while the boys, who enjoy war paint and tomahawk chops at Rye Braves games, claim the mascot de-picts pride in the team and their school. While the discord around the mascot is a long-standing one in the Virginia community, the assignment empowers the students to take the issue to the school board. After further research, one student switches sides, losing a friend in the process. While the plot requires a fair amount of exposition detailing history and arguments on both sides, the characters are well developed and believable, and the story flows smoothly. A valuable classroom pick that demonstrates the importance of debate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaters and Sorell’s novel in verse, told in alternating perspectives, tackles the relevant topic of racist imagery in mascots. In the football town of Rye, VA, Callie, who is Black and a member of the Cherokee Nation, shares her earnest poem in eighth-grade honors English class about using Indigenous peoples as mascots. Their teacher then sets up a formal debate to address the pros and cons of the school’s Indigenous mascot. The diverse group of students have varied backgrounds and strong feelings about the issue. As they work through their debate, questions about what is right emerge, friendships are tested, and what it means to be an ally is brought forth. Each character grows throughout the book. However, as in life, the issue remains sensitive and unresolved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVERDICT Highly recommended as a pick for classrooms to use in debate and conversations; a timely and important novel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eCybil Awards, finalist review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell is a novel in verse set in a contemporary urban middle school that is grappling with the question of whether their Native American school mascot is racist or not. Presented through multiple points of view, many arguments are presented both for and against, sometimes from surprising sources. Questions are raised about representation, class issues, income disparity, and privilege by engaging and believable characters who are white, Black, Native, Latino, and Indian. In the end, not everyone comes to see the need to change the school mascot—a realistic conclusion—but the poets show young people standing up for change while also weaving in practical steps and resources for doing so throughout the narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-380-8\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 10 and up\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 256\u003cbr\u003e5\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e 8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]","published_at":"2023-03-27T11:08:43-04:00","created_at":"2023-03-27T10:46:58-04:00","vendor":"Charlesbridge","type":"Children's Book","tags":["Browse by Age_Middle Grade","Browse by Fiction\/Nonfiction_Fiction","Browse by Format_Novel","Browse by Language_English","Browse by Subject_Diversity","Browse by Subject_Life Lessons \u0026 Skills","Browse by Subject_Poetry \u0026 Language","Browse by Subject_School Days","Browse by Subject_Social Studies\/Cultures"],"price":1799,"price_min":1799,"price_max":1799,"available":true,"price_varies":false,"compare_at_price":null,"compare_at_price_min":0,"compare_at_price_max":0,"compare_at_price_varies":false,"variants":[{"id":44033986789613,"title":"Hardcover","option1":"Hardcover","option2":null,"option3":null,"sku":"43808","requires_shipping":true,"taxable":false,"featured_image":{"id":38651789803757,"product_id":8148831142125,"position":1,"created_at":"2023-03-27T10:55:42-04:00","updated_at":"2023-03-27T10:55:44-04:00","alt":null,"width":600,"height":906,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944","variant_ids":[44033986789613]},"available":true,"name":"Mascot - Hardcover","public_title":"Hardcover","options":["Hardcover"],"price":1799,"weight":439,"compare_at_price":null,"inventory_quantity":10,"inventory_management":"shopify","inventory_policy":"continue","barcode":"9781623543808","featured_media":{"alt":null,"id":31246700937453,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.662,"height":906,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944"}},"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_allocations":[]}],"images":["\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944"],"featured_image":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944","options":["Title"],"media":[{"alt":null,"id":31246700937453,"position":1,"preview_image":{"aspect_ratio":0.662,"height":906,"width":600,"src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944"},"aspect_ratio":0.662,"height":906,"media_type":"image","src":"\/\/www.charlesbridge.com\/cdn\/shop\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944","width":600}],"requires_selling_plan":false,"selling_plan_groups":[],"content":"\u003ch6\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/h6\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR\/ILLUSTRATOR INFO BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy: \u003ca href=\"\/pages\/charles-waters\"\u003eCharles Waters\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003ca data-mce-fragment=\"1\" href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\" data-mce-href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eTraci Sorell\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER HEADING BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSix kids. One mascot. Who wins? \u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DESCRIPTION BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"color: #000000; font-family: Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;\" size=\"2\" face=\"Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif\" color=\"#000000\"\u003eIn 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 a contentious issue that already has the suburb turned upside down with everyone choosing sides and arguments getting ugly. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\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\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/2aUW4AoOJVAiPq7fDk6DLD?si=XUJ8Bn1lS0iOcaple-9WfQ\u0026amp;nd=1\u0026amp;dlsi=aabb2400d17f4fdd\" target=\"new\"\u003eListen\u003c\/a\u003e to a review on \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/episode\/2aUW4AoOJVAiPq7fDk6DLD?si=XUJ8Bn1lS0iOcaple-9WfQ\u0026amp;nd=1\u0026amp;dlsi=aabb2400d17f4fdd\" target=\"new\"\u003eWonder World Book Cafe\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER RECOMMENDATIONS BELOW - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"recommended-books\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you like this book, you’ll enjoy these: \u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/like-vanessa\"\u003eLike Vanessa\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/the-way-i-say-it\"\u003eThe Way I Say It\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/products\/worst-case-collin\"\u003eWorst-Case Collin\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - START OF TABS - - - - - - - -- - - --\u003e [TABS]\n\u003ch5\u003eWatch the Trailer\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j0PHvTdzo0c\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER DOWNLOADABLES- - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDownloadables\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"medium-cover\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/products\/mascot-cover.jpg?v=1679928944\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-cover-hires.jpg.zip?v=1679928869\"\u003eDownload the Cover\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-discussion-guide.pdf?v=1679929076\"\u003eDownload the Discussion Guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"btn-wrapper\"\u003e\u003ca class=\"product-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-excerpt.pdf?v=1714657565\"\u003eDownload an Excerpt\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/div\u003e \n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - ENTER SPREAD BELOW - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eLook Inside\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"spread\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/mascot-spread.jpg?v=1679928868\"\u003e\u003c!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --\u003e\u003cscript type=\"text\/javascript\" async=\"\" defer data-pin-shape=\"round\" data-pin-height=\"32\" data-pin-hover=\"true\" src=\"\/\/assets.pinterest.com\/js\/pinit.js\"\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER AUTHOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAuthors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCharles Waters, co-author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCharles Waters is a children’s poet, actor, educator, and coauthor (with Irene Latham) of \u003cem\u003eAfrican Town\u003c\/em\u003e, winner of the 2023 Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction; \u003cem\u003eDictionary for a Better World: Poems, Quotes, and Anecdotes from A to Z\u003c\/em\u003e; and the award-winning \u003cem\u003eCan I Touch Your Hair? Poems of Race, Mistakes and Friendship.\u003c\/em\u003e He lives near Atlanta.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/charles-waters\"\u003eRead more \u003c\/a\u003eabout Charles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - ENTER ILLUSTRATOR BIO BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTraci Sorell, co-author\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBest-selling author and Cherokee Nation citizen Traci Sorell 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/traci-sorell\"\u003eRead more\u003c\/a\u003e about Traci. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - ENTER AWARDS \u0026 HONORS BELOW - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAwards \u0026amp; Honors\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e \u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2024 Charlotte Huck Award honor book\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA Junior Library Guild selection!\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA \u003cem\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e Best Book of 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA New York Public Library Best Book of 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA National Public Radio \"Books We Love\" title of 2023\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e2024 Texas Lone Star Reading List\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAn American Indian Youth Literature Honor book\u003c\/li\u003e\n \u003cli\u003eBank Street College of Education's Best Children's Books of the Year 2024\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - ENTER REVIEWS BELOW - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eEditorial Reviews\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003ePublishers Weekly\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTold via seven alternating narratives, this ripped-from-the-headlines collaboration in verse by Waters (African Town) and Cherokee Nation member Sorrel (One Land, Many Nations) follows a fictional town’s division over a racist sports mascot. Callie Crossland, who is Cherokee and Black, has just transferred to a middle school in Rye, Va. She immediately expresses disgust at her school’s mascot, a “copper-toned, muscled, loincloth-clad, tomahawk-wielding” caricature of an Indigenous person. Callie’s English teacher Ms. Williams soon assigns a group writing project regarding the “Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots,” and Callie is annoyed at being paired with Black classmate Franklin, who believes the mascot “brings so much joy.” Waters and Sorrel paint a complex portrait of the differing reactions toward the controversy by layering the racially diverse tweens’ perspectives and showcasing the effects the event has on their individual relationships and the community beyond their school. The creators eschew judgment to present a well-rounded discussion about classism and racism, as well as effective allyship, with compassion and understanding. A glossary and resources conclude. Ages 10–up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cimg src=\"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/0101\/files\/star-fade.gif?4673889858015672850\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eKirkus Reviews\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e, starred review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaters and Sorell (Cherokee Nation) join forces to write about the power of being true to oneself.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn a middle school in Rye, a fictional town near Washington, D.C., a racist mural and offensive pep rally chants shock new student Callie Crossland, who is a citizen of the Cherokee Nation and African American. Callie shares a heartfelt poem with her seventh grade honors English class, reminding everyone that the “stupid tomahawk-chop chant” and the “cheap chicken-feather headdress” are nothing less than symbols of “white supremacy.” Afterward, Ms. Williams, her teacher, assigns a persuasive writing and oration project entitled “Pros and Cons of Indigenous Peoples as Mascots.” The small, broadly diverse group of students is assigned to work in pairs; Callie is matched with Franklin, who is Black and a proud fan of the Rye Braves football team. Franklin insists, “I wish we could Lysol racism away. \/ It’s a bad odor,” but he feels conflicted: “I still don’t think our mascot is racist though. It brings so much joy. \/ …what’s the big deal?” This clever novel unfolds in poems told in multiple voices showing the wide range of students’, families’, and community responses to the controversy; for some, initial feelings of opposition, hesitation, or indifference change and friendships are tested. The compelling, highly relevant subject matter and accessible text invite readers to understand different perspectives and witness individual growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA brilliant story not to be missed; deeply engaging from the first page. (glossary, additional information and resources) (Verse fiction. 10-14)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBooklist\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMs. Williams tasks her eighth-grade honors English students with a persuasive writing and oral presentation assignment arguing the pros and cons of using Indige-nous peoples as mascots. Throughout the course of a school year the story unfolds in a series of poems that detail the per-spectives of six students: Callie (Cherokee African), Franklin (African American), Priya (Indian American), Luis (Salvadoran American), Tessa (white and previously homeschooled), and Sean (working-class white). Predictably, Callie, Priya, and Tessa (who sees herself as a committed antiracist) oppose Indigenous mascots, while the boys, who enjoy war paint and tomahawk chops at Rye Braves games, claim the mascot de-picts pride in the team and their school. While the discord around the mascot is a long-standing one in the Virginia community, the assignment empowers the students to take the issue to the school board. After further research, one student switches sides, losing a friend in the process. While the plot requires a fair amount of exposition detailing history and arguments on both sides, the characters are well developed and believable, and the story flows smoothly. A valuable classroom pick that demonstrates the importance of debate.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSchool Library Journal\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWaters and Sorell’s novel in verse, told in alternating perspectives, tackles the relevant topic of racist imagery in mascots. In the football town of Rye, VA, Callie, who is Black and a member of the Cherokee Nation, shares her earnest poem in eighth-grade honors English class about using Indigenous peoples as mascots. Their teacher then sets up a formal debate to address the pros and cons of the school’s Indigenous mascot. The diverse group of students have varied backgrounds and strong feelings about the issue. As they work through their debate, questions about what is right emerge, friendships are tested, and what it means to be an ally is brought forth. Each character grows throughout the book. However, as in life, the issue remains sensitive and unresolved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVERDICT Highly recommended as a pick for classrooms to use in debate and conversations; a timely and important novel.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003ci\u003eCybil Awards, finalist review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMascot by Charles Waters and Traci Sorell is a novel in verse set in a contemporary urban middle school that is grappling with the question of whether their Native American school mascot is racist or not. Presented through multiple points of view, many arguments are presented both for and against, sometimes from surprising sources. Questions are raised about representation, class issues, income disparity, and privilege by engaging and believable characters who are white, Black, Native, Latino, and Indian. In the end, not everyone comes to see the need to change the school mascot—a realistic conclusion—but the poets show young people standing up for change while also weaving in practical steps and resources for doing so throughout the narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003c!-- - - - - - - - - - - - ENTER DETAILS BELOW - - - - - - - - - - - --\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eDetails\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardcover\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eISBN: 978-1-62354-380-8\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAges: 10 and up\u003cbr\u003ePage count: 256\u003cbr\u003e5\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e2\u003c\/sub\u003e x \u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e 8\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csup data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e1\u003c\/sup\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e\/\u003c\/span\u003e\u003csub data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e4\u003c\/sub\u003e\u003cspan data-mce-fragment=\"1\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n[\/TABS]"}