Mascots approaches the topic of cultural representation, appropriations, and allyship in a fresh and thoughtful provoking way. The diverse characters (ethnicity, religion, gender, orientation, and age) give readers so many perspectives to consider while figuring out where they personally land on the issue of team mascots. I appreciated the fact that this novel is written in verse. Not only did it lend itself well to having multiple narrators for the book. But, it creates a quick and accessible read for middle grade or teen readers. The format makes an important issue an approachable read for a wide audience. The characters, like any group of students & adults, all started at different places in the discussion on whether or not the school mascot and traditions were racist depictions of Native Americans. Through their school assignments, family discussions, research, and experiences, almost every character demonstrates some growth or movement on the issue or on how to deal with friends and loved ones who aren’t on the same side as you. The author approaches what could be a highly divisive and hotly contested issue in a calm, respectful way, using relatable experiences and analogies to show the character’s navigating through the opinions to understand what they personally believe to be true. I will definitely be adding this to our school’s collection this year. Thank you to Net Galley for a digital ARC.

When a school’s sport mascot is brought up for a debate, each student has plenty to say- for and against changing it. So much to learn. Eloquent and powerful.

This book was great! I loved how the students stood up for what was right. I also really enjoyed how the book was told in alternate perspectives so you could see each different character's ideas.

An amazing novel in verse that you won't be able to put down. The story is told from multiple points of view: 8th grade students and their English teacher.

The teacher gives a group project, with assigned partners, for a debate about whether mascots should be native American or racist figures. Each pair if kids was also given which side of the topic they have to argue for. You see, when the kids go into the high school next year, their mascot would be the Braves, so they have some buy-in to the idea of whether they should change the mascot or not.

Timely and thought-provoking, this was a super fast read that I thoroughly enjoyed.

I thought this was a story that was timely and is going to spark interesting conversations with students. I like how each character had a specific point of view about the school 's mascot. It showed a realistic portrayal of how young people might handle this situation. I would recommend this book to middles schoolers who want a quick read with an engaging topic.

This novel in verse set in Washington, D.C., cycles through six students that are dealing with the racist school mascot, a Native American Brave. The characters Callie (Indigenous), Sean (White - Irish), Teassa (White), Luis (Hispanic), Priya (Indian), and Franklin (African American) each have their own voices, beliefs, personalities, and family issues that shine through the book and the simple poetry that helps make this book a really fast read. Callie joins with Priya, Franklin, and Tessa in a campaign to change the racist mascot of the school, offended by the misrepresentations that fill every school event, sports and more. Luis and Sean don't seen a problem with the mascot, Go Braves all the way, which fractures the long held friendship between Luis and Franklin. The story begins with Callie and how uncomfortable and offended she is by the mascot, and how she joins with the others and how Luis and Sean split away from them. A debate of the pros and cons of the current mascot puts the middle schoolers in duo teams with those that don't agree with and might have to debate on the side they don't believe in either. The book brings in protest, presenting to the school board, getting parents and teachers involved, reaching out to the high school kids, too. an excellent look at racism as each student delves into the history of Indigenous tribes and their only racial identities as well. A wonderful, quick read.

I can hardly believe it's taken a book like this so long to hit the shelves! Mascot is timely, relevant, and includes perspectives of people from all sides of the discussion. Mascot presents ideas in a respectful way that young people will understand and relate to. Readers will almost certainly know some of these characters in real life. I can't wait for this book to be published so I can put a copy in my classroom library!

This book's story structure was so unexpected but a pleasant surprise! I enjoyed reading the different POVs, the storytelling kept me interested throughout and had me invested in the characters from very early on! The book covered a topic that I've been hoping to see covered in media like contemporary books for a long time, and it's a timely conversation to be had, so I'm extra glad to see it adapted for a younger audience. Books to come that are taking on the goal of tackling topics of racism in our society for adolescents should definitely take note from Mascot's narrative and form!

A well-written look at a timely topic. This story is told from multiple points of view and is sympathetic to each one. Each character is developed, relatable, and real. There will be a lot in here to chew on and discuss for readers of all backgrounds.

Having all the different perspectives of what the mascot means is an exciting way to read the book. A thought-provoking book that will bring hard questions to the forefront. I like how more indigenous books and/or authors are willing to get their culture to the table to say we are still here. With over 500 tribes in the US alone, most people don’t realize that. And because of that, they become “something else” on CNN. This will be a book I will make sure gets in the library on a reservation.

Amazing and insightful—told from alternating perspectives of 8th grade students who hold various views about their school’s mascot (the Braves).

There are so many layers and issues which students today will be able to relate to.

This was good, the imagery was a little harder to see over the door of no return. The way the book focuses on the mascot issue is one the we fought a few years ago and I guess still today. I will say in real life I was on prom ascot side but after reading this I can understand why the anti mascots wanted a change. Tessa was an interesting character and I felt her pain she wanted to do what was right. I think the students would enjoy this.

Really enjoyed the diversity of voices, the strength of the verse, and how compelling the narrative was! I highly recommend this for public and school library collections, and I think it would make an excellent children's book group title.

✨ Review ✨ Mascot by Charles Waters; Traci Sorell

Wow! I love novels in verse, and this one especially makes an impact. This book moves between the perspectives of six 8th-graders who are assigned a project to debate whether their school's mascot should stay or be changed. Each of the students comes from a very different perspective, and we see throughout the assignment how their perspectives change and grow, even among those that continue to resist against the idea of change.

It's a book that makes for a great point of conversation, especially among middle grades audiences about topics of race, justice, worldview, and more.

I did worry a little about whether the characters felt a little bit stereotypical -- not because they weren't real and believable, but because they're filling these sort of archetypal roles in the conflict. With that said, since it's written for a middle grades audience, this lack of nuance might also be valuable.

Overall, a really powerful read, and one that can inspire kids and adults!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: middle grade, contemporary fiction, novel in verse
Setting: Rye, Virginia
Pub Date: September 5, 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ novels in verse
⭕️ middle grade books that tackle race and activism

Thanks to Charlesbridge and #netgalley for an advanced e-copy of this book!

This incredibly important and timely novel in verse was one I couldn’t put down. A teacher assigned students to debate whether or not a school mascot should change to something inoffensive. Students don’t get to choose their side, so it is difficult for some of them to change perspectives. The story is told in alternating perspectives among the six students and the teacher. Seeing them go through the process and the resulting actions is an important thing to watch. This would make an excellent read aloud for my activism unit.

An amazing and timely novel-in-verse told through multiple points of view about a group of eighth graders given an assignment to show the pros and cons of using Indigenous People as mascots. The teacher assigned the pairs and who was to argue for and against. Callie, a Cherokee Nation citizen, is assigned with Franklin who likes their Braves mascot who wields a tomahawk. The others are paired with those who feel the opposite. As the story unfolds, feelings and friends are hurt. Some groups are cyber bullied. The kids go to a school board meeting with a petition to show they want to have the mascot changed. What does the school board end up doing?

I am finding it difficult to put into words how I feel about this novel in verse. I love it.

This is the first time I've read a book where each of the characters, on both sides of the issue presented (using a harmful Native stereotype as a school mascot), are people you can sympathize with. The authors took such great care to keep every person in this book human. No one was a villain, not really. But there were human beings who were wrong. And human beings who were hurt. And human beings who learned how to be better humans.

And I think that is what makes this book so special.

ᎦᎵᎮᎵᎦ. Galiheliga. Thank you, Traci Sorell and Charles Waters, for bringing this story into the world.