Waters, Charles. Mascot. Addl. Creators Traci Sorell. Charlesbridge, 09/2023. 256pp.
Fiction. Trade $17.99. 978-1-62354-380-8. GRADES 5–9. OUTSTANDING.
This novel in verse by Native American award-winning authors Sorell and Waters follows six students living in a DC suburb in their final year of middle school. The students are given an assignment by their English teacher, an African American woman, to do a persuasive writing and oration project on the pros and cons of Indigenous people as sports mascots. As the multi-racial group of students research and grapple with the issue, the entire town is also debating school mascots in response to walkouts protesting the local high school football team mascot, the Braves. In short verse segments, each of the six students confront their own personal relationship to the school mascot as well as to race and racism in general. The sparse and concise writing conveys depth and emotion about this relevant and timely topic.
Rachael Reiley—Hillcrest Elementary K-8 / Oakland Unified School District