Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
Longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature
Member of the 2023 Notable Books for a Global Society (NGBS) List
From the beloved author of President of the Whole Fifth Grade, a story about a young Black girl who summons the courage to fight against a discriminatory dress code--and stand up for herself.
Lotus Bloom just wants to express herself--with her violin, her retro style, and her peaceful vibe, not to mention her fabulous hair.
This school year, Lotus is taking her talent and spirit to the seventh grade at a new school of the arts. The one where she just might get to play under the famous maestro, a violin virtuoso and conductor of the orchestra. But Lotus's best friend, Rebel, thinks Lotus should stay at their school. Why should this fancy new school get all the funding and pull the brightest kids out? Rebel wants Lotus to help her protest, but Lotus isn't sure. If she's going to be in the spotlight, she'd rather it be for her music.
Then, when boys throw paper wads and airplanes into Lotus's afro, Lotus finds herself in trouble for a dress code violation. Lotus must choose--should she stay quiet and risk her beloved hair, or put aside her peaceful vibe and risk everything to fight back?
Inspired by real stories of Black girls fighting dress codes that discriminate against their hair and culture, beloved author Sherri Winston introduces a memorable character who finds her way to speak up for what's right, no matter what it takes.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A Black seventh grader navigates a racist dress code in this novel of protest by Winston (Jada Sly, Artist and Spy). Talented violinist Lotus Bloom, who rocks a vintage clothing style and sports an Afro, has recently been accepted into prestigious Atlantis School of the Arts, a "fancy new magnet school" that boasts the state's best youth orchestra. Lotus's best friend isn't thrilled that Lotus is changing schools, firmly believing that Atlantis is "stealing away talented kids" and perpetuating underfunding at public MacArthur Middle. But Lotus quickly becomes smitten with Atlantis when she's placed into the orchestra with her musical idol—faculty member Maestro Santiago Vasquez, "former Cuban refugee turned international violin virtuoso." When she's assigned to first-chair violin, though, she experiences retaliatory bullying from Adolpho Cortez, a ninth grade violinist whose parents were instrumental in the school's creation. Adolpho describes Lotus online using racist memes, and encourages other students to bully her, and she's soon found in violation of the school's dress code "based on the unruly nature of her hair." Ignoring her mother's antiquated counsel, Lotus speaks out—for herself and for MacArthur Middle's funding. Through the eyes of a sprightly, determined student, Winston delivers a powerful message about anti-Blackness, bullying, and institutionalized prejudice. Ages 9–11.
