The strength and beauty of this novel lie in the ways in which a community gathers around Noah, despite his bitterness. And here, Antony John is relentless in his honesty, for this is a community of broken people: his mother, who is already dealing with the grief of losing her husband; his neighbor, who has lost his spouse, and whom Noah resents for loving his mother; Alyssa, who sees past the wheelchair, but whom Noah had treated badly; Double-Wide, whose honesty and forthrightness bring startling clarity; and his coach's family, for whom Noah will become an instrument of forgiveness. You'll bawl at the ending, because it is so very real.
The New York Times Book Review - Gary Schmidt
10/22/2018Five Flavors of Dumb ) blends humor and heartache in this powerful, satisfying coming-of-age story that handles Noah’s experience of paraplegia with honesty and sensitivity. Ages 8–12. (Sept.)
The strength and beauty of this novel lie in the ways in which a community gathers around Noah. You’ll bawl at the ending, because it is so very real.” — New York Times Book Review
“Wonderful. Poignant. Beautifully written. Perfect voice. Do not miss this book. Mascot is a masterpiece.” — Roland Smith, New York Times bestselling author of Peak, Zach’s Lie, and Cryptid Hunters
“Mascot is the kind of book that makes me want to dress up in a costume and loudly tell the world about it.” — Obert Skye, bestselling author of the Leven Thumps series
“Noah’s dilemma is universal: the struggle to rebuild identity when what once defined us no longer exists. Highlights the challenges of adapting to puberty and sudden disability at the same time.” — Kirkus Reviews
“This action-packed, humorous story contains well-developed, dynamic characters who are thoughtful and relatable.” — School Library Journal
“It is heartening to see young characters who don’t hesitate at their differences or care what other people think. As Noah comes to terms with his life-changing accident in this refreshingly fastpaced novel, readers will have an easy time cheering him on as he moves toward recovery.” — Booklist
“The comedy balances accessibly with Noah’s grief, and readers will appreciate his return to the field.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
“John blends humor and heartache in this powerful, satisfying coming-of-age story that handles Noah’s experience of paraplegia with honesty and sensitivity.” — Publishers Weekly
It is heartening to see young characters who don’t hesitate at their differences or care what other people think. As Noah comes to terms with his life-changing accident in this refreshingly fastpaced novel, readers will have an easy time cheering him on as he moves toward recovery.
The comedy balances accessibly with Noah’s grief, and readers will appreciate his return to the field.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Wonderful. Poignant. Beautifully written. Perfect voice. Do not miss this book. Mascot is a masterpiece.
The strength and beauty of this novel lie in the ways in which a community gathers around Noah. You’ll bawl at the ending, because it is so very real.
New York Times Book Review
Mascot is the kind of book that makes me want to dress up in a costume and loudly tell the world about it.
It is heartening to see young characters who don’t hesitate at their differences or care what other people think. As Noah comes to terms with his life-changing accident in this refreshingly fastpaced novel, readers will have an easy time cheering him on as he moves toward recovery.
The comedy balances accessibly with Noah’s grief, and readers will appreciate his return to the field.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
08/01/2018
Narrator Maxwell Glick creates a full cast of dynamic and relatable characters in this humorous and heartfelt story. Last year a car crash killed Noah’s father and left Noah without the use of his legs. Now he is navigating seventh grade in a wheelchair and having trouble adjusting emotionally and physically to all the changes in his life. With the help of his childhood friend, Alyssa, and an endearingly sincere new friend named Double Wide (a.k.a. Dee-Dub), Noah hilariously attempts to defeat the school bully, drive away his mom's new “friend,” and face his own fear of moving forward without his dad. Glick reads with just enough snarky attitude to make Noah’s cynical frustration realistic but still sympathetic. S.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile
Narrator Maxwell Glick creates a full cast of dynamic and relatable characters in this humorous and heartfelt story. Last year a car crash killed Noah’s father and left Noah without the use of his legs. Now he is navigating seventh grade in a wheelchair and having trouble adjusting emotionally and physically to all the changes in his life. With the help of his childhood friend, Alyssa, and an endearingly sincere new friend named Double Wide (a.k.a. Dee-Dub), Noah hilariously attempts to defeat the school bully, drive away his mom's new “friend,” and face his own fear of moving forward without his dad. Glick reads with just enough snarky attitude to make Noah’s cynical frustration realistic but still sympathetic. S.C. © AudioFile 2018, Portland, Maine
NOVEMBER 2018 - AudioFile
2018-06-11
