Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution

Description: 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.

Brief description:

Sherri Winston is the author of President of the Whole Fifth Grade (a Sunshine State Young Readers Award selection), President of the Whole Sixth Grade (a Kids' Indie Next Pick), President of the Whole Sixth Grade: Girl Code, The Sweetest Sound (a Kirkus Best Book of the Year), Jada Sly: Artist & Spy, and The Kayla Chronicles. Before Sherri was an author, she was a longtime newspaper writer and columnist. She grew up in Michigan and now lives in Orlando, Florida.
www.sherriwinston.com
Twitter: @sherriwinston
Instagram: @iamsherriwinston

Review Quotes:

"Lotus is a unique and deeply realized character...and the themes of inequality and racism in schools resonate. A first purchase for public and school libraries, and an excellent choice for book clubs." --School Library Journal, starred review

"Through the eyes of a sprightly, determined student, Winston delivers a powerful message about anti-Blackness, bullying, and institutionalized prejudice." --Publisher's Weekly, starred review

"This captivating novel raises issues of racial discrimination, educational equity, and classism in an approachable way, which will invite readers to consider multiple perspectives through the lively cast of diverse, multifaceted characters." --The Horn Book

"Lotus is a heroine that everyone can root for. Winston carefully navigates the nuanced waters of Black activism, including the often-overlooked concept of maintaining the status quo. . . . A great introduction to protest, activism, and how to use your voice to change the world." --Booklist Online

"Winston employs rich descriptions through Lotus' first-person narration, conveying her love of music. The text brings themes of racism and protest to the forefront, making it a solid conversation starter. . . . A relatable novel that will encourage readers to fight for their rights." --Kirkus Reviews

"A sweet confection for middle graders... will be a hit with readers who like Wendy Mass and Lauren Myracle." --Booklist on President of the Whole Fifth Grade

"Brianna's determination and follow-through make her a great role model, but the true value here is the very real depiction of the ebb and flow of middle-school friendships and the difficulties that come with growing up. An important resource for anyone who's ever been in Brianna's shoes." --Booklist on President of the Whole Sixth Grade

"Winston does an excellent job highlighting the complex race issues that African-American children face. ...Thought-provoking and smart and a great springboard for discussions on race and class." --Kirkus on President of the Whole Sixth Grade: Girl Code, starred review

"Rich and winning... Readers will be rooting for both Cadence as she claims her gift and the community who supports her." --Kirkus Reviews on The Sweetest Sound, starred review

"A gorgeous song of a book - a story about faith, confidence, finding your voice, and singing out loud to lift up the people around you... [Cadence is] a character who will stay with me for a long, long time." --Kate Messner, author of The Seventh Wish, on The Sweetest Sound