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“This is the first week of the rest of your life. Make it count. Okay?”
Seventh-grader Noah Savino has been stuck in a wheelchair for months.
He hates the way people look at him now, like he's totally helpless. He's sick of going to physical therapy, where he isn't making any progress. He's tired of not having control over his own body. And he misses baseball--but not as much as he misses his dad, who died in the car accident that paralyzed Noah.
Between dealing with his disability and the guilt that's been weighing on him since the accident, Noah is scared he'll never feel like his old self again. He doesn't want people to think of him as different for the rest of his life.
If Noah is ever going to throw himself back in the game, he'll need to take off the mask he's been hiding behind and confront the fears that have been holding him back.
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Reviews
“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.” — Gary D. Schmidt, New York Times Book Review
"Wonderful. Poignant. Beautifully written. Perfect voice. Do not miss this book. Mascot is a masterpiece.” — Roland Smith, NY Times bestselling author.
"Mascot is fantastic! It’s the kind of book that makes me want to dress up in a costume and loudly tell the world about it.” — Obert Skye
“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
“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 here, and readers will appreciate his return to the field." — BCCB
"There is so much I want to tell you about this book! I loved each page as this story unfolded. This is a book that could be read as a class and entertain and teach in equal measures.” — Kiss The Book (reviewed by Cindy, middle school librarian)
Honors
Junior Library Guild selection, 2018
Bank Street College of Education Best Children's Books of the Year list, 2019
