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Summary
Summary
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.
Reviews (5)
School Library Journal Review
Gr 5 Up--"All I ever wanted to do was play my music and be free to express myself," declares rising seventh grader Lotus Bloom; but the conflict-averse, peace-and-love violinist is facing new obstacles this year. Her best friend, Rebel, believes Lotus should stay at their underfunded neighborhood school and fight to improve it, instead of attending the new performing arts school, Atlantis. When Lotus, who is Black, is promoted to concertmaster, she makes an instant enemy in Adolpho, who was demoted, and whose mother is a powerful fundraiser for the new school. Adolpho and his friends begin targeting Lotus's afro, and the girl realizes she has to take action. Rebel urges her to fight, but Lotus's divorced parents agree that compromise might be best. With a best friend who is dismissive of her feelings and parents and teachers who are oblivious to the extent of Adolpho's bullying, an overwhelmed Lotus struggles to answer the question of who she is. Eventually, Lotus realizes, "There's a certain peace that comes with confronting what's wrong, and making it right for you." Lotus is a unique and deeply realized character, and while the diverse secondary characters aren't as developed as they could be, the scenes of Lotus playing music are beautiful, and the themes of inequality and racism in schools resonate. VERDICT A first purchase for public and school libraries, and an excellent choice for book clubs.--Jenny Arch
Publisher's Weekly Review
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. (Sept.)
Horn Book Review
Seventh grader Lotus Bloom marches to the beat of her own drum. She rocks a unique vintage style and a huge afro, and she is a gifted violinist who has been invited to attend a new performing arts school. Not everyone is happy about it, though. Not her best friend, appropriately named Rebel, who resents the new school for taking resources -- and Lotus -- away from the neighborhood middle school. Certainly not her classmate/nemesis Adolpho, whom she bumps from his position as concertmaster. Not even her mom, who feels Lotus should be thinking about a future outside of music, unlike her musician father who recently relocated to Paris. Worst of all, Lotus finds herself being discriminated against due to her hair, which threatens all of her hard work and her normally peaceful outlook. This captivating novel raises issues of racial discrimination, educational equity, and classism in an approachable way, inviting readers to consider multiple perspectives through the lively cast of diverse, multifaceted characters. Through the drama at school and in her family, as well as ups and downs in her friendships (with Rebel and new frenemy Mercedes), Lotus finds her voice as she learns to release herself from trying to manage the emotions and expectations of others. Monique HarrisJanuary/February 2023 p.96 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
A seventh grade girl learns to speak up for equity, community, and freedom of expression. Lotus Bloom is not your typical tween: She wears vintage '70s clothes, proudly rocks an Afro, and is a gifted violinist. Music is her escape, and she needs it more than ever between her parents' divorce, her father's relocation to Paris, a mother who doesn't understand her, and a strained relationship with her best friend, Rebel Mitchell. Atlantis School of the Arts, Lotus' new magnet school, allows her to focus on her passion, but Rebel is staying behind in a regular public school. When Lotus is made first-chair violin, she catches the attention of Adolpho Cortez, a ninth grade bully who believes the honor is rightfully his. Having learned to tamp down her feelings, Lotus ignores him despite her friends' urging her to take action. But when a school administrator cites her Afro as a dress-code violation, Lotus is done with keeping quiet. Ignoring her Granny's pessimism and her mother's admonition not to make waves, she speaks up for herself and also joins Rebel's protest against Miami-Dade County's inequitable funding of schools in their historically Black neighborhood. 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. Lotus and Rebel are Black; the rest of the cast is broadly diverse. A relatable novel that will encourage readers to fight for their rights. (Fiction. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Booklist Review
Lotus Bloom has many reasons to be excited about starting her new school; at the top of that list is that she gets to do what she really loves: play the violin. Lotus is ecstatic to learn that she not only gets to play under the tutelage of one of her favorite musicians but has also been named concert master. Her dream school starts to become a bit nightmarish, however, when several boys decide it would be funny to throw paper airplanes into her afro, and instead of reprimanding the boys, the school decides that Lotus should change her hair to a style that is less distracting. Although Lotus isn't the type of girl to start a revolution, she knows that it would be wrong to not fight back against injustice. 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. This book would be a great introduction to protest, activism, and how to use your voice to change the world.
