Twelve-year-old Lotus Bloom is a free spirit with a mega-'fro she's affectionately named "the wooly mammoth." A talented violinist, she just switched from her inner-city school to a fancy arts academy. Her best friend Rebel is quick to point out the funding disparities between schools, and urges 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.

 

But then a classroom prank - boys thinking it's hilarious to throw wads of paper into Lotus's hair - escalates after she reports it to the administration and shockingly finds herself facing suspension. Lotus must choose whether to stay quiet and risk everything she's worked so hard for, or fight back. Is this school really where she belongs?

 

Inspired by stories of real Black girls advocating against unjust, racist school dress codes across the country, beloved middle grade author Sherri Winston introduces another memorable character who decides to speak up for what's right, no matter what it takes.