num_pages: 192
description: An uplifting story told through the alternating voices of two middle-schoolers in which a community rallies to reject racism.Karina Chopra would have never imagined becoming friends with the boy next doorafter all theyve avoided each other for years and she assumes Chris is just like the boys he hangs out with who she labels a pack of hyenas. Then Karinas grandfather starts tutoring Chris and she discovers hes actually a nice funny kid. But one afternoon something unimaginable happensthe three of them are assaulted by a stranger who targets Indian-American Karina and her grandfather because of how they look. Her grandfather is gravely injured and Karina and Chris vow not to let hate win. When Karina posts a few photos related to the attack on social media they quickly attract attention and before long her #CountMeIn postWhat does an American look like? #immigrants #WeBelong #IamAmerican #HateHasNoHomeHeregoes viral and a diverse population begin to add their own photos. Then when Papa is finally on the road to recovery Karina uses her newfound social media reach to help celebrate both his homecoming and a community coming together.
language: English
title: Count Me In
publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books