The Mask

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Pub Date 28 Oct 2021 | Archive Date 31 Mar 2023
Darcie Rowan PR | CJ Sparrow Publication

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Description

Award Winning Illustrated Middle Grade Book The Mask Helps Start the Conversation About Bullying and Body Image 

Written by Clayton Marshall Adams

Illustrations by Rohan Daniel Eason


Book Awards:

Eric Hoffer Award Middle Reader Award 2022 Winner

Eric Hoffer Award Free Horizon 2022 Winner

Feathered Quill Book Awards Reader’s Choice Winner 2022

Kirkus Reviews Best Indie Children’s Book of 2021

Publisher’s Weekly Booklife Prize 2021

Foreword Indies Book of the Year Finalist 2022

Eric Hoffer Award Short List 2022


The Mask, written by Clayton Marshall Adams and illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason, tells the story of a disfigured man who is bullied by the local villagers until the forest offers him beauty in exchange for a future unknown service, whenever it is demanded by The Mask. The Mask is an allegorical tale that touches upon our human frailties, inspires us to find our inner truth, and dares us to be more courageous than we can imagine.


Beautifully illustrated and designed, the award-winning book The Mask compels a reader to ponder important social issues such as bullying and body image. It’s a powerful, story that challenges the reader to think about the beauty and resiliency of the human spirit; about courage and love; about the innate human desire to belong and be accepted.


 "A fitting tribute to the teenager who could see so clearly and feel so deeply, The Mask is an allegory that teachers and parents will welcome as a starting point for discussions about many of the most valuable and elusive of human traits—love, courage, integrity, and kindness. Beautifully illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason." — BookLife Prize from Publishers Weekly


Spike Adams published his late son Clayton’s book, The Mask. Sadly, Clayton Marshall Adams took his life after years of suffering from depression.  While searching his computer after his death, his parents discovered a manuscript for The Mask, Clayton's fable about self-esteem and bullying, and decided to publish it as a way to establish a legacy for their son. 

In addition, on the publisher's website, his family created 20 questions that teachers and parents can use for discussion. 


Recommended Reading Ages: 8-16 years old


ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Clayton Marshall Adams was a young man who suffered from clinical depression and subsequently took his life. While looking through his computer for photos and writings his mother found this story. His father, Spike, decided to publish it to give his son the best legacy he could. Clayton's story, The Mask was published by CJ Sparrow on October 28, 2021.


 For more information, visit: https://www.cjsparrowpublication.com/



Award Winning Illustrated Middle Grade Book The Mask Helps Start the Conversation About Bullying and Body Image 

Written by Clayton Marshall Adams

Illustrations by Rohan Daniel Eason


Book Awards:

Eric...


Advance Praise

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/87830-behind-the-mask.html

★★★★★ "I'm glad I read this book towards the end of 2021 so that I could compare it to the rest of the books I have read this year and appropriately say that this is one of the most striking and thought-provoking children's books I have read this year. The Mask is a unique and thoughtful picture book with gorgeous illustrations that will leave you pondering long after you've closed the book." - Literary Titan

"Wow softly escaped my lips as I finished the final page of this story...[The Mask] is a great awakening to bullying, pressures, and the price they extract without mercy." -- Darleen Wohlfeil, Story Monsters Ink Magazine

"The writing and illustrations are truly remarkable...I think every middle school child and older should read this and be part of the discussion. The story is universally relatable." - Lynn A Paulus, Psy.D, Licensed Clinical Psychologist

"A fitting tribute to the teenager who could see so clearly and feel so deeply, The Mask is an allegory that teachers and parents will welcome as a starting point for discussions about many of the most valuable and elusive of human traits—love, courage, integrity, and kindness. Beautifully illustrated by Rohan Daniel Eason." — BookLife Prize from Publishers Weekly

https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/authors/pw-select/article/87830-behind-the-mask.html

★★★★★ "I'm glad I read this book towards the end of 2021 so that I could compare it to the rest of the...


Marketing Plan

Without almost no publicity, The Mask won awards for being an outstanding book for middle grade readers.

Recently the author did Radio and Podcasts interviews and the book landed on the Amazon bestseller list along with receiving tons of emails from teachers and librarians wanting to use the book in schools.

Please don't discount reviewing this book because it's not new. It deserves to be read! 


Marketing Plan:

Goodreads Giveaways

Blog Review Hop

Bookstagram review campaign

Denver area events, book readings

Without almost no publicity, The Mask won awards for being an outstanding book for middle grade readers.

Recently the author did Radio and Podcasts interviews and the book landed on the Amazon...


Available Editions

EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9780578569932
PRICE $18.95 (USD)
PAGES 48

Available on NetGalley

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Average rating from 12 members


Featured Reviews

This book is a fantastic guide for starting the conversation regarding the body and bullying. Middle schoolers are already going through a tumultuous time and they need all the resources they can get. Not only are student mean to themselves, but others are mean to them. This book will be a wonderful tool for recognizing ill-treatment and the steps one can take to stop and prevent it.
What I particularly like about the book is the inconspicuous cover. Onlookers will be unaware that the reader is learning about a tough topic. The cover is a beautiful design that lends the reader some privacy to learn.

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This story was heartbreaking, as was the story about the author whose personal life influenced the content of his book. Mil is a severely deformed young man, treated like a monster by those in his village. He comes across a mask that promises to grant him a better life and in exchange must do as the mask asks of him when called upon. This story dove deep into how cruel humanity can be towards those who are different and how it affects those who take the brunt of that cruelty. It broke my heart to read about the author, Clayton Marshall Adams and his short life. Trigger warnings include bullying, abuse, abandonment, and suicide. Parents who are interested this book for their children, make sure that you read the book first so that you are prepared to discuss the topics with your child/teen as the content is serious and not to be taken lightly.

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I teared up. This story is so short, but so deep and speaks volumes about humans and the endurance ones who get bullied have. This is very eye opening with several thought provoking moments, it just reminds you to be a more kind human and spread kindness. It's such a beautiful yet sad story, that truly makes you feel for the characters as well as the author. I want to personally thank the family for publishing this beautiful piece of work for Clayton in his remembrance as you can see his talent shine in this piece. Clayton may have left this world too soon, but this story will have an everlasting affect on me and others who read this story. Breathtaking, heartbreaking and beautiful all in one quick read.

I received this book from NetGalley and the publishers to read and review. All statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this short story/book.

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This was a beautiful and tragic story and I can't believe it was written by a 16 year old. Knowing Clayton's story before going in made this story even more heartbreaking. The analogies were really well done and really made me ponder. Clayton's parents are so brave to share this part of their son with the world! Thanks Darcie Rowan PR for sending me a copy.

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Mil is a deformed young man who is treated like a monster. When he stumbles upon a mask that promises to grant him a better life in exchange for doing what it asks when the time comes, Mill takes the chance.

This story is one that I feel like had a number of good morals within it and probably more that I missed. For such a short book, it is deep. The Mask is one that will leave the reader thinking. It will leave them contemplating how to spread kindness and where their morals are even after things have changed for them.

The art style was something I really enjoyed. The style and coloring of it really gave it the feel of an older story which really pulled me in. It was beautiful and really connected well with the written words.

My one complaint would be the cliffhanger at the end. At the same time, that cliffhanger had me reflect even more on the contents, so it could do that with others.

The Mask is a short read that is well worth the time. While I do feel like this could be read with children, I would recommend a little older as I think a number of good discussions could happen with it.

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Y’all here is a short story the world needs to read and take note about a man that was born looking different than the rest. He’s shunned and ridiculed by the villagers for being different. One day he’s offered a chance to change his life and his looks in exchange for an unknown price. Is that price worth it? This story is so powerful bringing to light all the issues of bullying and body image that I feel like everyone can relate to, maybe not in a extreme way as some, but everyone has issues and has seen people treat others differently.

If you pick this up to read it, make sure to read the note by the parents of the author at the end. The author himself had his own issues with bullying and sadly committed suicide. His parents found this short story on his computer and shared it with the world. It is so heartbreaking that there will not be another story by this talented author, but even more heartbreaking is how this could have been prevented if we just learn to not judge people by their outsides, and teach our kids to be kind.

“When you are kind to others, it not only changes you, it changes the world.” – Rabbi Harold Kushner (quoted form the parent’s epilogue).

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This was short but it was so powerful, so good!! The story was put together so well along with the illustrations. Beautiful!!!

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This story was moving, deep and a little bit dark. And it ends with the beautiful and tragic story of the author. I read this with my nearly 13yo and it sparked a great conversation about bullying, mental health and more. I would certainly recommend this story for parents to read with their child.

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I love the front cover of this book. It’s one of the reasons I requested to read it. I also love the story behind the writing of the books. I thought it was a pretty deep book for such a young man to write it. To have such deep emotions and thoughts at 16. Wow. It’s not a story I would read to my 6 year old, but I could see reading it with an older group and then sharing the story behind the book.

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This short story has a fairy-tale-like tone, a gorgeous cover, and appropriately haunting interior art. But it's the ending that is perfection.

Given the book is targeted toward middle grade readers, I do wish discussion questions were included. Not only because of the important message, but also because there is quite a bit of nuance here that deserves to be unpacked.

The author leaves behind a beautiful legacy that will inspire critical thinking about how we care for one another--and ourselves.

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Short but powerful! It’s a story of a boy who was born disfigured. He is bullied and shunned.
When he finds a magical mask in the dirt - he has to ask himself what is the price of beauty?
He strikes up a deal with the devilish mask - he can wear it but when the mask comes to call for payment he must do as he is told. Years go by before the mask asks for something - and it is a very high price.
Makes you think - what price would you pay for beauty, and acceptance?

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