‘COLIN KAEPERNICK: CHANGE THE GAME,’

About Colin’s High School Years, to Release March 7, 2023

Co-written by Award-Winning Author Eve L. Ewing; Illustrated by Orlando Caicedo

NEW YORK, NY — May 18, 2022 — Colin Kaepernick, renowned activist, athlete, and New York Times bestselling author, and Scholastic, the global children’s publishing, education, and media company, today announced plans to publish Colin Kaepernick’s YA graphic novel memoir in the US and Canada on March 7, 2023. In an exclusive offer from Kaepernick Publishing, the agreement includes World rights and all languages for both print and eBook formats. Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game, a graphic novel memoir detailing his high school years before he entered the spotlight of professional sports—for both teen and adult readers—is co-written by Colin Kaepernick and award-winning author Eve L. Ewing, and illustrated by Orlando Caicedo. 

“Following the incredible success of I Color Myself Different, we are thrilled to work with Colin again on the publication of this second book based on his life experience,” said Debra Dorfman, VP and Publisher, Scholastic Global Licensing, Brands & Media. “Everyone faces a crossroad in their life—Colin’s teenage years were defining and his inspirational story reminds readers of all ages not to conform to others’ expectations. These pivotal moments are expertly portrayed in the graphic novel format, and with Graphix as the category market leader, this story will draw in a wide readership.”

“I’m excited to continue to grow and expand Kaepernick Publishing’s relationship with Scholastic,” said Colin Kaepernick. “Change the Game is the true story of my high school years–a period punctuated by the trials and triumphs of adolescence. It was during this time that I began to grow unapologetically into my own identity, into my own sense of self. I hope this graphic novel encourages readers to nurture their own evolution and to trust their power—in a phrase—to change the game.”

ABOUT COLIN KAEPERNICK: CHANGE THE GAME

Written by Colin Kaepernick and Eve L. Ewing, Illustrated by Orlando Caicedo

Scholastic Graphix | Publication Date: March 7, 2023

Ages 12 & Up | $14.99 USD, $19.99 CAD | Paperback | ISBN 978-1-338-78965-2

Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game is an inspiring high school graphic novel memoir for readers 12 and up from celebrated athlete and activist Colin Kaepernick. A high school senior at a crossroads in life and heavily scouted by colleges and Major League Baseball (MLB), Colin has a bright future ahead of him as a highly touted prospect. Everyone, from his parents to his teachers and coaches, is in agreement on his future. Everyone but him.

Colin isn’t excited about baseball. In the words of five-time all-star MLB player Adam Jones, “Baseball is a white man’s sport.” He looks up to athletes like Allen Iverson: talented, hyper-competitive, unapologetically Black, and dominating their sports while staying true to themselves. College football looks a lot more fun than sleeping on hotel room floors in the minor leagues of baseball. But Colin doesn't have a single offer to play football. Yet. This touching YA graphic novel memoir explores the story of how a young change-maker learned to find himself, make his own way, and never compromise.

About Colin Kaepernick

Colin Kaepernick is a New York Times bestselling author and Super Bowl quarterback who fights oppression globally. He founded the Know Your Rights Camp in 2016 to advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown people through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization, and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders. In 2019, he established Kaepernick Publishing to elevate a new generation of writers and creators through the development and publication of meaningful works of all genres with the focus of amplifying diverse views and voices. I Color Myself Different (April 2022), Kaepernick’s biographical picture book illustrated by Eric Wilkerson, was an instant New York Times and USA Today Bestseller.

About Eve L. Ewing

Eve L. Ewing is a writer and scholar from Chicago. She is the award-winning author of the poetry collections Electric Arches and 1919, the nonfiction work Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago's South Side, and a novel for young readers, Maya and the Robot. She is the co-author (with Nate Marshall) of the play No Blue Memories: The Life of Gwendolyn Brooks. She has written several projects for Marvel Comics, most notably the Ironheart series. She also co-wrote the short story “Timebox” with Janelle Monáe for the collection The Memory Librarian. Her work has also been published in The New Yorker, The Atlantic, The New York Times, and many other venues. She is a professor at the University of Chicago.

About Orlando Caicedo

Colombian artist Orlando Caicedo grew up eating arepas and drawing. After completing his BFA with a concentration in Illustration at the Atlanta College of Art, he decided to do that full-time. He’s the winner of Stan Lee’s POW Entertainment/Webtoon comic contest as well as the Mad Cave Studios talent search. His published work includes Webtoon’s The Badguys and Pound, and Mad Cave Studios’ Dryfoot. He worked in animation before shifting to comics on hit shows such as the Emmy Award winning Archer for FX and Frisky Dingo for Adult Swim. When not drawing comics, he can be found napping with his loving wife and new baby daughter. You can visit him online at www.ocaicedo.com.

About Kaepernick Publishing:

Founded by Colin Kaepernick in 2019, Kaepernick Publishing strives to elevate a new generation of writers with diverse views and voices through the creation of powerful works of all genres that can build a better and more just world. kaepernickpublishing.com

About Scholastic

For more than 100 years, Scholastic Corporation (NASDAQ: SCHL) has been encouraging the personal and intellectual growth of all children, beginning with literacy. Having earned a reputation as a trusted partner to educators and families, Scholastic is the world's largest publisher and distributor of children's books, a leading provider of literacy curriculum, professional services, and classroom magazines, and a producer of educational and entertaining children's media. The Company creates and distributes bestselling books and e-books, print and technology-based learning programs for pre-K to grade 12, and other products and services that support children's learning and literacy, both in school and at home. With 15 international operations and exports to 165 countries, Scholastic makes quality, affordable books available to all children around the world through school-based book clubs and book fairs, classroom libraries, school and public libraries, retail, and online. Learn more at www.scholastic.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Kaepernick Publishing Contact: Press@KaepernickPublishing.com

Scholastic Contact: Tracy van Straaten | TvS Media Group | tracy.vanstraaten@tvsmediagroup.com