Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

 

This is a not a history book. At least, it is not a conventional history book. This is an exceptional well crafted study of Americas history with a critical lens on race, racism, and how it all got started. Jason Reynolds adapts Kendi’s acclaimed and decorated Stamped From the Beginning into an energetic, sometimes humorous, sometimes heartfelt, and sometimes stern approach that is hyper-accessible. It tells the story with incredible detail that dates back the better half of a millennium to the present day and all of its problems. It picks up on key figures, key events, key movements, and key eras in a way that doesn’t make your eyes bleed or your brain hurt. Also, the audiobook is read by Jason Reynolds himself, who delivers a fantastic read with real life human emotion. 

About the Book                                                                                                      Awards and Recognition
• Title: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You                                              • #1 New York Times Bestseller
• Authors: Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi                                 • ALA Coretta Scott King Author Honor
• Genre: Nonfiction, YA History                                        • National Book Award Finalist (original version)
• Published: 2020                                  • School Library Journal and Time Magazine Best Book of the Year
• Pages: 320                                                                                                                                                        

Why this book?
This was the book at the center of the lesson planning in my classroom! As I was pre-reading the book before lessons, I was blown away by how the book flowed! I heard high praise of the book before reading, and it definitely rose to those expectations. After reading the preface, where it states “This is not a history book — at least, not the kind you’re used to,” I became exceptionally curious as to how the book would live up to that statement. 

Teaching and Content Considerations
• This book works great for a whole class study. The great chunking of information, brilliant blending between topics, and conversational flow make for a fascinating informational text that’s both accessible and engaging. 
• Recommended grade levels for this book are 8th - 12th. There is nothing that would be abrasive or inappropriate, but a more developed high school student would be able to keep up with the pace better. 
• Content warnings: this book contains racism — frequently.
Instructional Ideas
• Discussions: Who gets to decide which ideas are promoted or suppressed? What is the difference between a non-racist and a anti-racist?
• Reading guides: This book contains A LOT of information that comes quickly. A reading guide will help catch main ideas and give students an idea of what’s coming and what came before. 

Potential Read Aloud Passages
• Pages 1-3: The opening of this book is incredibly solid and sets the tone and precedent right away. Reynolds opens with a clear intention, a sense of purpose, and makes it clear this book will not be like those less-than-exciting textbooks students have read in the past. 
Pages 26-29: This passage follows the settlers and explorers (colonizers) leaving Europe. It has a fair but honest approach to addressing this problematic journey. It speaks on how the founding generation was far from perfect. They sought freedom in the Americas, but almost immediately they began trading in slaves. This was the antithesis of their ethos, and a crime against humanity. 

Overall Thoughts and Reflections
This book is a must for anyone who wants to sharpen their knowledge on American history or find out the source of racism in European societies as well as the lasting effects. Reading the book, or listening to the audiobook, has such a powerful and smooth delivery that feels very conversational. Imagine you’re at a TED talk, but it’s only you and your friend, and he’s crazy smart. This book is like that. 

Next Steps? 
I would like to read more books about history that are delivered in such an approachable way! This style was great, and learning about history gives a special feeling of knowledge that is unique to the domain. I find that becoming more aware and informed of history makes me feel as if I am becoming knowledgeable in such a valuable and worldly manner. So.. more books like this! 

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