21FA-LS-5653 - African-American Literature: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi

"Segregationists are haters. Like, real haters. People who hate you for not being like them. Assimilationists are people who like you, but only with quotation marks. Like… "like" you. Meaning, they "like" you because you're like them. And then there are antiracists. They love you because you're like you."

Bibliography:
Reynolds, Jason, and Ibram X. Kendi. 2020. Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN: 9780316453691

Plot Summary:
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is not a history book. Well, not your standard history book, anyway. It's a remix of the award-winning novel, Stamped from the Beginning, chronicling the timeline of racist ideologies throughout the United States history, inspiring an antiracist resolution. Follow the narrative of the history of segregationists, assimilationists, and antiracists from the early 14th century to President Obama's election. Learn the importance of social movements from this nonfiction novel, and explore how to be a part of the solution for ending racism.  

Critical Analysis:
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi is a must-read for all children, parents, caregivers, educators, and everyone. Reynolds does an exemplary job of remixing Ibram X. Kendi's original work, Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America. He creates an easy reading experience written in relevant language that is comprehensible and clear for people of all ages, especially children 12 and up. I honestly wish that all history books were broken down the way that Jason Reynolds writes this engaging, not a history book, book. Several dates and nonfictional characters throughout the novel would usually be hard to remember for the average reader. However, Reynolds' writing style is straightforward and sincere, making all dates and characters easy to identify and learn.  By the end of the book, all readers will understand the meanings of assimilationists, segregationists, and antiracists. More so, readers will be better equipped to learn how to become antiracists and fight against racism. 

Not only does Jason Reynolds create a simple timeline of America's history with racism from the early 1400s to 2014, but he also paints a detailed account of each time period, including settings, people, theories, civil rights cases, historical documents, and more. Furthermore, the novel is culturally and historically accurate and consistent within each timeline. Readers will learn about historical figures, such as Phillis Wheatley, Malcolm X., W.E.B. Du Bois, Booker T. Washington, Marcus Garvey, various U.S. Presidents, Emmett Till, and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., to name a few. Readers will also learn about the history of African American culture within the United States and the racist ideas and doctrines that BIPOC people have struggled against for centuries. Additionally, Jason Reynolds precisely depicts the conflict of gender normative roles within United States history by including the timeline of women's rights, which BIPOC women had to fight the hardest to be seen and heard. 

Overall, every person of every race who picks up this book will learn something from reading this historical timeline, whether you are revisiting an era of history or learning about it for the very first time. Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi create thought-provoking literature rich in cultural details, historical facts, and accuracy. The novel is engaging, interesting, and generates universal reflection.  Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is authentic quality written work that should be taught in every classroom and educational setting. There are also source notes, an index, and recommended readings at the end of the book for readers to find credible sources and continuing education. Let's do our part to stamp out racism, starting by lending this book to everyone we know. 

Awards & Reviews:

  • 2020 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Teen Book
  • 2020 Goodreads Choice Award for Nonfiction
  • 2020 Kirkus Prize finalist
  • 2020 New York Public Library Best Teen Book
  • Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
  • SLJ Best Book of the Year
From ALA Booklist, "Required reading for everyone, especially those invested in the future of young people in America."

From Kirkus Reviews, "Readers who want to truly understand how deeply embedded racism is in the very fabric of the U.S., its history, and its systems will come away educated and enlightened. Worthy of inclusion in every home and in curricula and libraries everywhere. Impressive and much needed."

From School Library Journal, "Reynolds and Kendi eloquently challenge the common narrative attached to U.S. history. This adaptation, like the 2016 adult title, will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact. Highly recommended for libraries serving middle and high school students."

From The New York Times Book Review, "Reynolds's engaging, clear prose shines a light on difficult and confusing subjects...This is no easy feat."

Connections:
Discussion: After reading Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You ask patrons to discuss their experiences with racism. Follow up by encouraging them to share about how they felt during that time and open the discussion for antiracism practices and ideas they can start exercising. 

Activity: Share the following informative videos to patrons interested in learning more about how to be an antiracist:

Support patrons by helping them discover antiracist materials and videos and encourage them to share what they have found with their peers, friends, and family.  

Recommend these Jason Reynolds titles for patrons who enjoyed reading Stamped: 
  • Reynolds, Jason and Brendan Kiely. 2015. All American Boys. ISBN: 9781481463331
  • Reynolds, Jason. 2018. For Every One. ISBN: 9781481486248
  • Reynolds, Jason. 2017. Long Way Down. ISBN: 9781481438254
  • Reynolds, Jason., and Jason Griffin. 2009. My Name Is Jason. Mine Too.: Our Story. Our Way. ISBN: 9780061547881
  • Reynolds, Jason. 2014. When I Was the Greatest. ISBN: 9781442459472
For patrons wanting to read more children and YA nonfiction Antiracism books, suggest the following novels: 
  • Hasak-Lowry, Todd. 2020. We Are Power: How Nonviolent Activism Changes the World. ISBN: 9781419741111
  • Jewell, Tiffany. 2020. This Book Is Anti-Racist: 20 Lessons on How to Wake Up, Take Action, and Do the Work. Illustrated by Aurelia Durand. ISBN: 9780711245211
  • Peters, Marilee. 2016. Making it Right: Building Peace, Settling Conflict. ISBN: 9781554518104
For patrons interested in adult-related Antiracist content: