STAMPED (for Kids):
Racism, Antiracism, and You
A Review by Amanda Kendall
Bibliography:
Cherry-Paul, Sonja. 2021. Stamped (for kids): racism, antiracism, and you . Ill. by Rachelle Baker. New York: Little, Brown and Company. ISBN
0316167584
Plot Summary:
Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You tells the 400+ year story of racism in American one chapter at a time. The book goes all the way back to 1415 when Europeans were conquering lands around the world and enslaving people from those areas. It finishes with a chapter on the Black Lives Matter movement from 2016-2020. Each chapter includes a history of racism during a given time period and mini-biographies of people who have fought against racism along the way. There are also built in stopping points with guiding questions for young readers to reflect on the historical facts presented and connect them to current events and issues in America.
Critical Analysis:
Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You is a remix of a remix that's written specifically for younger audiences. Cherry-Paul has expertly streamlined and simplified Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds. The chapters read quickly and although filled with historical facts and truth, they feel more like a casual conversation with a friend. Cherry-Paul's writing style, tone, and voice make an often difficult subject to broach with kids very accessible. Baker's simple illustrations of the many antiracists throughout history are a powerful addition to the text. Each illustration highlights the powerful voices who made an impact and fought against racism over the years and often showcase some lesser known antiracists like Malcom X, Mahalia Jackson, and Angela Davis to name a few.
The short, chronological chapters focus on specific concepts throughout the book. In chapter 4, "Flawed Founding Fathers" Cherry-Paul writes, "Learning about the history of racism means discovering that some people, even some who you may have considered heroes, were deeply flawed individuals who had racist thoughts and did racist things" (Cherry-Paul, 2021). She goes on to explain how Thomas Jefferson wrote that all men were created equal, but he owned more than 600 enslaved people (Cherry Paul, 2021). Because of this contradiction of ideas verses actions, she helps the reader understand that racist ideas were woven into America's beginnings. In chapter 11, "Racism On-Screen," readers learn how racist ideas have been a part of beloved stories for years. Through specific examples of Tarzan and the Apes and Planet of the Apes, Cherry-Paul equips readers to think critically and notice racists imagery and themes that are present in today's media. As readers continue through the text, they gain a better understanding and appreciation for the struggles and accomplishments the African-American community has experienced over the years.
The historical perspective of Stamped (for Kids) is a powerful viewpoint for children to read. The
book eloquently connects the dots for readers using historical facts to see how racism started
like a small seed and grew until it was deeply rooted into the very
fabric of America. By including history that is often left out of the history books, readers are exposed to a more complete picture of the history of the United States that authentically captures the African-American experience. For example, Cherry-Paul
provides the history behind the cultural holiday of Juneteenth and explains how it is
celebrated today. She explains why Malcom X didn't give a speech at The March on Washington even though he was just as much a part of the Civil Rights movement as Martin Luther King. And she celebrates the many African-American artists, musicians, and poets who exploded during the Harlem Renaissance.She also introduces many incredible African-American leaders over the last 200 years that may be unfamiliar to most young readers including Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Marcus Garvey.
Ultimately, Stamped (for Kids) is a kid-friendly overview of the African-American experience throughout history. It lays a foundation for understanding the roots of African-American culture and encourages readers to make connections between the past and the present to create a better future. With a fundamental understanding of the past, readers can accept the call to action to become antiracist.
Review Excerpts & Awards:
BOOKLIST (June 1, 2021) "Kendi and Reynolds continue to share their vital antiracist message with this young reader’s edition of their celebrated collaboration, Stamped (2020). With the help of Cherry-Paul, the conversational tone is skillfully carried over from last year’s installment, with the distinction of shorter chapters and well-placed asides to provide additional context."
BOOKLIST (June 1, 2021) "Kendi and Reynolds continue to share their vital antiracist message with this young reader’s edition of their celebrated collaboration, Stamped (2020). With the help of Cherry-Paul, the conversational tone is skillfully carried over from last year’s installment, with the distinction of shorter chapters and well-placed asides to provide additional context."
KIRKUS REVIEWS (May 1, 2021) "A remixed remix of a foundational text. Kendi’s Stamped From the
Beginning (2016) is a crucial accounting of American history, rewritten
and condensed for teens by Jason Reynolds as Stamped (2020). Educator
Cherry-Paul takes the breadth of the first and the jaunty appeal of the
second to spin a middle-grade version that manages to be both true to
its forebears and yet all her own."
Connections:
Books for Further Reading:
- Weatherford, Carole Boston. Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre. 1541581202
- Nelson, Kadir. Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans.
0061730793 - Morrison, Toni. Remember: The Journey to School Integration
9780618397402 - Freedman, Russell. Freedom Walkers: The Story of the Montgomery Bus Boycott
0823421953 - Pinkney, Andrea Davis. Sit In: How Four Friends Stood Up by Sitting Down 9780316070164
