Bibliographic Information:
- Title: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (a REMIX of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning)
- Author: Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
- ISBN: 1549130722
- Publisher: Hachette Book Group
- Copyright Date: March 9, 2020
- Audiobook Narrator: Jason Reynolds, Introduction narrated by Ibram X. Kendi
- Duration: 4 Hours
Audiobook Quality: The sound quality of this audiobook is excellent. The voices are clear and there is no static or glitches. The sound effects add to the story and keep the listener interested. Jason Reynolds narrates with passion and excitement which is evident in his tone and expression. Ibram X. Kendi narrates the introduction with passion, as well.
Genre: Nonfiction/History/Social Justice
Format: Audiobook
Awards/Honors: 2021 Odyssey Honor Audiobook, New York Times Best Seller
Reading Level/Interest Level: Teens Grade 10-12, Ages 15-18 (Baker & Taylor Titlesource360)
Plot Summary: As Jason Reynolds states many times during “This is NOT a history book!” But it is a book about the history of racism, tracing its roots back to Europe, before the United States was settled. This book is an adaptation for young adults of Ibram X. Kendi’s book Stamped from the Beginning. The book begins in 1415 and goes to present times. It discusses racism, antiracism, segregationists, assimilationists, and antiracists and their impacts on history. Influential figures such as Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, W.E.B. Du Bois, Angela Davis, Malcolm X, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Barack Obama and their roles in the history of racism are discussed. Events from US history including slavery, the Civil War, Jim Crow, the war on drugs, the civil rights movement, and #BlackLivesMatter are used to illustrate how racism is embedded in American culture. The book aims to educate young readers “to understand the complex history of racism to better understand its current manifestations. Armed with this knowledge, they can learn to identify racist actions, language, and policies, and look toward an equal, antiracist future” (VOYA, 2021).
Author Background: Jason Reynolds is a New York Times Best Selling author and poet who writes novels and poetry for young adults and middle-grade students. Reynolds was born in Washington, D.C. and raised nearby in Maryland. He was inspired by rap and started writing poetry when he was nine years old. Reynolds published his first novel, When I Was The Greatest, in 2014, which won the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. Reynolds wrote seven more novels in the next four years, including the New York Times best-selling Track Series: Ghost (2016), Patina (2017), Sunny (2018), and Lu (2018). In 2017, Reynolds wrote Long Way Down, a book in verse, which was named a Newbery Honor book, a Printz Honor Book, and best young adult work by the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Award (Jason Writes Books, N.D.).
“HERE’S WHAT I PLAN TO DO: NOT WRITE BORING BOOKS” is a quote posted on Jason Reynold’s website, Jasonwritesbooks.com (N.D.). According to Reynolds, there are a lot of young people who hate reading, and many of these are boys. Reynolds feels that these boys do not really hate to read in general, but they hate to read boring books. His goal is to write books that middle-grade students and young adults will find interesting. All of Reynold’s writing features minority characters, which he sees as “a reflection of the modern world” (Wikipedia, 2021). In January 2020, Reynolds was named as the Library of Congress’ Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
Critical Evaluation: Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is a well-written, fast-paced book/audiobook that is sure to capture the reader’s/listener’s attention. The book is written expressly for teens. The language is easy to follow and the chapters, are short. The audiobook has sound effects that help stress important points. The book has a “conversational” tone which is engaging. The subject matter is heavy and can be difficult to handle at times but its importance overshadows that. I found I had to turn off the audiobook at one point and absorb the information and come back to it a little later. The book has a lot of historical detail but Reynolds ties it together with current events. The book will help teens to think critically about racism and antiracism and their role in making change for the future. Stamped will make an impact on anyone who reads or listens to it.
Creative Use for a Library Program: A discussion about the book and race in general would be a good library program for this book. I would tie it in to a Martin Luther King, Jr. Day project since he is discussed in the book. The teens could write their thoughts or create poetry on the theme “I Have a Dream.”
Speed-Round Book Talk: “This is NOT a history book!” But it is a book discussing the history of race and racism in the United states. This book is sure to open your eyes about racist ideas, where they came from, how they are embedded in our society, and what to do about it. Jason Reynolds brings his unique style of writing to this fast paced, engaging, easy-to-read book! Recommended for everyone, as an audiobook or print book.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense: One objection I read about to Stamped is that the book is about “critical race theory” (Common Sense Media, 2021). The reviewer, a 16 year old, commented that ” it’s not right teach kids about something like this theory and not teach them about the theory it’s self.” (I personally do not agree with this comment). Another review stated that it is twisted history” (Amazon, 2020). They claim that the book contains many facts about people and events that are wrong. Another reviewer calls it “propaganda designed to brainwash youth” (Amazon, 2020). The book was challenged in a school in Round Rock, Texas. Even though the book was on the district’s approved reading list, there were complaints filed by some parents. The complaint went from the school level, to the district, to the Board of Trustees. After reviewing the book and the complaints, the Board decided to keep Stamped on the districts’ reading list (Slocum, 2021).
Defense to the challenge and the criticism is that the authors make it clear throughout the book that this is not a history book. It is a conversation starter and discussion to have with teens to help make them aware of systemic racism and what they can do to help make changes for the future.
Reason for Inclusion: This book should be required reading for all young adults in the U.S. today. it is important to understand how racism is entrenched in our society, how to recognize it, and what to do about it. The book is written with a teen audience in mind. Teens will like the short chapters, the conversational tone, the passion that Jason Reynolds brings to this book, and the way he connects history to our everyday lives. This book will leave a lasting impression on anyone who reads or listens to it.
References:
Amazon.com. (2020). Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning. Retrieved from https://www.amazon.com/Stamped-Antiracism-National-Award-winning-Beginning-ebook/dp/B07WR8LTCZ/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8
Booksource. (2019, October 24). Jason Reynolds introduces Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFas9f-6K3I&ab_channel=Booksource
Common Sense Media. (2021, April 28). Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You. Retrieved from https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/stamped-racism-antiracism-and-you
Jason Writes Books. (N.D.) About. Retrieved from https://www.jasonwritesbooks.com/about
Jason Writes Books. (N.D.) Photo of Jason Reynolds. [Photograph]. Retrieved from https://www.jasonwritesbooks.com/about
Slocum R. (2021, March 3). Challenge to Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You: Q&A with Aidan Larson. Intellectual Freedom Blog. Retrieved from https://www.oif.ala.org/oif/?p=25090
VOYA Reviews. (2020, June). Retrieved from https://ts360.baker-taylor.com/_layouts/CommerceServer/ItemDetailsPage.aspx?ngbtkey=0025718546&isfromsearchresults=1
Wikipedia. (2021, April 13). Jason Reynolds. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jason_Reynolds
Debby's YA Mini Library Collection 