I recently read Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds. It is the young adult adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's Stamped From the Beginning. Jason Reynolds is one of my favorite authors, period. I highly recommend his young adult prose and verse novels, particularly Long Way Down and When I Was the Greatest. He has a gift for using humor and sensitivity while writing about tough topics, and he writes stories that matter and appeal to youth. It was interesting to see his take on adapting an adult nonfiction work. His voice was present, and the text seems accessible to middle grades and up.
This "not a history book" focuses primarily on history, not present day, like the things your history teacher didn't tell you. It discusses racist actions and policies and give examples of segregationists, assimilationists, and antiracists throughout history. It shows how these aren't fixed but can change frequently, and how people of all races can express antiracist ideas one moment and racist ideas another.
This adaptation is definitely short in comparison to the original. I just got my copy of the original from the library, and I'm curious how much detail is provided and how the formatting varies from the original to the YA adaptation. It makes me wonder if the YA version simplifies it too much or just enough. Some critics say YA adaptations of nonfiction are simplified and sanitized. While this Stamped remix provides less detail about certain racist policies than other antiracist books I've read, (How to Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi and The New Jim Crow by Michelle Alexander) it was easier to read and engaging. I got through it in about a day. It makes me think it may be appropriate for youth and for anyone who wants an introduction to these concepts but doesn't have a lot of time or emotional capacity to give to the more difficult adult titles.
I'm curious if anyone has thoughts about adaptations, antiracist books, or Jason Reynolds. I'm always happy to talk about Jason Reynolds.
