This Book Is Anti-Racist

Starred review from December 2, 2019
Using clear, compelling language, Jewell employs four sections to deftly explain progressive understandings of identity, history, action, and solidarity as tools to encourage antiracist reflection, thought, and action. From the author’s note introducing the idea that “racism is a problem, a very serious problem,” to the volume’s explorations of “spending that privilege” and “calling out and calling in,” Jewell offers readers at various points in their activist journeys a necessary primer on antiracist thinking (a glossary helpfully defines underlined terms used throughout, including cisgender, neurodiverse, and femme). Thoughtful, energizing calls to action and journal prompts encourage readers to check in with themselves and to “grow from our discomfort.” Durand’s stylish illustrations punctuate the text-heavy pages; robust supplemental materials, including notes on the text and suggested reading, point toward ongoing learning. Ages 11–15.

Starred review from January 1, 2020

Gr 5 Up-Writer and educator Jewell successfully combines personal experience and social and historical issues in this colorful and informative guidebook. Each chapter contains exercises to help readers conceive of their own identities, recognize how society allocates power to certain people, and learn how individuals can stand up to injustice while keeping themselves safe from harm. Durand's vivid, dynamic illustrations are as crucial to the book as the text itself. Though the formatting, which involves pull quotes, font changes, shifting columns, and other graphic elements, may be confusing to some young readers, the information is written clearly and thoughtfully. Concepts like institutional racism and internalized inferiority are relayed in concise language without talking down to the audience. Several terms are underlined and defined in the glossary. Footnotes and a bibliography also appear in the back matter. A further reading list includes a mix of adult, teen, and children's materials. The work will particularly resonate with fans of Anastasia Higginbotham's Not My Idea: A Book About Whiteness. VERDICT A visually exciting and well-crafted antiracist guide for all children. A work that fills a much-needed gap between the feel-good but vague messages of empathy and acceptance in some picture books, and the advanced terminology and theory in young adult nonfiction on racial justice. Recommended for any juvenile nonfiction collection.-Madison Bishop, Plymouth Public Library, Plymouth, MA

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 1, 2019
A guidebook for taking action against racism. The clear title and bold, colorful illustrations will immediately draw attention to this book, designed to guide each reader on a personal journey to work to dismantle racism. In the author's note, Jewell begins with explanations about word choice, including the use of the terms "folx," because it is gender neutral, and "global majority," noting that marginalized communities of color are actually the majority in the world. She also chooses to capitalize Black, Brown, and Indigenous as a way of centering these communities' voices; "white" is not capitalized. Organized in four sections--identity, history, taking action, and working in solidarity--each chapter builds on the lessons of the previous section. Underlined words are defined in the glossary, but Jewell unpacks concepts around race in an accessible way, bringing attention to common misunderstandings. Activities are included at the end of each chapter; they are effective, prompting both self-reflection and action steps from readers. The activities are designed to not be written inside the actual book; instead Jewell invites readers to find a special notebook and favorite pen and use that throughout. Combining the disruption of common fallacies, spotlights on change makers, the author's personal reflections, and a call to action, this powerful book has something for all young people no matter what stage they are at in terms of awareness or activism. Essential. (author's note, further reading, glossary, select bibliography) (Nonfiction. 10-18)

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January 1, 2020
Grades 7-12 How does one relate the complexities of racism to young people? In her debut nonfiction title, Jewell gives tweens and teens the background information and language to understand how racism was created, how it continues to work, and why it's important to fight against it. The author begins with a thorough overview of identity, intersectionality, privilege, ethnicity, and other concepts necessary to recognize the dominant culture and those who have been marginalized. Accompanied by vibrant digital artwork featuring real and imagined people of color, the short, dense chapters continue with descriptions of key individuals and events in racist history from around the world and culminate with myriad strategies to take action against racism, both individually and in solidarity with others. Throughout the primer, Jewell interjects insight from her own life as a biracial cisgender woman and offers related, thought-provoking activities. Although geared for YA readers, adult collaboration may be necessary to help unpack the volume of information and some of its difficult issues, as well as provide context for select activities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)