About the Book & Author
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You is written by Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, and was published in 2020 by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers. Ibram X. Kendi is a renowned historian and scholar on race and antiracism, while Jason Reynolds is an award-winning author known for his engaging voice in young adult literature. This Young Adult nonfiction / social justice book adapts Kendi’s adult bestseller Stamped from the Beginning into a version that speaks directly to younger readers, combining history, analysis, and storytelling to explain the roots and effects of racism in America.
Story & Controversy
The book takes readers on a journey through history, exploring the development of racist ideas and how they have shaped American society. It introduces concepts like racist, antiracist, and assimilationist thinking, and uses stories, timelines, and powerful commentary to help young readers understand and challenge systemic racism. Stamped has been banned or challenged in some schools because it deals with race, racism, and American history in a direct and critical way, and some critics believe it’s too controversial for younger audiences. Despite this, the book has been praised for empowering young people to think critically, speak up, and work toward a more just society.