First Chapter Fridays: Stamped

First Chapter Fridays continues with entry #3, Stamped by Jason Reynolds.

To see the entire series of First Chapter Fridays, click the link at the bottom of this post.

Stamped (Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi)

Sore throat today? Lost your voice? This one has an EXCELLENT audiobook read by Jason Reynolds, one of the authors. Many students are already familiar with Jason Reynolds as he has several award-winning fiction titles for teens.

So what’s so great about this title? Personally, I love the conversational tone, which starts straightaway with Chapter 1. There is also a Introduction and letter to the reader before Chapter 1 that would make a great read-aloud on its own.

Stamped appeals to teens’ senses of fairness, justice, and equity. Many students have experienced racism themselves, and they likely have friends who have also experienced it. This book is frank and honest when discussing a topic that many people find difficult to talk about. It tells a very different side of history that students (and adults) need to hear.

• Recommended for: Grades 7-12
• Genre: narrative nonfiction
• Keywords: racism, anti-racism, prejudice, world history, US history, slavery
• Protagonist: none–this is a story of many people throughout history
• Length of Chapter 1: 9 pages
• Read my full review of Stamped

 
Read more about First Chapter Fridays (includes criteria for my selections)

Do you do First Chapter Fridays? What titles have been popular with your students? Add your favorites in the comments below (don’t forget to add grade levels)!