First Chapter Fridays continues with Stamped by Jason Reynolds!
Author: Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Copyright: 2020
Recommended for: Grades 7+
Genre: narrative nonfiction, world history
Themes: racism, prejudice, civil rights, US history, race relations, justice, social issues
Starred reviews: Booklist, Publishers Weekly, SLJ, Kirkus, School Library Connection
Pages: 294
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.
Chapter One of Stamped is 9 pages long.
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.