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YA
An introduction by Jason Reynolds, coauthor with Kiely of All American Boys (rev. 11/15), begins this honest and informative reflection on what it means to be white--and a call for white readers to take anti-racist action. After stating that conversations about race and racism often occur between caregivers and children of the Global Majority (the term Kiely uses throughout), the author opens the door to a conversation on whiteness for an assumed white readership. Using the first-person perspective, and with a casual tone but a deliberate use of language, the author relates personal stories, while acknowledging the contradictions of his authorship and of de-centering whiteness. Voices of youth and of those not always recognized by mainstream society are celebrated. Section breaks pace readers and invite them to pause and reflect; questions offer further opportunities for reader engagement. Kiely carefully scaffolds content, embraces discomfort, rejects either/or binaries, and owns his mistake-making: "I know I'm not going to get everything right. But I think I have to try." Charts and timelines showcase facts about history and racist systems and institutions; extensive back matter is included. Throughout this heartfelt model of white racial identity development, the emphasis remains on self-interrogation, group responsibility, and anti-racist accountability.
Reviewer: Elisa Gall
| Horn Book Magazine Issue:
January, 2022