How to Be a (Young) Antiracist

by Ibram X. Kendi, Nic Stone

The #1 New York Times bestseller that sparked international dialogue is now a book for young adults! Based on the adult bestseller by Ibram X. Kendi, and co-authored by bestselling author Nic Stone, How to be a (Young) Antiracist will serve as a guide for teens seeking a way forward in acknowledging, identifying, and dismantling racism and injustice.

The New York Times bestseller How to be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi is shaping the way a generation thinks about race and racism. How to be a (Young) Antiracist is a dynamic reframing of the concepts shared in the adult book, with young adulthood front and center. Aimed at readers 12 and up, and co-authored by award-winning children’s book author Nic Stone, How to be a (Young) Antiracist empowers teen readers to help create a more just society. Antiracism is a journey–and now young adults will have a map to carve their own path. Kendi and Stone have revised this work to provide anecdotes and data that speaks directly to the experiences and concerns of younger readers, encouraging them to think critically and build a more equitable world in doing so.

Genres: Nonfiction, Social Justice, Race, Activism, Politics, Childrens, Audiobook

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 31, 2023

About the author

Dr. Ibram X. Kendi is the Andrew W. Mellon Professor in the Humanities at Boston University, and the founding director of the BU Center for Antiracist Research. He is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a CBS News racial justice contributor. He is the host of the new action podcast, Be Antiracist.

Dr. Kendi is the author of many highly acclaimed books including Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America, which won the National Book Award for Nonfiction, making him the youngest ever winner of that award. He had also produced five straight #1 New York Times bestsellers, including How to Be an Antiracist, Antiracist Baby, and Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, co-authored by Jason Reynolds. In 2020, Time magazine named Dr. Kendi one of the 100 most influential people in the world. He was awarded a 2021 MacArthur Fellowship, popularly known as the Genius Grant.

Reviews

[Dr. Andy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Penguin Teen & Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I finished another YA adaption earlier this month and I’ve got to say I really enjoy seeing non-fiction being adapted for younger people. I still plan to read the original versions of these books, but I find with my brain it’s better for me to start smaller and work my way up. I’ve also been slowly incorporating more non-fiction into my TBR and shelves. I used to think non-fiction was boring, but that’s because I was reading ones I had to and not ones that I found interesting or informative. I’ve read 6 of the ones in this stack and am really excited to read the three in the future.

How to be a (Young) Antiracist is a great starting point to learn about the ways racism and racist ideas persist in a society. We follow a young Ibram as he learns and goes on his own antiracist journey. I found the way structural and systemic racism was broken down into smaller ideas very understandable. I liked that we get a lot of definitions in the first section that helps build up the last two parts. I enjoyed Nic’s Notes, they made the book feel even more approachable and relatable. Definitely recommend as a nice starting place or to begin teaching young children about racism in the US.

CWs: Racism, colorism, racial slurs, cancer, hate crime, xenophobia, police brutality, murder, homophobia/homomisia, bullying, sexism, transphobia/transmisia, misogyny, violence, colonisation, ableism, death, gun violence, antisemitism.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This iteration of Dr. Kendi's How to Be an Antiracist was put into the hands of YA author Nic Stone to adapt for a younger audience in the same way Stamped from the Beginning: The Definitive History of Racist Ideas in America became Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You with the adaptation by Jason Reynolds.

The interpretation has some of the same kind of bones but it hits a little different and while I hate to compare, a little comparison must be done because there are elements of Stone's style that will date itself soon than how Reynolds adapted the other book. Having had her speak at our school, heard her many times at conferences, follow her on social media, AND at SLJTeenLive! talk about the book (with Kendi), this is 100% her voice, it's casual and smart entrusting that the teens will come along with her. She won't sugarcoat and won't change who and how she is. It's the voice of the book. She uses her "Nic's notes" as literal Post-it's in the book and then includes a lot of bold-face and format changes to get the point across. A lot is happening on most of the pages so some will love it and some will hate it.

Yet when all is said and done, she and Kendi wanted to bring antiracism to the next generation and giving them vocabulary and context is exactly what's done in the book to great celebration. Everyone will clamor for the book and use pieces or the whole thing to continue the conversation.

[kennedibutwordy · Rating 4 out of 5]

(thank you so much penguin teen for this arc!!!)

i would recommend this book to everyone! although over the years i've become more enlightened about some topics- this work showed me i still have a bit of progress to make with unlearning and changing my mindset. i loved learning all the new words, and types of racism; and how there's no either you're racist or you're not. to be entirely against racism, we have to learn how to be anti-racist, and anti-all of racism's intersections like (queerphobia, sexism, misogyny, etc). i bookmarked many sections throughout this read & the examples that dr. kendi gives from his own life make the book more relatable and easy to follow. i'm so glad that young readers will be able to be exposed to books like this!

[Kirstyn (readwithkirstyn) · Rating 3 out of 5]

How to be a (Young) Antiracist is an iteration of How to Be an Antiracist that YA author Nic Stone has helped to adapt for a younger audience. While I think this book is a vital tool for education it didn't do much for me (perhaps because I have read the original iteration). With this version I worry the book will become dated very quickly, which isn't quite what we need in a tool like this - we need something a little more timeless, I guess? We all have room to grow when facing these subjects and this can be a helpful guide in doing so - but if you're able I would honestly just recommend reading the original book!

[Janae · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a white women with four children I feel it is my role to teach my babies that being a good human TO ALL is a fundamental demand. It HAS to be done in our home. There is zero other option.

However, I don't always know what tools to use to make sure I am teaching this correctly.

Enter "How to be a young AntiRasist". This book creates a great foundation for making sure our children, all children, become good humans.

This would be good for ages 10 and up in my opinion. However, talking about the things you learn with younger children would be incredible too!

[Courtney Kammers · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read the OG of this and I like this one just as much and for different reasons. I appreciate the showcases of necessary growth because we all say stuff when we’re young and need to have the room to move past it and grow up.

This offers a lot of solid advice. My favorite of which is that when someone calls you on something, the best thing to do is pause and listen and reflect. It might not mean you have to change - people call each other out all the time - but pausing and thinking gives you a chance to heal a relationship instead of harming it further.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a deep and meaningful commentary on a fellow author and activists life that informs about becoming and existing in a world full of -ists and -isms. The time travel aspect of the ending made me cry from the internal peace it gave me about my future self looking back now.
Made all the better for commentary but also a true homage to the original.

[Carissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this ARC from Penguin; I’m not required to leave a review. I haven’t read How to Be an Antiracist. Yet.

I have to say upfront that I didn’t enjoy this book stylistically. I really, REALLY hate second person POV, I find it stifled and awkward to read, and the mildly patronizing voice of Stone as the narrator made that even harder to read past. I thought the Post-Its in the corner were cute… until they weren’t. They were useful when they provided historical evidence or name dropped, but some of the “funny” asides…

It just wasn’t for me.

I’m also reading this as an adult, not the target audience, so reading a lot of terms I already knew got old fast. There wasn’t a lot of new information and I really do feel that some of Kendi’s more revolutionary ideas were minced by Stone’s backtracking. This is not helped by the fact that I really despise second person with a flaming, fiery passion. I am trying so hard to separate my review from that, I swear.

Insofar as the content goes: it’s good. It’s not super well organized, it’s intentionally all over the place chronologically and that’s a whole other demon, but it’s genuinely good meat. It’s upbeat, charming, beautifully articulated (usually), and only occasionally pulls Ye Olde “teenagers can’t conceive of technology prior to 2010 whooooOOOOooo” nonsense. It taught me, at my old age (joke!), a few new concepts to unlearn and unpack. I never could have received this insight into Black teenagehood, particularly Black teenagehood in the naughts and nineties, anywhere else.

It certainly made me want to read How to Be an Antiracist!

[Kirin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thank you for getting me the arc of How to Be A (Young) Anti Racist, I was really looking forward to reading it. Unfortunately I have been able to make much progress. I didn't realize that it was co written by Nic Stone and after her Instagram and Twitter postings of anti Palestinian sentiment and praising the rights of the occupiers in support of oppression, I really can't see how to move past her actions and see if the text can hold any weight. Additionally after struggling to get through chapter one I began Googling Nic Stone and saw her anti Islamic positions and vitriol as well. I tried not reading her "Nic's Notes" and just stick to Ibram X. Kendi's lens, but the book doesn't really work like that and the words and sentiments seem so hollow when her actions speak so loudly against the very principles being addressed.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how every textbook should read: relatable, approachable, informative, and modern with true history lessons and a common character to track throughout.

[mackenzie lam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to rate it 4.5, but I don't know how to

[Anne Bennett · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Here's to being a antiracist." Every book I read on the subject helps me move in the right direction.

When I read an adult book which has been adapted for young adults I always try to imagine what students would read this book and how much effort it would take to keep them moving through the book. Unfortunately I had a hard time imagining any of my past students wanting to read this book, even if they had a lot invested in making sure there are more antiracists in our country. I wish what I was saying wasn't true, but that is how I felt reading it myself.

The book tells Kendi's story through Stone's mouth, but she is not exactly a interviewer. It is confusing. Then to make points Kendi's story doesn't unfold in a chronological way. Okay. As an adult I can cope with jumping around narratives, but a lot of younger readers have a hard enough time holding together facts if they are presented in a very linear fashion let alone bouncing around.

Lastly the emphasis on vocabulary is essential but it is also confusing. I'm pretty sure I'd have to reread the book and take notes this time to make sure I understand the differences between some of the terms. Terminology is important but couldn't it be shortened or consolidated to make a few terms more memorable?

I hope a lot of people are convicted about where they live inside of a racist community/country and takes steps to move things in a more equitable fashion. Every book, TED talk, news program that helps move the dial in the right direction is worth the effort. Thanks.

My review: https://headfullofbooks.blogspot.com/...

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Note: I am reading the advanced copy version of this book, and I have not read the original "How to Be an Antiracist" book either.

Simplifying a seemingly systemic and interconnected racism in our society is hard, but Nic is writing a very interesting point of view: a story of a Black boy's phase of learning, unlearning, and relearning over his course of his life, which is none other than Dr. Ibram himself, and then narrated his life lessons to us, the reader.

Of all points that I find really interesting, one struck me out from the first chapter introduced within the book: that there is no racist as a person (noun). There are only racist ideas, which means people can change, for the better. Realizing past mistakes are part of the change, so Nic doesn't blame the readers, Nic just suddenly made sense of it all. Also understanding that racism can also intersect with many, many other forms of prejudices, which makes you realize dismantling racism is also dismantling every single forms of discrimination.

I love on how Ibram and Ken's unique style of writing that is built with empathy, humility, and understanding, not rage. Something I rarely seen on many other books.

[TheNextGenLibrarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

How To Be Antiracist by @ibramxk adapted for young adult readers by @nicstone
✊🏿
Stone took Kendi’s concept of learning and becoming antiracist and applied to those 12 and up. Using her trademark humor and amazing ability to write and connect with young readers, Stone shares how antiracism is a journey and the map on how to best get there through their own path and experiences.
✊🏿
Having read both editions I can definitively say that Stone understood the assignment when it came to speaking to our youth about the topic of racism and antiracism. She speaks to them on their level about their concerns and lived experiences very similarly to the way Jason Reynolds did in Stamped. We need our young adult students to think critically about their future and the future they want for this country. Stone’s post-it notes throughout were the best. This title releases January 31 and is for every secondary classroom & library.

CW: racism, misogyny, cancer, homophobia

[Kevin Nolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read (listened to) the original, 3 times, and now this youth adaptation I am deeply impressed by Dr. Kendi's understanding and framing of the problems of identity discrimination in the US. His definitions are clear and frame a profound and cogent system for both self reflection and structural reform. The self-reflection bit is what I think many who loudly critique Dr. Kendi and other antiracist authors and activists miss. In the original, but more pointedly in this adaptation, the personal criticism is piled most sharply on previous versions of Ibram X. Kendi. We follow Nic Stone's skillful navigation of Kendi's story to bluntly confront the racist ideas that Kendi himself ascribed to and acted on. This narrative approach allows the reader to identify with Kendi in that moment and instead of ridicule and shame, we are given hope and inspiration right along with the developing Dr. Kendi. I can identify similar ideas that I have held to in my distant (sometimes not-so-distant) past. I can learn from the way young Ibram learned from these mistaken ideas to move towards a better understanding of himself and the society we live in. At its core, the message of this book is one of optimism and hope. That once we recognize wrong, racist ideas, we can all learn antiracist ideas, and find antiracist solutions together. And together, build a better, more antiracist society that welcomes all people and the beautiful rainbow of colors and identities (with their myriad intersections) that are the human species.

[Tugce Tuncdemir · Rating 3 out of 5]

"How to Be a Young Antiracist" by Ibram X. Kendi and Nic Stone provides a compelling introduction to racism and antiracism. The authors use personal stories and anecdotes to make these complex ideas more accessible to young readers. I appreciated how they included essential concepts such as microaggressions, internalized oppression, and cultural appropriation. Many quotes in the book are thought-provoking, particularly those reflecting how racist ideas are learned and can be unlearned. The "Four C's of Changemaking" section stood out to me for its clarity and relevance. The book effectively encourages young people to think critically about the world around them and to believe in the possibility of real, systemic change.

However, while I admire the book's message and importance, I struggled with its overall flow. Some stories and examples may not resonate with younger readers, and the transitions between anecdotes and concepts sometimes feel disjointed, making it challenging to stay fully engaged. I enjoy Ibram Kendi's other works and can see his strong influence here, but this book was less cohesive than his previous writings. Still, the insights offered, such as rethinking terms like "microaggression" and exploring issues like confirmation bias and racialized spaces, make this an important read for fostering antiracist thinking in the next generation.

[Libba Kellner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book contains some difficult truths and can make readers uncomfortable and defensive. I don’t think that’s a bad thing. In fact, I think those responses are necessary for any meaningful change.

There are so many lines from this book I want to hang onto, like “Historically speaking, racism is a function of self-interest. And of greed.” I struggle with sharing my own resources. I hoard what I have and want more. Maybe this is the kind of thinking that works to keep some people down. And maybe racist ideas validate keeping some people down. It’s a lot to think about. And a lot of my friends who dispute the continued existence of racism seem to be doing pretty well, too. Again, it’s a lot to think about.

So, I will start with myself and will hold on to a line from the beginning: “. . . that’s what this book is about: the journey to being fully human and to seeing others as fully human.” Nic Stone reminds me: “We either perpetuate racism—even through silence—or we choose to oppose it at every opportunity.”

This book is written for young readers, but I think it is also for people who, like me, haven’t done a lot of thinking about racism, in themselves and in their world. It’s a book I’ll return to as I continue the struggle to be better and do better.

[Shay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay so initially I had given this book 5 stars because I found it presented a lot of the concepts on anti racism, intersectionality, class racism, gender racism, etc. in a really clear and digestible format for younger readers, and this was definitely going to be a book I would have recommended to a lot of young folks in activism, however after doing a bit more research, I’ve discovered that the co-author of this book is a Zionist that supports the apartheid state of Israel and the occupation of Indigenous Palestinian land. This is so unfortunate because so much of the book is focused on turning inward and acknowledging our role in upholding oppressive systems, and how we approach that, only for one of the authors to be directly supporting an oppressive state and regime. Such a shame cause I was wanting to have this be a book I kept in the classroom once I become an educator. I will be taking a look at the original book by Ibram X. kendi that inspired this however, as I believe I’ll find much of the same ideas in there but expanded upon, and without a co-author that upholds the oppressive systems she condemns.

[Tara Gold · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

In short, this is a great book for the intended audience and I will be buying this for my library. For me personally, though, I need to follow it up with the adult edition of the book because I was left wanting more!

The tone here was chill, casual, and informative, like a big brother/sister teaching readers about the world from experience. Kendi shares a lot of his personal experiences understanding how racism operates in the world and how it has affected him, and uses the experiences to teach about the bigger picture issues at play. Nic Stone also has a strong voice in this, and even contributes explicitly in the gender and sexual orientation discussions.

This book is fast-paced and relatively short, so it serves as a great introduction for teens looking to learn more about the history and impact of racism, as well as how to develop antiracist dispositions and actions.

[Hilary Margitich · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible read. I have not yet read the adult version, but imagine that it will resonate even more poignantly with my adult perspective. For the young adult audience, however, I love this adaptation, and think Nic Stone does a dynamite job with it. Her writing is lively, and smart, and thoughtful.

Kendi is a force of life. I love the way he comes out of the gate talking about his own embedded racism--the racism we have *all* been immersed in from the time we were born on this earth. It is a narrative that is suprisingly unifying, and constructive, and believe it or not, OPTIMISTIC.

I think every teen should read this book, perhaps as part of their curriculum. It's a ground-breaking yet extremely intuitive (you'll find yourself saying "yeah...that's right" over and over) that I think everyone will relate to on a deep emotional level.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA author Nic Stone does a great job of adapting Dr. Ibram X. Kendi's How to be an Antiracist for the young activists in your classroom. In clear prose and easily digestible definitions, even this old English teacher learned of the nuances of the different -isms. Basically, what it comes down to is that any time we lump people into one definition without looking at individuals as individuals, then we too are a perpetrator of -isms. The post it like memos from Nic (Nic's notes) were fabulous little asides as if she was reading this alongside us and also learning and sharing her own "aha"s on this journey.

[Sarah Krajewski · Rating 3 out of 5]

YA author Nic Stone takes Dr. Ibram X. Kendi’s How to Be an Antiracist and rewrites it for teens. Using the same topics for chapters—the forms of racism like cultural and gender—Nic dives into this huge topic by sharing Kendi’s own history, but puts her own spin on the wording. She even adds her own “Nic’s Notes” post-its to add further explanation. Readers will learn along with Dr. Kendi’s story, but may still have more questions by the time they’re done.

I think a book like this one will help teens on their antiracist journey, but it’s still a lot to digest. Also, though I get why Nic wrote this in the 2nd person (to Dr. Kendi about his earlier years), some may find it confusing.

[MeganRuth - Alohamora Open a Book · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars. This is a fantastic resource, and a great adaptation from the adult How to be an Antiracist. I thought the information presented was at an appropriate level for Teens, and presented in a way that they could reference and refer to over and over again.

Nic's Notes, for the most part, were applicable, beneficial, and helped the understanding of an idea.

All in all, I feel this book is a great tool for teens to learn vocabulary, context, and steps that can be accomplished.

Excellent adaptation.

[Morgan J. Watchorn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is so. Freaking. Important. Had this book been part of my education when I was in school, I feel like I would've known that good intentions weren't enough much sooner and been able to equip myself with the tools to look internally and get comfortable with my discomfort. This book provides a lot of much needed context, definitions, and structure for antiracist learning in a society built to keep a pathway to change buried. The work is never done, but I'm so grateful to now have a better understanding on how to identify and navigate situations where my allyship can do some good.

[Princess]

Due to this being non fiction I will not be rating it. I will say I highly suggest this for all ages. I haven't read the book this one is based on but this one was so easy to read. I was understanding my own biases. I have quite some work ahead of me but I learned a lot and since this book comes out in 16 days I highly suggest you buy a copy.

Oh speaking of that thank you so much to penguinteen for sending me this ARC.

[Jim KABLE · Rating 5 out of 5]

Being Real

An excellent book - a manual for understanding oneself and the society in which one is raised. Though this written as a collaboration between two citizens of the US - it has applicability anywhere where racism exists - and certainly in Australia where I am reading this book. Highly recommended. I keep thinking of my kinfolk in Florida - out of the Caribbean - and the racist Governor de Santis - sends shivers down my spine.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The format was really fun as an audiobook. There was a lot to think about and it was very clearly presented. The definition of terms sections were very helpful. I didn’t agree with everything that was said, but I did appreciate that those things I disagreed with reminded me not to get too comfortable with my understanding of racism (and, more broadly, the world in general) and encouraged me to keep learning.

[Nawal Ciaramitaro · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a lot good information for young people. I think if teens read this book, they will learn a lot that they may not have been exposed to. I wasn't a huge fan of the jumping around in Dr. Kendi's timeline. It made it hard to follow. Also, the second-person "you" of Stone, retelling Dr. Kendi's life, was awkward. I get why the book had a lot of teen slang since it is trying to appeal to teens, but I worry that this could "date" the book in a sense.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nic Stone does wonders with Ibram X. Kendi's original How To Be an Antiracist, which I found a little bloated with biography. This version does a great job with definitions and history. Very appropriate for teens but also great for adults who want an abbreviated version of Kendi's seminal work.

Would highly recommend listening to it because Nic Stone is the narrator, and her personality makes this tough topic accessible.

[Liz Lytle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5/5 ⭐
This book was a great and quick read, while this was definitely for those a slight bit younger than I am it still had incredible information. Nic Stone was incredible throughout the book and I appreciate the insight her perspective as a queer woman of color brought to the book. I truly think this book should be in classrooms across the United States, and this introduction makes me even more excited to read How to Be an Antiracist.