TCRWP is thrilled and honored to celebrate the May 11 publication of Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You, adapted by our own Dr. Sonja Cherry-Paul from the work of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds. The book includes gorgeous illustrations by Rachelle Baker. The excitement growing around this book reflects the deep need to have accessible, kid-friendly, unflinchingly honest language to help kids (and families, and educators) the world over grapple with a legacy of racism.
This year, in our suggested sequence of units, we’ve carved out time in grades 3-8 for an interlude to study this critical text, a weeklong period you might devote to diving deep, perhaps across content areas, into the book and all the ideas and questions it will spark. We hope that this book, and this interlude, will launch conversations about race, racism, antiracism, and equity that will continue all year long.
Jacqueline Woodson writes, “Stamped is the book I wish I had as a young person and am so grateful my own children have now.” Jewell Parker Rhodes describes it as, “Sheer brilliance.” How amazing it is to hear such wonderful reviews from literary luminaries! At the Project, as we’ve had the privilege to read Sonja’s adaptation and share it with our own children, we have all been blown away by the importance of the content, and by the power and beauty of Sonja’s voice in the text - it’s warm, inviting, and always truth-telling. Those of you who know Sonja in person know that these words also describe her!
You can read more about Sonja’s dreams for Stamped (For Kids) in Sonja’s letter to readers.
We couldn’t be prouder of Sonja and we know this will be an invaluable addition to your homes and classrooms.