Let's Talk About Race by Julius Lester

Let's Talk About Race Reviews

• 
  Melki

  Former University of Massachusetts professor Julius Lester presents a beautifully illustrated book about our lives and the stories we tell Just as I am a story and you are a story and countries tell stories about themselves race is a story too Whether you're black like me or Asian Hispanic or white each race has a story about itself And that story is almost always the same MY RACE IS BETTER THAN YOUR RACE Some stories are true Some are not Those who say MY RACE IS BETTER THAN YOUR RACE are telling a story that is not trueThe author offers ideas as to why some people may think their race is better and urges us all to look inside ourselvesBeneath everyone's skin are the same hard bonesHe suggests thatSuppose just suppose one day we I mean everyone in the whole world decided to take off all our clothes and all our skin and all our hairThis rather creepy thought is made palatable by Karen Barbour's lovely illustration of our skinless bodies Beneath the skin we all look alikeYour race is not all that you are My race is not all that I amThis book should be in every library and every classroom Though written over ten years ago we need it now than ever
• 
  Mariah Roze

  I have been wanting to read this book with my students forever and I am so glad I finally was able to do that My students loved this book It opened up a lot of discussions for us and it also was simple so they could follow along This book taught about how we all look the same under our skin so we should not be judging another person till we actually get to know them
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  Ebookwormy1

  Julius Lester tackles a topic not usually seen in children's books The effort is admirable and I WANT to enthusiastically recommend it but it just doesn't settle well with meHe makes the point that race doesn't completely define someone and that we are all made up of many different stories many different parts that all make the whole of 'who someone is' This part is done well Although I realized that he doesn't allow any leeway for someone who has parts of their story missing don't know relatives adopted etcThen he spends the rest of the book talking about race specifically which seems to undermine his previous efforts Even though he is emphasizing race is not all there is to his identity focus upon it instead of the other aspects of his story makes it a BIG DEAL In the end his solution is for us all to take off all our clothes and skin and see that we are the same Call me crazy but my precocious child would consider taking off his skin if not warned otherwiseThe drawings are colorful and interesting but at the same time weird and unsettling especially at the end of the book where he discusses taking off our skinI can see that it could be used to start discussion but overall I was disappointed
• 
  Jamila

  I appreciate Lester's emphasis on debunking superiority I do not support his emphasis on ignoring race and ethnicity Lester invites readers to shed themselves of their skin I'll take off my skin Will you take off yours? This invitation allows us to journey down the path of colorblindness without first saying I love your skin I respect your language I want to learn about your cultural heritage and historyHow many of us move about the world without our skin? How many laws and policies both past and present factor in our skin?Yes Lester writes Your race is not all that you are But it is a part of who you are It should be understood explored and celebrated It should be named acknowledged and loved That is how we talk about race with children
• 
  Berls

  OMG I love this book and the message The kids get it and get to interact while reading it So glad I found it and will definitely be buying a copy for my class library
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  Ericka Clouther

  This one is a great start for kids to begin to explain the evils of racism
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  538PM_Bela Patel

  This book introduces race as one part of an individual's story by an award winning author This a great book to help children understand that everyone is the same inside the differences are in the details of our own stories No one is better than anyone else based on their differences It allows children to explore their own thoughts about race and what makes them uniue It is a thoughtful book with compelling pictures and layered illustrations that encourage reader to linger on each page This would be great book to start a discussion about race and judging people based on their skin color hair clothes etcAge 4 8 yearsGrade 1 5A 2005 Gustavus Myers Outstanding Book Award Award winning authorNew York Public Library's One Hundred Titles for Reading and SharingChild Magazine Best Book
• 
  Zoe&

  A great introduction to a big topic for young readers The central concept is that everyone has a story the book is loaded with uestions which make it great for interactive reading Bright eye catching artPicture Book Non fictionGrades PreK 4Ages 4 15Themes prejudice racism emotions feelingsDDC 305800973
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  Michelle G.

  A picture book that isn't preachy but slices straight to the point Treats racism as a story that isn't true Which story will we believe? The one that is told to us or the one that we find out for ourselves?
• 
  Maggi Rohde

  There is something wonderful about Julius Lester's prose It sounds like a grandpa sitting next to you and talking just talking telling you his wisdom but never making you feel bad for not already knowing This is the beginning for all children for all people