The Antiracist Kid: A Book About Identity, Justice, and Activism

by Tiffany Jewell, Nicole Miles (Illustrator)

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of This Book Is Anti-Racist , Tiffany Jewell, with art by Eisner-nominated illustrator Nicole Miles, The Antiracist Kid is the essential illustrated guide to antiracism for empowering the young readers in your life! What is racism? What is antiracism? Why are both important to learn about? In this book, systemic racism and the antiracist tools to fight it are easily accessible to young readers. In three sections, this must-have guide This book teaches young children the words, language, and methods to recognize racism and injustice—and what to do when they encounter it at home, at school, and in the media they watch, play, and read.

Genres: Nonfiction, Middle Grade, Social Justice, Childrens, Education

128 pages, Hardcover

Published October 4, 2022

Reviews

[Dolly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book presents the concept of being an anti racist to children and highlights ways in which we can all make the world more equitable. It has a very good message, but the book's narrative seems a bit clunky.

interesting quote:

"...you are never too young to advocate against racism and injustice." (p. )

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pre-reading before I share with my son and I can honestly say it will be totally appropriate for an 11 year old. Great examples of real-life discriminatory practices in an easy to understand format.

[Corinne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really look forward to the release of this book because I will be buying a print copy to have at home. The author uses really clear, plain language to explain some topics that people have trouble understanding. In fact, I think that even adults would benefit from reading this book - even if you already understand the concepts of identity, justice and activism - because it provides really straightforward language to understand and talk about it.

Because I reviewed an ARC I didn't get get to see all the artwork but what is there is lovely. Also I think there may be some room for some tightening up on a bit of repetition but again, this is a really early ARC so I'm sure much of that will be addressed.

My 11 year old son read the book with me and he also said he found it really clear and easy to understand.

I received a digital Advanced Review Copy from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

[Faye Bertenshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Antiracist Kid absolutely needs to be a staple book in all school libraries and classrooms! It covers so many important topics such as stereotypes, gender pronouns, activism and race whilst also teaching children to own their identity and use their voice. I particularly liked how each section was broken down making it easy to read and understand, even myself as an adult learnt a thing or 2 whilst reading this book.

I would highly recommend this book to all parents and educators who are looking at approaching any of these topics but aren’t quite sure where to start as. This book would make a great ice breaker and opens up plenty of opportunity for discussion.

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Tiff · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was extremely informative and easy to read. The author here knows her demographic and how to speak to children. It's absolutely wonderful. This is a great aide in getting children to talk about diversity across the board. A wonderful book. The illustrations are fun too! My children are probably a bit younger than the intended audience for this book, but it's never too early to start these conversations and teach these ideals. I will 100% be acquiring a copy for my classroom at some point.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an early copy of this in exchange for an honest review (and a big thank you fo the author/illustrator team for producing this!)

[Genevieve Trono · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a mother to middle-grade readers, I am always on the lookout for informative non-fiction books to add to our home library.

This book is expertly written and has the perfect balance between identity, justice and activism to be both informative and inspiring. The writing is accessible and inclusive and I loved the broken down descriptions.

This is a book I know we will be adding to our bookshelves and I appreciate having the opportunity to read and review this galley.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is aimed at a young audience—older Elementary and middle school aged children. I thought this brief book was really informative. The author was addressing serious issues in clearly defined, easily understood terms. I feel that it teaches about respecting yourself and the rest of the members of the human family.

[Peter Z. · Rating 1 out of 5]

Racist book.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one I'll come back to again and again for plain language definitions and explanations and examples.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is necessary. We must have deep conversations with our kids. This book is a great start. The book itself is well organized and covers a range of topics beyond race (it includes gender identity, socioeconomic status, etc). My one complaint is then that the title should dare to go beyond just being an anti racist kid. The book is boldly attempting to create more open minded and empathic children. I do feel like the word usage brings the book to upper middle level kids as there are a lot of words on one page and that is often too difficult for younger readers. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review. I am grateful to have read a book that is this important.

[Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The title implies that this book is a primer on race and how to transform racism. Yes, it does address race. However, the subject matter is much broader.

Jewell and her illustrator, Nicole Miles, discuss identity, justice, and activism on the issues of race, ethnicity, family structure, gender identity, sexual preference and how power structures support some of these identities and oppress others.

The text has a lot of white space around paragraphs that are often set on color swatches to make them more distinct from each other. The book defines a lot of concepts and provides some historical examples. However, it also has images of people (some created to illustrate identities, some real people who are activists from the past and present). There are a lot of efforts in the writing, illustration, and graphic design to make the book accessible.

There also invitations for the reader to reflect and respond to questions (but this is not a workbook; readers would need to do this on a separate piece of paper).

For example, under the section "What You Can Do!" are these questions with suggested responses: What do I do when someone is acting prejudiced towards me? How do I advocate for myself? What do I do if someone says that I am prejudiced? Can I repair with myself too? Is Racism more than personal prejudice and bias? How can I spot injustice? How do I talk about racism and injustice with people?

The back matter includes acknowledgements, bios for the author and illustrator, a glossary of about 100 terms, and a list of "Books to Read to Keep Learning and Growing" aimed at young readers and another list "Books for the Adult Readers (so They can keep Learning and Growing too!)

I can see students ages 10 to 15 being the ideal audience for this book. Nevertheless, I found the content interesting, informative, and provocative--with an aim towards personal transformation.

[Louise (Bookmarks and Stages blog) Cannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative and a book for debate and for the most part, clear and concise.

The title gets a point across, even though a bit pedantically, but I opened it up, hoping for improvements and expecting much as it seemed to have potential to be a useful classroom tool. There are some improvements and some potential. It's marketed for young children, but really some of the content is aimed more for children from 10/11 plus, even though there are illustrations, which are really good. There are useful questions throughout that schools can use in their discussions and there are elements of the content that are excellent, especially the first sections about identity and the justice part is okay, but I felt sadly that there were elements that could be tighter, although for the most part, it is clear and concise and diagrams aid in this.. There could have been a few more useful elements to help with inclusivity.
It is very much for the American market but if you pick it up in other countries, some of the content is relevant or useful. There's a definite slant on it and quite a bit of emotion from the author that comes through, but there is solid fact in many areas of the book, which is more useful in there too that can provoke discussion and thoughtfulness. It is the facts that pull the rating up a bit and the layout makes it easy to read. The resource at the back of bullet points of what kids just read is useful.
All in all it is an okay book that has some potential for discussions.

[Katey (Kaje) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC of The Antiracist Kid from Netgalley as an educator, for the purpose of reviewing it for my classroom setting. This book was an absolute gem (no pun on Jewell's name intended). I previously purchased This Book is Antiracist, which was an amazing resource that I ensured was place in the middle school classroom at my last teaching job. I will definitely be getting a physical copy of this book to keep in my classroom and lend out to other teachers! Tiffany Jewell knows exactly how to talk to children. This book was friendly and easy to read without seeming like she was dumbing down the information. Sometimes I think that authors don't always understand how to present facts and vocabulary to young readers. Students have, in the past, given feedback that books they read for school feel too childish. I think this book targets its intended audience excellently.

I wish I had this book when I was a kid and I can't wait to share it with my students! The Antiracist Kid by Tiffany Jewell is out on September 20th of this year (2022). If you're a parent or someone who works with kids in any capacity, I recommend preordering this book to share with your little ones. It was incredible. It is recommended for children between 6-9 at grade levels 1-4. I do think it could be given to even middle grade students, however, and this is based on reading level or how aware they already are of the world. It is such an amazing introduction to social justice for all kids.

[Kris · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Great overview here, and for the most part, the concepts are well-explained. I did think it got a bit too wordy and repetitive for the younger end of the audience. I was especially glad to see the difference between equity and equality explained, but it was oddly, a bit too simplified. If we divide things so everyone has 3 cookies, that's equal. But what is someone is extra hungry? What is someone has a bunch of cookies at home? Dividing them into each person getting 3 would be equality, but not equity. Which is true. But it is too simplified. The kids who read this kind of book are smart enough to questions things. You can't just say, "Hey. You have a bunch, so you don't get the same amount," without further context. This needs context. What if it was like the ant and the grasshopper, where both people were able to plan ahead, but only one did? Can't you just see the anti-woke criticism "COMMIES!" Explain that not everyone has the same ability to plan ahead. Explain how people who have enough are able to set some aside for later, but those of us who can just, or not quite, pay the bills, don't have the same ability.

The books is an odd balance between too much info and not enough context. These are complex issues, and kids should have the chance to explore them fully.

[Rebecca Ambrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jewell's 2020 debut "This book is anti-racist" is an excellent resource which I have used in lessons in my secondary school classes, as well as taking a lot from myself. This follow-up, which takes the same lessons and aims them at a younger age-group is another excellent read and is so accessible, whether read at home or in an educational setting.
The chapters are laid out really well, with simple and accessible language about how race is defined by society and how negative treatment of people because of their race is perpetuated. It teaches the reader easy to undertand lessons about how we can be better allies and people in general, and is unequivocal in the reasoning for why these lessons are so necessary. It does this in a matter-of-fact way, stating the issues and suggested solutions, so the reader is able to feel empowered by the information given to them, even if their behaviour has been unacceptable in the past, that they can move on now with a new mindset and make a diffference.
I will be using this in school with my younger classes and with my own children. An excellent, and important, read.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. We could discuss each page in the classroom and all would be valuable. Children learn all different concepts from personal (identity) to general (society, community). 

"You know who you are!
You know who you are better than anyone else! 
You are the one who gets to choose how you identify!
You get to decide how much you will share with others!
You are learning more about yourself and your history every day.
No one can tell you who you are.
It does not feel good when other people try to tell you who you are.
You have a right to be yourself.
You have a right to be protected, to be heard, to be seen, to be respected, and to be a part of your community and society..."

The book is well put together. Goes from passive to active (learning about it, knowing how to act, to be heard, to advocate, and to repair). We all make mistakes. You can repair too: to listen and to be heard. 

The design is amazing including 130 vibrant pages with a pleasant font. Recaps of highlight information at the end of each chapter and conversation starters for a deeper discussion. 

[Andy Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

The book could be so much better. As an educational book the facts its states as true to make its point need also to be true. It also states that equality in not fairness, its example is "its not fair if each person gets the same amount of cookies, when one person has a lot of cookies at home....the person who has a lot of cookies should give ... cookies to the person who has not." Well what if the person with cookies at home had been saving their cookies, this sharing of wealth is very simular to communism, which is not explained. The book is very USA orientated and although claims a world view is not. I think this book will in fact lead to more racism in the net generation of US children and make the problem worse than it is already. There are also many historical facts that are not true, the concept of race and culture are not European inventions, the ancient Egyptians, Persians, Sumerians, (all Africans BTW), new about their cultural and racial differences it is documented. I do not recommend this book for children or schools.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tiffany Jewell provides a kid accessible take on racism in The Antiracist Kid. This illustrated chapter book walks readers through definitions and tools for becoming antiracist, because simply following along with a racist system without doing anything to combat that racism isn’t enough. Geared for elementary ages, this complements This Book Is Antiracist, although I admit to liking the latter book better. I think some of the definitions in this book could have been written more clearly to avoid confusion, particularly when defining that racism is not merely prejudice but also includes the systemic oppression of marginalized people and an imbalance in power.

I am always looking for good books to help kids learn empathy and to stand against oppression, so this can be a good conversation starter for younger kids to address some of those issues.

Disclaimer: A copy was provided by the publisher.

[NESTA TOYS · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tiffany Jewell’s The Antiracist Kid is an empowering and accessible guide for children to understand important concepts like identity, justice, and activism. Written with clarity and compassion, the book breaks down complex topics into simple, age-appropriate explanations, making it ideal for readers aged 8-12.

Jewell encourages young readers to explore their own identities, recognize biases, and stand up against injustice in ways that are both actionable and relatable. The vibrant illustrations by Nicole Miles beautifully complement the text, adding an engaging visual element to the book.

What sets this book apart is its interactive nature—it includes questions, activities, and real-world examples that inspire kids to think critically and take meaningful steps toward creating a fairer world.

This book is a must-read for families, classrooms, and anyone striving to raise kind, socially aware children. It’s both inspiring and empowering.

[Bea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulously informative book to not only being antiracist but also discrimination and segregation & understanding innate privilege that many people don't understand they are born with based on the colour of their skin & where they were born. This book was the perfect book to read with my nearly 10 year old about racism & inequality in our world. I loved the text bubbles, that included definitions, basic history, examples of what the main text was explaining, and all in a way that made it easy for the young audience to absorb the information. I loved that the book asks questions of the reader, it encourages discussions & further research. This book should be added to every library, school, & home library. I was given the opportunity to read this as a digital ARC via Netgalley. All viewpoints are my own.

[Andee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC in exchange for review.

I love "This Book Is Anti-Racist" by Jewell - so much that we have 100 copies in our middle school library. I wanted to read The Antiracist Kid to see how similar it was. This book for elementary kids covers a lot of the same information. More for upper elementary than younger.

Jewell does a great job with definitions, vocabulary, and having the reader dive into their own identity. I'd love for this to be required reading. But we know there are people all over the country who would flip out at the suggestion of reading a work like this. Which is really too bad.

This is a great book for groups or guidance by an adult that could help with any questions. I'm glad this material is out there. Now if people would just get to the point where this is common knowledge.

[Jessica Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Antiracist Kid is an excellent tool in helping kids — and adults — identify discrimination and how to stand up to it. Written in clear, concise and comfortable prose, each idea or point is easy to identify and understand.

Author Tiffany Jewel begins with the basics of identity — personal, social, race and ethnicity — and celebrating differences. The next section focuses on justice — what is fair and what is not. And ends with activism — the little and big changes kids can make.

At 130 pages, The Antiracist Kid is fairly short, but kids/adults will likely spend time discussing/thinking about the topics in greater detail. Illustrator Nicole Miles helps break up information with fun illustrations, and the text itself is broken up into short paragraphs, bullet points and calls to action.

The Antiracist Kid is a strong resource for families and teachers. I highly recommend it.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is outstanding. I appreciated that it was less than 200 pages and walked kids through what they needed to know in easy-to-read, clear language. The best part of this book is the vocabulary any young person would get from reading The AntiRacist Kid due to kick-ass glossary and explanations in the text.

I agreed with 98% of the book. I don't think the equity, equality section was explained so well because the text said fair is when everyone gets what they need. But what was unanswered in that section is who decides what someone needs. If it a politician, won't that just be abused by someone in office deciding some specific population doesn't need something or a lot of something and billionaires need even more yet?

[Lydia Haydeé · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have to say I LOVED this book by Tiffany Jewell. I have followed her brilliant Instagram for years so seeing her work and words come to life was a joy. Her book is deeply informative and age appropriate for the targeted audience. It truly breaks down the heart and history of tough questions like “What is culture?” And how to talk about differences. I would not only purchase this book to discuss with middle schoolers, I am happy to know it exists for my daughter to read one day. I would point to this book for parents that want to discuss the tough topics of race and racism with their kids but do not know where to start.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great introduction to not only being antiracist but also everything that goes into that. This book is great for 9-12 y/o. It introduces them to identity, slavery, prejudice, racism, activism, and so much more. There is the main text, which has a lot of repeating points which is helpful in remembering important points. There is also a lot of text in bubbles, that includes definitions, history, examples, and more. There are a lot of questions asked of the reader, which invites discussions or journaling. This would make a great addition to any library, school, or home library. (Read a digital ARC via Netgalley.)

[Miari Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how detailed the authors made this book. I am constantly looking for books that may be beneficial to add to my toddler's library. This is a book that may be best suited for older adolescents simply for the ease of understanding the definitions given in the book. I think the content is great for all ages, though. I liked how there were plenty of examples given for points made and how inclusive the art and stories were. I did feel like some of the topics jumped around a bit and would have been best kept with the introduction of that topic.


* Many thanks to NetGalley and Clarion Books for providing me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[LenaMarie · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no other word to describe this work other than AMAZING! This is age appropriate and the author's words are informative without being grounded in a non-fiction text kind of way. This breaks down the terminology and the concepts of relevant subjects in a kid friendly way. This allows children to gain an understanding of some tough topics. This is an excellent tool for parents and educators to use when working with younger children and discussing topics around race, racism and antiracism. This should be on every classroom shelf! This book is five stars! I will be buying a copy for every young child in my family when it is published!

[Sam - Read & Buried · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books is a great way to introduce kids to the concept of being antiracist. Jewell lays things out in an easy-to-understand format that isn't overwhelming, making the book ideal for a wide range of ages. The artwork is adorable, big concepts are explained in a no-nonsense way, and there are little prompts throughout to get kids thinking and beginning to start their own activism in small steps. I can see this being a book for families and kids to return to regularly, especially when talking about issues that might come up at school or in the news.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a copy for review.

[Kathy Iwanicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cannot thank @netgalley and Tiffany Jewell enough for the eArc of this incredible book. I am a big fan of Tiffany Jewell and love the book This Book is Antiracist and refer to it often when planning for my classroom. The Antiracist Kid needs to be in the hands of every child in every classroom. The book is divided into sections of Identity, Justice and Activism. Using child friendly vocabulary, Ms Jewell’s approach to teaching will keep all students learning. I highly recommend it for grade 3 - 7.

I give this book the highest rating of 5 stars, but wish I could give it more. I will be definitely adding it to my classroom library.

[Amanda Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received and ARC of this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

So...I have mixed feelings about this book. There is some really good, really important information here. Some things that maybe shouldn't need to be said, but do need to be said. But. The author has a very obvious target audience. And shouldn't a book like this appeal to everyone? How do we become "anti-racist" in this country if the only people who are taught it is a problem are the people who suffer from it? I don't get it. I also don't really think it has staying power. It's a great big meh from me. Don't see myself using it to teach my kids about any of the topics it covers.