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I'm Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers): Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me
An adaptation of the powerful New York Times bestselling account of growing up Black and female in America, completely rewritten with new stories for young readers
Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with race in America came at age seven, when she discovered that her parents had named her Austin to trick future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Channing Brown writes, “I had to learn what it means to love Blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.
In this adaptation of her bestselling and critically acclaimed memoir, she explores how America’s racial dynamics show up in the classrooms, friend groups, and conversations kids inhabit every day. “I love being a Black girl,” she writes. “And sometimes being a Black girl in America is hard.” Covering topics like representation, self-love, allyship, and being Black in public, Brown helps kids nourish their identity and make sense of how they fit into the world.
For students navigating a time of racial hostility, and for the adults and educators who care for them, I’m Still Here is an empowering look at the experiences of young Black kids, inviting the reader to confront apathy, find their voice, and discover how Blackness—if we let it—can save us all.
Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with race in America came at age seven, when she discovered that her parents had named her Austin to trick future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Channing Brown writes, “I had to learn what it means to love Blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.
In this adaptation of her bestselling and critically acclaimed memoir, she explores how America’s racial dynamics show up in the classrooms, friend groups, and conversations kids inhabit every day. “I love being a Black girl,” she writes. “And sometimes being a Black girl in America is hard.” Covering topics like representation, self-love, allyship, and being Black in public, Brown helps kids nourish their identity and make sense of how they fit into the world.
For students navigating a time of racial hostility, and for the adults and educators who care for them, I’m Still Here is an empowering look at the experiences of young Black kids, inviting the reader to confront apathy, find their voice, and discover how Blackness—if we let it—can save us all.
160 pages, Hardcover
Published April 4, 2023
9 people are currently reading
1845 people want to read
About the author
Austin Channing Brown
8 books1,013 followersAustin Channing Brown is a media producer, author, and speaker providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness and the Executive Producer of The Next Question: A Web Series Imagining How Expansive Racial Justice Can Be. Her workshops are incisive, fun, disarming, and transformative. By using an intentional mix of humor, pop-culture, story-telling, and audience engagement, she awakens people to the current realities of systemic racism and the everyday actions which make it possible. Whether she is being interviewed, lecturing, preaching or leading a workshop, Austin is sure to evoke thought, feeling and action as she celebrates Blackness and the possibility of justice in our organizations, teams and communities.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 54 reviews
Want to read
February 16, 2023I am preparing a unit for my 8th grade English students using multiple texts. This will go on my 'wish list' to teach.
April 5, 2023
I loved I’m Still Here so I was thrilled to hear about a young reader version of the book. The author has an incredible way of connecting with her audience and this book was no different even though it was targeted to a younger demographic. She told stories from her own childhood that will relate to young readers but also help parents connect with their kids if they choose to read it together. For readers of her first book - it’s not just a retelling of the book for a younger audience - it includes new stories so it’ll feel familiar but not the exact same. The warm encouragement she offers to her readers throughout is something our young people need more of and I’m so glad they have this book in their toolkit as they navigate growing up in our world. I wish I had this book growing up to better understand at that age what it was like for friends and classmates that were in predominately white spaces (classrooms, extracurricular activities, etc).
“There is no need to be shy about your accomplishments. You are able to achieve because other Black women paved the way for you. And now you will join them in paving the way for others. That is not something to be shy or modest about. Confidence and humility. That’s what we want to cultivate in our lives and in the lives of Black girls around us. Let’s hold our heads high while we celebrate our sisters and ourselves.”
“There is no need to be shy about your accomplishments. You are able to achieve because other Black women paved the way for you. And now you will join them in paving the way for others. That is not something to be shy or modest about. Confidence and humility. That’s what we want to cultivate in our lives and in the lives of Black girls around us. Let’s hold our heads high while we celebrate our sisters and ourselves.”
June 30, 2023
Let me first say that I am far from the target audience for this book. I am a middle-aged Asian man. But even I can see how important this book is. I can understand how important it is to be seen and to have your experiences and fears validated and to know you're not alone. This book should be studied in school. It's even eye opening for me. We have to be aware of the experiences of others. Especially those who don't look like us. We may not be able to fully understand the experiences but we can at least learn to be aware. Thanks to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.
January 2, 2025
I think I love this young adult version more than I do the adult text! Channing Brown captures the entire spirit of this book, it’s premise, and the struggle of being a person of color when she directs that “when other people are offended by your confidence, your power, your existence, that’s their problem, not yours.” Amen sister! Wow! I never realized this growing up in my half white world and even today! So powerful. This is great for any young person, especially black girls!! Confidence. Humility. Joy. Love it!
April 24, 2023
This book was so good!
Austin does not miss.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Austin does not miss.
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
Read
June 24, 2023Since this is a memoir, I won't rate it, as it never feels right rating someone's life experience.
So, the good....the last few pages have a very strong and positive message. This is a middle grade book, and those are the pages I want to read to my young teens.
But the majority of the pages are filled with...contradictions. I'm not sure how the majority of the book reconciles with what the author is trying to say in those last few pages. There was no bridge between the "struggles" and the happy and positive conclusion.
From an adult perspective, we see one person's story on what it was like being Black and going to a private school with predominantly White people. As a Latina, I could relate to some of the experiences, though my skin color never dictated my entire identity, so my point of view regarding these similar experiences differed greatly from the author's (which is okay, good even).
Basically, for an adult reader, the book is fine.
But this book is for 8-12 year olds, and that's the issue I had. Lines like, "I was failing at being Black" and, "She couldn't cure me" (regarding a friend...and curing her from being her authentic self) are harmful to young girls, especially vulnerable at that age. On top of that, there are so many assumptions made about White people in this book...AND Black people. In one story, the author talks about how insensitive teachers are when making a comparison to something like camping. Because it excludes Black people. Because...Black people dont go camping? I have Black cousins who go camping every year. What kind of blanket statement is that? And then the author further makes the assumption that the Black kids nodding at the comparison clearly have no idea...because there's no way they've ever been camping or can connect a couple dots to understand the comparison? I don't get it. These are college kids at a private university.
I seriously took down seven pages of notes, but I'll stop here. I'd recommend this book to adults who are interested in reading about other people's journeys, with the understanding that this reads more like commentary on an ideology than about actual racial disparities. Good conversation starter, but wouldn't recommend for kids. Unless you want to make them feel more insecure about who they are or make them think who they are is entirely dictated by the color of their skin.
So, the good....the last few pages have a very strong and positive message. This is a middle grade book, and those are the pages I want to read to my young teens.
But the majority of the pages are filled with...contradictions. I'm not sure how the majority of the book reconciles with what the author is trying to say in those last few pages. There was no bridge between the "struggles" and the happy and positive conclusion.
From an adult perspective, we see one person's story on what it was like being Black and going to a private school with predominantly White people. As a Latina, I could relate to some of the experiences, though my skin color never dictated my entire identity, so my point of view regarding these similar experiences differed greatly from the author's (which is okay, good even).
Basically, for an adult reader, the book is fine.
But this book is for 8-12 year olds, and that's the issue I had. Lines like, "I was failing at being Black" and, "She couldn't cure me" (regarding a friend...and curing her from being her authentic self) are harmful to young girls, especially vulnerable at that age. On top of that, there are so many assumptions made about White people in this book...AND Black people. In one story, the author talks about how insensitive teachers are when making a comparison to something like camping. Because it excludes Black people. Because...Black people dont go camping? I have Black cousins who go camping every year. What kind of blanket statement is that? And then the author further makes the assumption that the Black kids nodding at the comparison clearly have no idea...because there's no way they've ever been camping or can connect a couple dots to understand the comparison? I don't get it. These are college kids at a private university.
I seriously took down seven pages of notes, but I'll stop here. I'd recommend this book to adults who are interested in reading about other people's journeys, with the understanding that this reads more like commentary on an ideology than about actual racial disparities. Good conversation starter, but wouldn't recommend for kids. Unless you want to make them feel more insecure about who they are or make them think who they are is entirely dictated by the color of their skin.
April 3, 2023
I'm Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers) by Austin Channing Brown is an important book for its target readership, young Black girls (and boys for that matter), and an opportunity to better understand society for the rest of us.
Admittedly, for those of us who aren't Black, reading this will, or at least should, make us question some things we may have done or not done that helped to make our society less welcoming and less safe for others. Many of these things may not have been intentional, and may well have been unnoticed by us. That doesn't excuse what happened but doesn't need to be taken in a defensive manner. We need to become more aware, make conscious the effort to make the world better, and learn about the things that have become considered "the way it is," to nod to Bruce Hornsby.
The stories included cover experiences from Brown's youth, which makes them more relatable for young readers than many of the stories in the original. Many concepts are illustrated rather than given a deep theoretical explanation, though there is explanation. In fact, I think this method offers one of the best explanations/illustrations of how a place can be a "white space."
I have recommended this to both parents and readers who can benefit personally. I am eager to hear from some of my friends who are planning to share it, together, with their children. I know that having read this gave our discussions a much more solid foundation for my understanding of things I don't have firsthand experience with.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
Admittedly, for those of us who aren't Black, reading this will, or at least should, make us question some things we may have done or not done that helped to make our society less welcoming and less safe for others. Many of these things may not have been intentional, and may well have been unnoticed by us. That doesn't excuse what happened but doesn't need to be taken in a defensive manner. We need to become more aware, make conscious the effort to make the world better, and learn about the things that have become considered "the way it is," to nod to Bruce Hornsby.
The stories included cover experiences from Brown's youth, which makes them more relatable for young readers than many of the stories in the original. Many concepts are illustrated rather than given a deep theoretical explanation, though there is explanation. In fact, I think this method offers one of the best explanations/illustrations of how a place can be a "white space."
I have recommended this to both parents and readers who can benefit personally. I am eager to hear from some of my friends who are planning to share it, together, with their children. I know that having read this gave our discussions a much more solid foundation for my understanding of things I don't have firsthand experience with.
Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.
April 27, 2023
Full review at: https://readingourshelves.wordpress.c...
The stories here are mostly short and to the point, but they are great reminders (to an old folk like me) of how we are molded as kids. The stories are about church, school, hanging out with friends, getting that first crush. Things that kids – even ones growing up in a different time – will surely relate to.
This book is written to and for black girls, primarily. This only comes out in certain parts, though (mostly at the beginning and end). And while these girls will be able to see themselves in these scenarios, I think it’s equally important for other kids to consider the stories as well.
For example, she tells a story about a teacher using a hair salon as a scenario in class. A hair salon experience will be different for black kids and non-black kids, though. So, while the black kids reading this could be identifying with Brown’s confusion over the example – a white kid reading this might have never considered before why the teacher’s scenario didn’t make sense to everyone in the class. I feel like it could be eye-opening for younger readers to see that different perspective, maybe for the first time.
So, I think kids of all colors would learn something from these stories. Their takeaways will inherently be different, but it would be a good introduction to trying to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
The stories here are mostly short and to the point, but they are great reminders (to an old folk like me) of how we are molded as kids. The stories are about church, school, hanging out with friends, getting that first crush. Things that kids – even ones growing up in a different time – will surely relate to.
This book is written to and for black girls, primarily. This only comes out in certain parts, though (mostly at the beginning and end). And while these girls will be able to see themselves in these scenarios, I think it’s equally important for other kids to consider the stories as well.
For example, she tells a story about a teacher using a hair salon as a scenario in class. A hair salon experience will be different for black kids and non-black kids, though. So, while the black kids reading this could be identifying with Brown’s confusion over the example – a white kid reading this might have never considered before why the teacher’s scenario didn’t make sense to everyone in the class. I feel like it could be eye-opening for younger readers to see that different perspective, maybe for the first time.
So, I think kids of all colors would learn something from these stories. Their takeaways will inherently be different, but it would be a good introduction to trying to put yourself in someone else’s shoes.
April 16, 2023
Title: I’m Still Here
By: Austin Channing Brown
Genre:
Middle Grade, Young Readers Edition, Memoir
Recommended Ages:
6th-9th
Favorite Excerpts:
“His course transformed me by setting me free. I didn’t just have permission to tell the truth about history. I had permission to tell my truth. I had permission to make Black lives the center of my work. I had permission to be a disrupter, an agent of change. I had permission to speak up so those in the back could hear me. So I did.”
“Injustice-how the good choices are reserved for only a few- is the problem.”
“As you start to grow confident in who you are, it’s possible that others will resent that confidence. They will expect you to mirror their low expectations. And when you refuse to comply- when you set your own standard- they will do everything they can to bring you down to where they are.”
Summary/Review: This is a beautiful memoir written for the target audience of young African American girls (and boys). The author does a beautiful job describing her life as a young black girl, with a white boy’s name. I love the author’s relatable life experiences, and the apathy this edition teaches the reader. As an educator in a predominantly African American school, I will be highly recommending this novel to all middle grade class rooms. Brown opens the reader’s eyes to her life, her personal growth and living a life of grit, resilience, confidence, and self-love.
Thank you to Austin Channing Brown, Convergent Books, Penguin Random House, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#reluctantreaderreads
#austinchanningbrown
#netgalley
#advancedreadereditions
#penguinrandomhouse
#convergentbooks
By: Austin Channing Brown
Genre:
Middle Grade, Young Readers Edition, Memoir
Recommended Ages:
6th-9th
Favorite Excerpts:
“His course transformed me by setting me free. I didn’t just have permission to tell the truth about history. I had permission to tell my truth. I had permission to make Black lives the center of my work. I had permission to be a disrupter, an agent of change. I had permission to speak up so those in the back could hear me. So I did.”
“Injustice-how the good choices are reserved for only a few- is the problem.”
“As you start to grow confident in who you are, it’s possible that others will resent that confidence. They will expect you to mirror their low expectations. And when you refuse to comply- when you set your own standard- they will do everything they can to bring you down to where they are.”
Summary/Review: This is a beautiful memoir written for the target audience of young African American girls (and boys). The author does a beautiful job describing her life as a young black girl, with a white boy’s name. I love the author’s relatable life experiences, and the apathy this edition teaches the reader. As an educator in a predominantly African American school, I will be highly recommending this novel to all middle grade class rooms. Brown opens the reader’s eyes to her life, her personal growth and living a life of grit, resilience, confidence, and self-love.
Thank you to Austin Channing Brown, Convergent Books, Penguin Random House, and Netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
#reluctantreaderreads
#austinchanningbrown
#netgalley
#advancedreadereditions
#penguinrandomhouse
#convergentbooks
June 9, 2023
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC!
I requested this book awhile back because I found the synopsis intriguing and the content lined up with what I'd been studying at the time, but after I was approved I wasn't sure I was interested in reading it anymore. When I saw that it was less than 200 pages though, I decided to give it a try and I'm SO glad I did because this book was incredible and the author's writing blew me away!! I think part of the reason I was hesitant to start reading this in the first place was because I had just finished another book on race that I found to be very dull and heavy-handed on the political side of things and as a result, I was not excited about jumping back into another one. But in this book the author simply uses stories from her life to clearly and strikingly illustrate her message. I loved how readable it was and I was left challenged by so many of her experiences. Upon finishing this book, I would absolutely LOVE the chance to hear this woman speak in person and I am so glad that I stumbled upon and got the chance to read this amazing book. I highly recommend it! Happy Reading :)
I requested this book awhile back because I found the synopsis intriguing and the content lined up with what I'd been studying at the time, but after I was approved I wasn't sure I was interested in reading it anymore. When I saw that it was less than 200 pages though, I decided to give it a try and I'm SO glad I did because this book was incredible and the author's writing blew me away!! I think part of the reason I was hesitant to start reading this in the first place was because I had just finished another book on race that I found to be very dull and heavy-handed on the political side of things and as a result, I was not excited about jumping back into another one. But in this book the author simply uses stories from her life to clearly and strikingly illustrate her message. I loved how readable it was and I was left challenged by so many of her experiences. Upon finishing this book, I would absolutely LOVE the chance to hear this woman speak in person and I am so glad that I stumbled upon and got the chance to read this amazing book. I highly recommend it! Happy Reading :)
April 1, 2023
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing this eARC.
I'm Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers) is Austin Channing Brown's deeply personal memoir about growing up Black and female in America reimagined for young readers.
Sometimes, you read a book as an adult that you wish you and your peers had had access to when you were younger. This is absolutely one of those books. In telling these stories of her experiences as a child, Austin Channing Brown finds ways to make her stories relatable for young readers, to lead them to the parts of each recounting that are important to the themes of each story or important to take the time to consider in comparison to their own lives. She meets her audience where they are, treats them like they are young and growing but also treats them like they are capable of understanding and learning. This is a book I hope makes its way onto school reading lists and the shelves of both public and parents' home libraries, and ultimately into the hands of children who I know will grow into more kind, generous, and empathetic adults simply for having read this book.
I'm Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers) is Austin Channing Brown's deeply personal memoir about growing up Black and female in America reimagined for young readers.
Sometimes, you read a book as an adult that you wish you and your peers had had access to when you were younger. This is absolutely one of those books. In telling these stories of her experiences as a child, Austin Channing Brown finds ways to make her stories relatable for young readers, to lead them to the parts of each recounting that are important to the themes of each story or important to take the time to consider in comparison to their own lives. She meets her audience where they are, treats them like they are young and growing but also treats them like they are capable of understanding and learning. This is a book I hope makes its way onto school reading lists and the shelves of both public and parents' home libraries, and ultimately into the hands of children who I know will grow into more kind, generous, and empathetic adults simply for having read this book.
April 27, 2023
5/5
Austin Channing Brown has beautifully articulated the experience of being black. This book is written as a letter to
young black girls, starting off with “I love being a Black girl. And sometimes being a Black girl in America is hard”. I would recommend this for every little black girl because it will encourage conversations that will hopefully prevent feeling like an odd ball when around people who don’t look like you, and even when they do. Although I absolutely loved this book, the target audience is probably middle school aged. There are so many relatable situations discussed and reminders that “you are not responsible for making other people feel more comfortable”. This is the first book I have read by Channing Brown but I’m anxious to get my hands on the adult version, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #imstillhere
Austin Channing Brown has beautifully articulated the experience of being black. This book is written as a letter to
young black girls, starting off with “I love being a Black girl. And sometimes being a Black girl in America is hard”. I would recommend this for every little black girl because it will encourage conversations that will hopefully prevent feeling like an odd ball when around people who don’t look like you, and even when they do. Although I absolutely loved this book, the target audience is probably middle school aged. There are so many relatable situations discussed and reminders that “you are not responsible for making other people feel more comfortable”. This is the first book I have read by Channing Brown but I’m anxious to get my hands on the adult version, I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #imstillhere
October 24, 2023
I have always tried to imagine what it would have been like to be born in a different part of the world or era. As a black woman in Africa, my experiences with racial issues have been minimal. In terms of discrimination, I can think of just 1 incident where I was picked out from a group of colleagues while in France and was subjected to a ‘random’ search of my backpack despite everyone in the group having 1. So, I have always wanted to read and learn about people living in different spaces and their struggle especially where they are considered as the ‘other’.
I was curious about Austin’s story and tried to place myself in the environment she was in especially at school. I can understand the need to be seen, heard and acknowledged. Her experiences were so relatable and eye opening at the same time.
This is definitely an important read. The narrative style is well suited for young and adult readers. Quite a readable, educative and enjoyable book.
I was curious about Austin’s story and tried to place myself in the environment she was in especially at school. I can understand the need to be seen, heard and acknowledged. Her experiences were so relatable and eye opening at the same time.
This is definitely an important read. The narrative style is well suited for young and adult readers. Quite a readable, educative and enjoyable book.
April 8, 2023
I'm impressed with the vulnerable writing Austin Channing Brown uses in her story for young readers. Sharing her experiences of living as a young black girl in white spaces was eye-opening for me as a parent and educator. She gave us a bird's eye view of navigating the ever-changing racial dynamics in school, community, home, and workplace.
There are so many empowering messages in this book and here is one of my favorites: "As a Black kid you have a right to your anger over the injustice you face. But you also have a right to joy. I want profound joy for you. There will always be something to fight for, but you are worth fighting for too. You must learn how to enjoy joy, how to protect your peace, how to remember you are fully human: capable of fighting but entitled to resting."
There are so many empowering messages in this book and here is one of my favorites: "As a Black kid you have a right to your anger over the injustice you face. But you also have a right to joy. I want profound joy for you. There will always be something to fight for, but you are worth fighting for too. You must learn how to enjoy joy, how to protect your peace, how to remember you are fully human: capable of fighting but entitled to resting."
April 12, 2023
I read the original adult version of this book when it came out (and later again), and I am so glad I read this one, too. This is not just a memoir, but it is almost like a letter to Black girls from their super cool older cousin who is not too old to be disregarded. Girls will sit up and take note that these are words of truth and they will hold on to them. This is good because the book is loaded with encouragement and humor and joy. It's a needed dose of goodness.
And as a white mother of a white daughter: my daughter will be reading this in a few years. It's a beautiful way for her to see through the eyes of someone who is walking through this world in a way she won't see, but can definitely learn to understand. I am grateful to ACB for putting this work into the world.
And as a white mother of a white daughter: my daughter will be reading this in a few years. It's a beautiful way for her to see through the eyes of someone who is walking through this world in a way she won't see, but can definitely learn to understand. I am grateful to ACB for putting this work into the world.
July 4, 2023
As a school librarian, I'm constantly looking for non-fiction books that will get some traction. My school is in a rural, predominantly white area. We are barely the intended audience of this book. However, books are meant to expand your horizons (amongst other things) so we will be getting a copy of this one in our library. It's a collective memoir on the hardships of black Americans. The stories are so far removed from my personal experiences, and that increases understanding and empathy for others. In a climate where some like to claim that racism isn't still in America, this book serves as an indictment otherwise. The ending includes a call to action that is passionate and age appropriate. This book opens eyes.
April 4, 2023
Love this adapted version of I'm Still Here! Just like in the original version, Austin Channing Brown's storytelling is so dynamic, engaging, and well, outstanding! I was excited to read something from her that was geared to a younger audience, but honestly didn't realize I'd love it as much as the original. The chapters are short and very read-able, if I wasn't pacing myself with assigned chapters, I probably would have just read the whole thing in one sitting. This book is great for conversations with adults and young people alike, helping us connect to each other and our inner young person. ACB reminds us to believe each other and our experiences, to value them, and learn from them.
April 5, 2023
Austin Channing Brown is a gifted storyteller. By sharing her stories, the reader gets the opportunity to see through Austin’s eyes a world that they may or may not be familiar with. If you are an ally you will be enlightened as to non inclusive behaviors you may not have even thought about. This book brings you along on so many different experiences; some will make you smile, or stop and think, or awaken your righteous anger or possibly even make your jaw drop. It was a joy to read and hard to put down. It is a true gift to young girls of color and all of us rooting for a world where everyone is included and able to succeed.
April 5, 2023
ACB speaks from her experience and wisdom to bring us stories from her life, particularly as a child and young adult. Her narrative cuts straight to the point, and readers are given the chance to walk in her shoes and understand the impact of racism and anti-racism in her life. While marketed as a YA book, this work is for all ages and is another essential voice about experiences of Black people. While there are a few similarities to the original book, this is a fresh work with many new stories. I plan to use chapters as read aloud material for my high school classes. Highly, highly recommended.
April 6, 2023
I wish I could buy a copy for absolute every girl and woman I know. I love how Austin fully encircles facets of being black. The highs and lows, the hurts and joys, the perspectives of her and others, how they change, how they grow. She invites us to think critically about EVERYTHING and models it beautifully - giving so many examples on not just how to ask a question but what questions to ask. What her questions are and what they AREN'T. I feel like a much, much better person for having read this. Every kid, every adult, would benefit from reading this. Benefit epically, not just a bit. This is solid gold. #FayelleReads2023
July 16, 2023
This was a quick read that explained the complexities of growing up as a black girl and coming of age in a way that is easy to understand. When I entered this giveaway, I did not release this was the young readers adaptation. I am not a young reader however, I do this this is a great book for young children to read. It discussed the awful realities of racism without adding the weight of the world into the words. I can see this book making young girls feel less alone in the world. I do wish I had been able to read the unadapted version to get a fuller image. Despite the chapter being fairly short, the chapter "Dalin" made me cry.
April 4, 2023
If the minds of young people are like sponges, I hope every single one of them has a chance to absorb Austin Channing Brown's writings. Channing Brown's words empower and educate, and her writing style makes you feel like you're having a heart-t0-heart with your favorite teacher. She reminds young Black girls, and all of us, "Pushing back felt like an exercise in getting my facts straight." In a world where pushing back isn't easy, Channing Brown reminds young readers that they are not alone, and that this world was made for them, too.
April 22, 2023
Honest - brutally. Humorous - honestly. Revealing - humorously. This book is so straight forward it makes you want to slap your head and say - DUH! The book would be great for that white person who says they aren't racist, or that they want to be an ally but don't know how. This points out some really simple, obvious, things that may have never crossed their mind. But it would also be good to encourage young black people to be who they are and to not apologize. This is one of the best NF books I've read this year.
Read
June 9, 2023I recently finished this book and have suggested it to anyone I thought would listen and even a few who tuned me out.
It spoke to the little girl in me and listened to her and sat with her to give words to so many emotions she felt that laid the foundation for some interesting life experiences along my young adult journey.
I would highly suggest this as a book club choice for girls 11+. Might be a great summer read and full of great conversation starters.
Thank you Mrs. Channing Brown for sharing this story, thank you!
It spoke to the little girl in me and listened to her and sat with her to give words to so many emotions she felt that laid the foundation for some interesting life experiences along my young adult journey.
I would highly suggest this as a book club choice for girls 11+. Might be a great summer read and full of great conversation starters.
Thank you Mrs. Channing Brown for sharing this story, thank you!
August 22, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. EXCELLENT memoir for young adults. The author recounts her childhood, teen years, and college experience as a Black female in America. She talks about the times she felt like an outsider and what it was like growing up as one of the only Black students in her school, as well as when she attended a summer camp where she didn’t feel Black enough. She pays homage to the adults who shaped her, and gives advice to today’s youth about not being afraid to take up space. Highly recommend both as a mirror and a window for middle and high school readers. Recommended for grades 6+.
March 1, 2025
I read this with my black son, and it was such a wonderful experience to learn about Brown's life and experiences as a child raised in a predominantly white community. It also has broad applications for the church, which at once affirms and oppresses.
It raises important questions of church leaders, teachers and adoptive parents - how do we support our children in a world not made for them while also reaffirming their worth, beauty and liberation? I think this book would be a great choice for a classroom read, and should be incorporated, especially in religious schools.
It raises important questions of church leaders, teachers and adoptive parents - how do we support our children in a world not made for them while also reaffirming their worth, beauty and liberation? I think this book would be a great choice for a classroom read, and should be incorporated, especially in religious schools.
March 5, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy to read. An adaptation of her memoir of the same name, the author writes to younger readers, sharing how race showed up in school, among friends, and other every day conversations. As children we often don't know how to name the aspects of the culture around us but we can feel them-often times in our bodies as the author describes. Though a book for young readers this is a book I wish I had when I was younger.
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April 9, 2023I work with middle schoolers, and this book is beautifully written and adapted for their age. Powerful memoir about being Black and female in America, growing up in mostly white spaces. Examples of authentic friendship, trusted adults at school, the power of watching family discuss politics at home, wearing different masks based on your environment, self-love, allyship, representation, and claiming joy and nourishment. I would recommend this book for any tween or teen.
April 17, 2023
Thank you ACB for writing this book! It moved me and definitely challenged me to knew ideas and ways of thinking and existing in this world, especially as a white woman who runs a mentoring and camping program for youth who've impacted by family violence. This book has helped me see how I can and must step up my game to make our little community one that creates certain belonging for our Black identifying girls and boys.
April 22, 2023
Austin’s gift for storytelling evokes tenderness and humor while simultaneously calling readers of all ages to challenge their assumptions and experiences with racial identity. From awkward teenage years to adulting through grief, “I’m Still Here” presents young readers with accessible entry points to a journey towards discovering themselves in a complicated world of race, class, and all the real-life that they will inevitably confront.
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