ashylibrarian's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
This is a powerfully adapted version of the New York Times bestselling book I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness. Author Austin Channing Brown recounts her experiences with race in America, something that started when she was just seven (7) years old.
The topics covered in this book are important and heavy, and Channing Brown approaches them all in a way that is understandable and accessible for young readers. She does not shy away from the inequities that she has faced, balancing them nicely with affirmations and words of encouragement for the readers.
This is a raw, powerful, and moving nonfiction memoir that has something for all readers. Very suitable for junior high readers.
readingrainbill's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
mcc1246's review against another edition
5.0
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
bruhnette's review
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
4.5
While Black girls and teens are the target audience for I'm Still Here (Adapted for Young Readers), it's definitely appropriate for Black boys/teens as well. I will be pressing it into the hands of both of my children (boy, age 13 and girl, age 14). I think the book has a lot to offer white kids, too. Brown's stories give kids a safe space to explore race, have their experiences echoed, their feelings validated, and their questions answered. The author shares many stories of her own childhood with readers and they are very relatable. This book is a must-have for classrooms as well as home and public libraries!
Thank you to Convergent Books and NetGalley for a review copy.
Thank you to Convergent Books and NetGalley for a review copy.
lindseykboyd's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
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.”
rootedreader's review
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
fast-paced
4.0
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.