Let's Talk About Race

By Julius Lester and Karen Barbour

"This wonderful book should be a first choice for all collections and is strongly recommended as a springboard for discussions about differences.” —School Library Journal (starred review)

In this acclaimed book, the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. A strong choice for sharing at home or in the classroom.

Karen Barbour's dramatic, vibrant paintings speak to the heart of Lester's unique vision, truly a celebration of all of us. "This stunning picture book introduces race as just one of many chapters in a person's story" (School Library Journal). "Lester's poignant picture book helps children learn, grow, discuss, and begin to create a future that resolves differences" (Children's Literature).

Julius Lester said: "I write because our lives are stories. If enough of these stories are told, then perhaps we will begin to see that our lives are the same story. The differences are merely in the details."

I am a story. So are you. So is everyone.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: Jul 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062200419

Julius Lester

Julius Lester is the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave, the Caldecott Honor Book John Henry, the National Book Award finalist The Long Journey Home: Stories from Black History, and the Coretta Scott King Award winner Day of Tears. He is also a National Book Critics Circle nominee and a recipient of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award. His most recent picture book, Let's Talk About Race, was named to the New York Public Library's "One Hundred Titles for Reading and Sharing." In addition to his critically acclaimed writing career, Mr. Lester has distinguished himself as a civil rights activist, musician, photographer, radio talk-show host, and professor. For thirty-two years he taught at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. He lives in western Massachusetts.

Book preview

Reviews for Let's Talk About Race

[zoes_human · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A great introduction to a big topic for young readers. The central concept is that everyone has a story. the book is loaded with questions which make it great for interactive reading. Bright eye-catching art.Picture Book Non-fictionGrades: PreK - 4Ages: 4 - 15Themes: prejudice & racism, emotions & feelingsDDC: 305.800973

[catherineparry · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This nonfiction book tackles the topic of race in a positive, kid-friendly way. Media: oil pastels, acrylic

[yyoon4 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I absolutely loved this book. The main message of this story is that beneath our skin, we all look alike; there is no need to argue which race is better than the other. Instead, what matters is who we are by what is not seen on the outside. The message is my favorite part of this book. It helps readers to think about the tough issues of race and prejudice. I think “Let's Talk About Race” is a marvelous book that comfortably and naturally helps readers accept others who do not look like themselves, and broaden their perspectives on acceptance. What I found most profound was the way the author talks to readers himself, and helps them understand himself and others at a well-developed pace. For example, the author uses a first-person point of view to help readers feel personal with him. Almost like a conversation. The author starts off with introducing that we all have a story that is alike. “I am a story. So are you. So is everyone. My story begins the same way yours does: I was born on _______. Take me, for example. I was born on January 27, 1939.” The story goes on to asking what race the reader is, to introducing all kinds of races, to why people are prejudiced, then to specific parts of the human body. Another great feature of this book is that the author asks questions to readers such as, “How does your story begin?” and “I'll take off my skin. Will you take off yours?” I will definitely be using this book for my future classroom. “I am so, so, so many things besides my race.”“I'll take off my skin. Will you take off yours?”

[squeakychu · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a lovely, colorful book that tells how we are all alike. It should encourage any child to think about who a person is rather than what he or she looks like before judging that person's character.

[tammie14-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

For the most part I really enjoyed “Let’s Talk about Race”. The only reason I gave it four stars instead of five is at times I found the writing to be a little boring. I like how Lester points out our differences as humans, yet at are core we are all the same. A quote that illustrates how we are all the same is, “Beneath everyone’s skin are the same old bones.” I also like how Lester addresses how people think their race, culture, gender, etc. is superior to another, but they “are telling a story that is not true”. I also like how Lester uses the analogy that we are all a story, but our race is just one part of our story. The big message of this book is simple. It is only when we allow ourselves to delve deeper into each other's character, asking questions about mutual likes and dislikes, about where we were born and the pictures formed by our own personal histories, that we can begin to truly know each other.

[msittig-1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Julius Lester writes this book because all of our lives are different. There are many things about somebody that makes them unique. Not everyone is the same. This book will have readers understand why no one is alike or the same person. The beautiful paintings on each page brings together the uniqueness of the story.

[michelleraphael · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A story about a regular person, who happens to be black. The whole book is about how we are all alike, even if we look different. Filled with very colorful and interesting illustrations.

[lnpowers_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I liked this approach to race in that is puts it out there and tells kids that we are all the same in many ways. Some people like pancakes or macaroni and cheese and we are the same in that matter even if we are different in the color of our skin.This book could be used in a program to teach children how to look at the world in a multicultural way.

[josedelaguila_1 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

The author introduces the concept of race as only one component in an individual's or nation's "story."