Let's Talk About Race-Picture Book # 26

Author: Julius Lester
Title: Let's Talk About Race
Illustrator: Karen Barbour
Readability Score: 4.5
Theme: race is just a part of us, but it doesn't define us
Genre: Non-Fiction
Sub genre: Diversity
Primary and secondary characters: none in particular
Awards: Newbery Award Winner
Publishing Company: Kulius Lester
Date of Publication: 2009
ISBN: 9780060285968
Summary: This book is about introducing race to the audience. The writer tells his own story that will engage children about him. He talks about his hobbies, foods he likes to eat, and then he adds in that he is black. Throughout the story he writes questions that students can answer. This creates the discussions and thought processes about who the reader is as a person. It also talks about how judgement and prejudices seem as if we are comparing ourselves to other people and viewing ourselves as better. He writes deep sentences such as,"Beneath everyone's skin are the same hard bones." He says to view ourselves without skin and we would all be the same. The main question he asks us is if race is just a portion of our stories, then why do we or people in general think it is so important?

This book is straight on when it talks about diversity. Race in general is a part of diversity and when students are in school they can learn about one another. Many have the same hobbies, likes of favorite food, sense of humor, and personality about them that makes it better to connect with other people. Race is just a part of who a person is and students can really understand that throughout this book and see it in a different light. I would do a book club talk about this book and see how students relate to one another in diverse group settings. Even students who grow up not thinking outside of the box of prejudices can see that this book means well and we can all benefit and learn from it.