The Talk

Starred review from August 1, 2020
Grades 5-8 *Starred Review* For some, The Talk is a form of insuring life and survival. For others, it's facing the reality of the covert ways that their worth is diminished and even trivialized. Still, there are those for whom The Talk is a harrowing realization of the systems of oppression from which they benefit. In this collection of short stories, letters, and poems, the defining factor of The Talk is race and racial identity. From letters affirming the beauty of being bilingual, to preparing young Black children for encounters with the police, and even a perspective shift on criminalization of certain peoples by way of Greek mythology, there are hard lessons that this collection takes on with a spirit of loving urgency. Contributors include children's authors such as Grace Lin, Duncan Tonatiuh, and Christopher Myers, among others, spanning a range of diverse racial backgrounds and vantage points as they address young people about the weight and severity of racial inequities in the U.S. Black-and-white illustrations from various contributors offer a range of stylistic approaches that renders each entry as distinct from the others as the experiences that are shared. Though readers of color may find a number of these entries far too familiar, there is striking versatility in the approaches, cultures, and experiences of the authors that will compel readers of all backgrounds to continue forward.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2020, American Library Association.)

August 28, 2020

Gr 5 Up-There comes a time when parents and caregivers have to give "The Talk" to children. "The Talk" can be about sexual orientation, racism, or gender and/or racial identity. Children can ask complex questions, which can cause adults to pause. Adults wonder, "How do I begin to answer?" This collection of poetry and prose, which focuses on race, offers a great starting point. With contributions from writers including Derrick Barnes, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Nikki Grimes, Grace Lin, Meg Medina, Christopher Myers, and Ren�e Watson, the text answers tough questions and shares the struggles of marginalized people, who are forced to navigate hostile environments. Black, Native, and immigrant experiences are spotlighted. For example, in "Why Are There Racist People?" by Duncan Tonatiuh, a student asks, "Where does racism come from?" This question leads Tonatiuh on a search to find the answer. Tonatiuh concludes that racism is a tool used to prevent unity and exploit marginalized groups. This title can be a tool for teachers, educators, and caretakers to center the intersectional struggles of diverse racial and ethnic groups, and the use of poetry and prose offers multiple ways to interact and engage with the text. VERDICT A heartfelt collection that speaks to the multifaceted and nuanced struggles of marginalized people. Recommended for public and school libraries.-Ruth Guerrier-Pierre, New York Public Library

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from October 5, 2020
“There are myriad versions of ‘The Talk’ because there are myriad ways to be human,” reads the Hudsons’ (We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices) foreword to this richly inclusive volume. Here, the pioneer founders of Just Us Books present a riveting collection of 17 candid discussions on racism, identity, and self-esteem by 30 Black, Indigenous, and other children’s book creators of color. A wide variety of storytelling modes—poetry, essays, lists, letters, “comix frames”—move each conversation forward in an engaging manner. In “Remember This,” Renée Watson, with illustrations by Shadra Strickland, offers powerful affirmations to Black girls on how to “love the kink of your hair, the width of your hips, and the brown of your skin.” In “Not a China Doll,” Grace Lin explains stereotypes about East Asian women and advises resistance in a heartwarming illustrated letter to her daughter. Through contributors’ personal experiences with systemic issues, readers will recognize the necessity of having open dialogue with loved ones. A compelling call to action for readers of any background to initiate ongoing conversations about change. Final art not seen by PW. Ages 10–up.

July 1, 2020
In the African American community, parents and caregivers engage their children in conversations aimed at helping them cope with racism and discrimination in a society that fails to respect their heritage, ethnicity, and race. This pervasively practiced ritual is called "The Talk." The Hudsons (We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, rev. 11/18) here widen the scope to include other perspectives, including Latinx, Native American, and Asian American voices. In this honest yet inspirational and hopeful collection of seventeen works, including "letters, lists, poems, short stories, and essays" and art, thirty authors and illustrators share their experiences navigating the daunting challenges of preparing and protecting their children in a racist world. The diverse voices offer guidance on how to respond to stereotypical labeling and microaggressions, explore how and why racism exists, affirm self-worth and pride, and extol cultural identity. Each entry is illustrated with art that expands its message and theme. Accompanied by Erin K. Robinson's Madonna-and-child-esque portrait of comfort, a poem by Nikki Grimes explores the feelings of a child who is called the n-word �NB: the word is spelled out in the text] by a friend's father. In Tracey Baptiste's story "Ten," a Black mother gives her son ten pointers for surviving their routine traffic stop: "doing all of the things you need to so you can get back �home to family]"; April Harrison's evocative double-page image of their hands in full view on the dashboard speaks to a reality of life and reiterates the relevance of the volume's purpose. A well-conceived anthology that provides much-needed enlightenment and opportunity for both reflection and discussion. Back matter unseen.

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

September 1, 2020
In the African American community, parents and caregivers engage their children in conversations aimed at helping them cope with racism and discrimination in a society that fails to respect their heritage, ethnicity, and race. This pervasively practiced ritual is called "The Talk." The Hudsons (We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices, rev. 11/18) here widen the scope to include other perspectives, including Latinx, Native American, and Asian American voices. In this honest yet inspirational and hopeful collection of seventeen works, including "letters, lists, poems, short stories, and essays" and art, thirty authors and illustrators share their experiences navigating the daunting challenges of preparing and protecting their children in a racist world. The diverse voices offer guidance on how to respond to stereotypical labeling and microaggressions, explore how and why racism exists, affirm self-worth and pride, and extol cultural identity. Each entry is illustrated with art that expands its message and theme. Accompanied by Erin K. Robinson's Madonna-and-child-esque portrait of comfort, a poem by Nikki Grimes explores the feelings of a child who is called the n-word [NB: the word is spelled out in the text] by a friend's father. In Tracey Baptiste's story "Ten," a Black mother gives her son ten pointers for surviving their routine traffic stop: "doing all of the things you need to so you can get back [home to family]"; April Harrison's evocative double-page image of their hands in full view on the dashboard speaks to a reality of life and reiterates the relevance of the volume's purpose. A well-conceived anthology that provides much-needed enlightenment and opportunity for both reflection and discussion. Back matter unseen. Pauletta Brown Bracy

(Copyright 2020 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

Starred review from July 15, 2020
This star-studded collection of #ownvoices authors calls readers in for necessary reminders in service of everyday actions that we must pursue to cultivate real change. This collection is right on time. As many people reach for undifferentiated anti-racist reading lists to catch up to the Black-led front lines of today's social movements, the Hudsons take an approach for young readers that emphasizes intergenerational relationships, familial intimacy, and intersectional justice. These are "real conversations," both in that many of them draw from true personal experiences and also in the sense that they revel in depth and substance. The editors put it this way: "With advice and love, harsh realities and encouraging words, the talks offered in this anthology...embrace honest ways of thinking that help expand ourselves and others in a complex and diverse society." Each contribution has its own unique viewpoint paired with arresting grayscale illustrations; together they take on a diversity of forms including prose, poems, and comics. Race plays a central role, yet the conversations expand beyond a Black-White binary to be inclusive of Asian, Latinx, and Native experiences as well. An all-star list of authors and illustrators appears throughout the pages--an embarrassment of literary riches. Backmatter includes explanatory notes from some of the authors, and biographical notes on all the contributors. It's a perfect sequel to the Hudsons' critically acclaimed collection We Rise, We Resist, We Raise Our Voices (2018). The ingredients are all here. May this magnificent collection inspire us to move from dialogue to deep action. (backmatter) (Anthology. 10-adult)

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