Reviews

A History of Me by Adrea Theodore

bibliobrandie's review

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5.0

An empowering picture book/poem that explores the author's feelings about being "the only brown person in class" and how that felt when they studied enslavement and the Civil Rights Movement. In the authors note she writes about how her experiences in school and the history of her family are intertwined with the history of Black Americans. This picture book address pride and identity among Black and Brown children in mostly white environments and ends with the author telling her own daughter to feel pride instead of shame. Beautiful illustrations accompany the author's words.

missprint_'s review

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5.0

Fantastic. Gorgeous art and great message.

circleofreadersdruid's review

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5.0

Distinctive art paired with a distinctive voice. This book doesn’t hold back, and the descriptions of feeling like an outsider because of skin color are especially traumatic. It shows how important unbiased history classes and CRT are. I adored the positivity and love radiating from the mom telling this story and I hope all the kids who read it get that good feel in their heart when they see that last illustration with the daughter looking at herself in the mirror and seeing her ancestors reflected back. “I hope  she will see that she is free to be anything she wants to be.”

pib003's review

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5.0

Gorgeous and so important. I want this book in the hands of so many teachers.

nikki_lit's review

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challenging emotional hopeful reflective sad slow-paced

5.0

readingthroughtheages's review

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5.0

A must have, a must share and read aloud book.

heisereads's review

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5.0

Phenomenal!
Pair with Your Legacy: A Bold Reclaiming of Our Enslaved History & Standing on Her Shoulders.

panda_incognito's review

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5.0

This book is incredibly powerful, with stunning illustrations and a meaningful message that comes across as heartfelt and never preachy.

tcbueti's review

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5.0

Powerful description of growing up as the only brown person in a classroom (a là New Kid) as noticing how nothing about enslaved people was ever praised or celebrated. (Made me think of the Legacy Quilt https://www.mofad.org/the-legacy-quilt. Actually the whole exhibit.)
Celebrate whoever you are, remember and honor your family’s past. Gorgeous illustrations.

agudenburr's review

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5.0

This book needs to be in every classroom! Shows the experiences of being the only African American in the classroom while learning American history about slavery and civil rights. The girl in the story wants to be thankful for the opportunity to learn but also doesn't want to be bullied. So important to read right now especially with groups trying to ban critical race theory in classrooms.