Frederick Joseph has given us a gift with this book. A must read.

Additional note: the audiobook (NOT narrated by the author) is excellent and engaging, and I think conveys the author's sense of humor better than the print book does. ...Because while one leading goal of this book is to force white people to confront a lot of our own toxic behavior, Joseph has also interjected a lot of conversational humor, too, to temper the sting. I've seen some reviews criticize Joseph's tone, and I think those reviewers need to examine those feelings. Did I love his bragadocio all the time? No. But that's in no small part because of my own complicated and personal feelings around talking about individual achievements. I think he's intentionally writing this way to force white readers to confront their feelings around a smart Black man owning his confidence. I have soooooo many friends who talk this way, and it's always with a wink and a smirk...you know, like the way a friend would joke around with you. The title suits. Read this book.

The truth hurts, as does all the microaggressions that come with being a person of color. In this case, the Black Friend talks about what it's like to be subject to these stereotypes in casual conversations. It's a painful read, but a necessary one that all generations need to cover.

I actually went and bought a copy of this book after I finished reading it for NetGalley. The topic and the educational opportunity presented is one that I am fully behind. In fact, I wish more people would read it.

And I think we all also need to read it with the understanding that this cannot be the only anti-racism book in our repertoire and library. There are billions of people living on this planet with a multitude of experiences and none of those experiences are monoliths. So, to understand that racism is such a prevalent and prevailing problem within society is incredibly important and, I agree with this author wholly when I say that there are differences among those who experience racism.

This book is an incredibly useful place to start. But please don’t let that be the end of your educational journey on the subject. And if you’ve already read someone else’s book…add this one to your list, too.

Such an excellent book! I tend to think of myself as being in the woke category, but I still feel like I had lots to learn from this. It opened up many conversations with my son, especially on the topic of cultural appropriation, and how draw the line between appreciation and appropriation. I loved how Frederick Joseph discusses being an accomplice rather than just an ally, how one involves action rather than just thoughts and kind words, that inaction almost always favors the oppressors. I think this should be in every young readers hands, and the vast majority of adults as well. Very highly recommended!

Will be added to my library collection as a valuable title on actively being anti-racist. Many students, white and Black, will value this book.

Thank you NetGalley and Candelwick Press for giving me a copy to read in exchange for an honest review. I really appreciate how open and blunt Frederick was in his story. This book is a must read for those in the privileged sphere of the world.

Yes to this book! Yes! Yes! Yes! Everyone should have to read this book, particularly educators. I plan on assigning selections of this work in my teacher training courses as well as integrate some of the work into my composition and rhetoric questions. Extremely well done.

I think a lot of reviewers don't realize that this is a YA nonfiction, aimed at helping younger audiences understand racism and the ways in which they can do better. I even didn't realize it was YA until after the first chapter. It's a broader and simpler look at racism in the world intended for the younger crowds and, for that, it excels perfectly. There's always much to be learned, but the contents of this book are relatively baseline and, if you've done research in the past, the information may be common knowledge for you. But, as I said, there's always room for growth and I still highly recommend everyone pick this up.

I see a lot of reviewers discussing how Joseph doesn't address his male privilege in the book and I completely disagree for so many reasons. The first being, there is a time and place. This book is about his experience and the overall experience of BIPOC, particularly in America. You can't take away his experience as a Black person just because he is a cisgendered Black man. Intersectionality, anyone? My other issue with that argument is that he does address his privilege as a straight man multiple times in the book! And, again, that isn't what the book is set out to do. As he states himself in the book, "Let's not do oppression Olympics.".

Overall, I really appreciated the way in which this book is told. It was funny, accessible, and told in a way that I believe will impact and make changes. I especially appreciated the "Encyclopedia of Racism" in the back along with the lists of things to watch, read, and listen to. I loved it and I would definitely recommend it, especially for younger audiences.

*Thank you to NetGalley and Candlewick Press for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are very much my own.

Using anecdotes from his own life Frederick Joseph asks his reader to examine their own biases and stereotypes of black people and how to literally “be a better white person.” The author speaks directly to the reader and through his pause points in the book it feels more like a conversation than a book. The conversation model also extends through the book as each chapter and topic also features an interview/conversation with an author, activist or publisher figure. Angie Thomas, Jemele Hill and Jamie Hurley are a few of the voices that make up this dynamic text.

I’m actually not sure why I chose to request this book as I am not White, so it was kind of pointless for me but as a person of colour, I related to a lot of what Frederick Joseph includes. So there wasn’t any learning for me, just agreement and relatability.

Reading this, I felt like I was chatting with a friend. The author is hilarious and I laughed out loud more than once. It was a light but very educational read. I related to a lot of what Frederick went through as a kid of being othered and our continuous struggles with white privilege. Obviously our struggles are not equivalent, and I definitely have it much easier but nevertheless BIPOC in the West do not have it easy.

While I wasn’t the expected demographic for this book, I still really enjoyed it and highly recommend it to those who want to do and be better. I really liked the inclusion of an encyclopedia of racism at the back of this book and the interviews. I’m sure others would find this really helpful! I do have to say though it is disappointing that in 2021 books are still being published to teach human beings on respect and humanity. I fully agree it is an important book and I am glad it is written by an incredible author but it is extremely disappointing that this book had to be written. Nonetheless, I also do understand that we’ve all got space to learn and grow so I am fortunate for this book and don't think anyone else could have done a better job.

Will continue to recommend this to friends who want to learn more about how race impacts the daily lives of our Black brothers and sisters, and most importantly on how they can do and be better.

A much needed book for everyone, especially all of the white folks looking to be and do better! This is as much for adults as it is for kids! I'd recommend it for middle school and up. Definitely a book to add to your house and classroom-you'll want many copies because it will get "borrowed" and not returned! The Encyclopedia of Racism at the back is so valuable for kids and those that are just starting their work. Reminder that being an Anti-Racist is a verb....not a noun.

Ibram Kendi’s work is insightful and intuitive, but may be over some peoples’ heads. Stamped by Jason Reynolds is delightful, but may not be the most compelling read for teens. While both of these books are astonishingly good, this book fills a totally different niche. This book is a big brother who comes in, sits down on the couch with you, steals your last pizza roll, and then looks you in the eye and says “bro, I love you. You know that, right? But I have to tell you. You’re a racist asshole. But...but...I’m going to help you to stop that. I want you to be cool and accepting and awesome and I can make that happen. Let’s talk anti-racism, my dude.” This book is what you hand a white teen who wants to be better but can’t handle the more challenging and in-depth texts yet. This is the book you give them to get their journey underway. We need to build new anti-racists—give them this to help them take their first steps.

Frederick Joseph’s The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person is one part memoir, one part guide for Caucasians seeking to become allies — or, in better parlance, accomplices in bringing about equity and racial justice. The work is a bit uneven, although Joseph brings in some celebrity friends to spice things up. However, Joseph’s final chapter provides such a wakeup call with an episode in which one person made a lifetime’s worth of difference; I award the book five stars on that alone. If you read nothing else, please read final chapter, titled “In the End.”

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Candlewick Press in exchange for an honest review.

This book should be required reading for every white person. Not only will I be using it in my classes, I will absolutely be buying copies for relatives for Christmas.

A self proclaimed book for the white people who WANT to do better. If you think that you don't need this book, then you probably need to read this book the most. This is a call to action for white people to not just be allies, but anti-racism accomplices. Joseph writes, "The oppression that white people have inflicted on POC since, well damn, the very inception of this country can only be undone by the oppressors".

In this book, Joseph weaves facts about the systemic racism in this country with personal antidotes from his life. Whenever I pick up an anti-racism book, I need to mentally prepare myself to do some harsh self refection, and to be uncomfortable. This book was full of facts and presented in a friendly way, like it was my black friend telling me about their life. It was a pleasurable read while being powerful and impactful. For our fragile white egos, this is unfortunately a necessary balance.

I will be buying this book for my classroom library in my very diverse school district, as well as suggesting it to all my friends.

Thank you netgalley for this wonderful book!

*Disclaimer* I received a complementary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair/honest review.

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Important context: This book is written for a YA audience, and I am a Black woman. This is important to note, given that some of the purposely low reviews on here from white people are annoying as hell (to put it nicely), and demonstrate that they don’t know how to 1) approach YA books as an adult, and 2) don’t understand how hard it is to essentially plea for humanity in a palatable way.

I loved this book for many reasons, and for-see myself gifting it to young folks. As a Black woman, I’m not the intended audience, so what I got from it is different. It’s always validating (yet disheartening) to see experiences from your past (or even your present) in black and white written by someone else; some things are universal in the Black community in the U.S., and it’s always nice to feel less alone. The “sidebar” sections of commentary give a bit of levity, and I like to think he did it knowing that Black folks would get a kick out of it. I greatly appreciated the corny references to things from our adolescence that make anyone born after 1996 cringe to know were precursors to the wonderful things they now enjoy with ease.

This book is a solid choice for a pre-teen and even early teen. For white ones – it could contribute to the decision of whether or not they allow themselves to become (or continue to be) a racist and problematic young human. As for brown and black pre-teens/teens, the author’s format will give cause to pause about how they allow themselves to be treated and how they might feel later in life when they reflect.

While the author was direct, I personally would’ve been more....heavy handed (but that’s just how I was raised). He maneuvers topics well overall, but the closing of it the book could have had more “oomph.”

With the exception of conversations with other artists/activists such as April Reign, Angie Thomas and Rabia Chaudry, this book is like every other. The interviews are what sets it apart! It is a black friend talking to other friends advising white friends on how to be better. Be more mindful. See color. Pronounce names correctly. Negate stereotypes. Recognize we have similar experiences but treated much differently. If you had to pick just one book on this topic, choose Frederick Joseph's and thank me later!

LiteraryMarie

Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Black Friend.

This is an excellent book for teens (or anyone) who want to learn more about racism and how to be an anti-racist. Written in an easy to read, honest and funny style, Frederick shared stories from his life, interspersed with interviews from various people. He also includes an Encyclopedia of Racism as well as song and book recommendations.

Highly recommend for anyone wanting to be a better ally (or accomplice) as he touches on things so many of us have never experienced or had to think about.

THE BLACK FRIEND: ON BEING A BETTER WHITE PERSON by Frederick Joseph has a colorful, engaging cover and the text is equally open and welcoming. Joseph uses bold typeface for certain words and phrases (e.g., white privilege) and defines them in the reader's "very own Encyclopedia of Racism" in an effort to increase understanding. He acknowledges that the book is "aimed primarily" at white people who want to do better, given "there's a good chance you're not as decent as you think." He favors a humorous, conversational tone, includes stories from his youth, and writes in an accessible, although sometimes strangely opinionated (calling date loaf disgusting?) manner. Joseph has incorporated input from other writers like Angie Thomas (The Hate U Give). And a nice feature of this text is the Appendix: "People and Things to Know" which offers lists of people to know, books to read, and movies or shows to watch. There is also a Black Friend Playlist and helpful source notes. Aimed at middle school readers and older, THE BLACK FRIEND: ON BEING A BETTER WHITE PERSON received starred reviews from Booklist, Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal.

A must read for Everyone! The author explains things so easily and effortlessly even though he’s tired and I get it. The opening letter to his brother was painful, sad and it hurt. The Encyclopedia was funny and apparently according to his publisher important. I read it in one sitting and it was worth it. This book is for all ages, races and genders, we can all learn from it.