Thank you to Netgalley, Ten Speed Press, and the authors (Ibram X. Kendi & Joel Christian Gill) for an advanced excerpt of this book! All opinions are my own. Available as of June 6, 2023. With historical figures as "tour guides," readers explore how racist ideology became ingrained in our systemic institutional structures. The information is provided to audiences without being filtered down and remains accessible. I enjoyed that the art style used a simple palette and helped the content flow. I really loved reading this excerpt and have already reserved a copy from my library! I plan to add the paperback to my collection.

The open pages start with a classroom scene that is dead on. Just flipping through the book it hits many of the points of how racism works. Unlike the weighty adult version, this version fills a gap of helping people understand racism's history. I see this as a companion to the adult version, not a YA or youth version since they are very different. Both deserve places on your bookshelf.

Thanks to Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press, and NetGalley for an excerpt of Stamped from the Beginning - A Graphic History of Racist Ideas in America.

Even though I was only able to read the first 70 or so pages of this graphic novel, it was absolutely PACKED with history and facts that explain how America got to where it is today in terms of racism. Although this is a very serious topic, Kendi added some levity by interjecting modern slang periodically. Gill's illustrations are brilliant. He and Ibram X. Kendi worked so well together to bring readers an amazing and powerful book. I can't wait to read the full book when it hits shelves this week! I would recommend this for upper elementary and high school students due to the level of vocabulary and the depth of content.

Personal rating:
4.5🌟, rounded up to 5🌟

How I wish I received the full version of this book. I enjoyed my time reading this so very much, in case it's not clear. Best believe I'll be on the lookout for the finished version as soon as it comes out :>

I should say that I have yet to read the original, non-graphic version but rest assured, it has been added in my tbr list—quite awhile ago, in fact. This version made the information so very easy to be digested, which is key because there are a lot of it, even in this abridged version of the galley.

The graphic is neat and easy on the eye. It suits this type of book very well, imo. I like the AAVE slang smattered throughout the dialogues as well. Helps to lighten up the atmosphere and not make it feel too-much-like-a-history-textbook kinda situation.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with a free digital copy of this in exchange for an honest review.

“All men are created equal, but some restrictions may apply”

In this graphic interpretation of Ibram X Kendi’s Stamped From The Beginning, Gill illustrates the impact of racism and take a look at it throughout history. This version of the book could easily be a favorite of young reader due to its accessibility and ease of reading.

Every iteration of this book is exceptional, but I think that putting it into a graphic novel format was a great idea. It makes it accessible to people of all ages who want to read about this content and educate themselves about the racist history of America but don't have the ability or time to read a full-length text-based novel. Kendi doesn't hold back -- he trusts that young people and adults alike are able to understand the content while still being respectful of their limitations. There is no sense of being talked down to in this, just an honesty and accountability that every reader, especially younger ones, will definitely appreciate.
I only wish I could have gotten to read the whole thing instead of an excerpt, but I'm thrilled that I got to read even a little bit of this.

I guess I could see the appeanof this book but its not one that would be added to my classroom or personal library.

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “Stamped From the Beginning (EXCERPT) by Ibram X. and Joel Christian Gill

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Inspired by Ibram X's novel of the same name, Joel Christian Gill creates a graphic novel interpretation that explores the controversial history of racism, how it came about, and the harmful impact racism has had on people and decision making throughout history. While I was only given an excerpt of the book, I can definitely say with certainty that Mr.Gill does and excellent job of fleshing out Mr. X's work in graphic ethnographic form. Books like this are important to read because if we don't learn from history and why certain things throughout history are deemed harmful, history is bound to repeat itself. Some people might think this book is "uncomfortable", but sometimes, you need to witness the discomforts of the world to truly understand the problems of the world. The more we understand history from all perspectives, the more we slowly, but surely, build a better foundation for the next generation.

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Trigger Warnings: Racism, Slavery, Micro Agressions, Systematic Racism, and Oppression.

Wow - I’m REALLY impressed!! This abridged offering (about 70 pages) is packed with facts surrounding the founding of American views on racism and all is spawned (slavery, disenfranchisement, etc). It outlines the actors, schools of thought, and the political and economic climates of the times to step the reader piece together the makings of America and the systems that oppressed so many for so long.

The graphic format does not diminish the offering – great for the young and old, and everyone in between. Bravo on the structure/layout, content, and delivery of some difficult and complex topics. It clearly illustrates how racist thoughts and theories were propagated in multiple institutions - collegiate, religious, and legal. - and how greed/profit ensured its perpetuity and continued evolution to even deeper deplorable levels.

I pre-ordered copies of the final so I can complete the offering and retain it on my personal shelf as well as gift to middle-grade relatives.

Thanks to Ten Speed Press and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

This is a nonfiction graphic novel adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's <i>Stamped from the Beginning</i> books. I had previously read the young reader's edition of <i>Stamped</i>and found it be remarkably illuminating and well articulated.

Due to file size limitations, I was only able to review about 20% of the entire graphic novel, so my review is limited to that portion. The book is structured into five primary parts, each built around the life of an historically significant individual--Cotton Mather; Thomas Jefferson; William Lloyd Garrison; W. E. B. Du Bois; and Angela Davis. I was able to view the introduction, the content about Cotton Mather, and a few pages about Jefferson.

Things I liked:
- the concept--this adaptation will broaden the audience beyond the readers of the other preexisting books
- the artwork & design is amazing. Wow!
- an additional way to absorb the messages and information presented previously solely via text

Things I found problematic:
- at times, some panels seemed to lack sufficient context (previously laid groundwork) to me, and I found myself struggling to make sense of the message
- in some panels, the presentation seemed out of chronological sequence, which slowed down my pacing. (These weren't flashback type scenes).
- while visual throughout, many panels contained an excessive amount of text to digest and comprehend

I'm not sure what the age recommendation is for this publication, but based on my preview and getting input from my teen, I would think high schoolers would the minimum age recommendation.

I look forward to viewing the graphic novel in its entirety upon its publication.

Thanks to NetGalley and Clarkson Potter/Ten Speed Press for the ARC e-book copy. Publication date is Jun 6, 2023.

The history here is good. The commentary got some of my high school kids to comment or question. That said, it's not a cover to cover read, but is perfect for excerpting in a history classroom. I plan to explore some political cartoons from the time period to juxtapose with this current graphic take as well.

I am a huge fan of the original Stamped, the Remix with Jason Reynolds, and the audiobook. I am graphic novel fanatic. So when I heard that two of my like were going to be combined, I jumped at the chance to be a reviewer.

Alas, like bacon and ice cream, two likes added together do not always mean a new like. There was something about portions of the graphic novel version that just did not work for me. The beginning frame story contains uncomfortable truths about white women, but I fear that opening the story in this manner will discourage the purchase or adoption of the story as school libraries and classrooms are still predominantly staffed by white women. The text begins with an accusatory teacher spewing problematic things who is called out by a student who sounds much like Michelle Alexander’s The New Jim Crow.

The text improves once we meet our historical tour guides. The book is beautifully illustrated, especially the page depicting Till, Taylor and Floyd. The text discusses assimilationist pop culture figures. A downside is that the use of modern slang and colloquialisms by historical figures, especially colonists, seems a bit of pandering or too forced.

I am not sure that all portions of the graphic novel would be clear to someone without the background in one of the other variations of the text. Since I have read them, that is a non-issue for me, but I wonder if the same would be true for someone who hadn’t. At times, the illustrations looked like Sketchnoting of ideas while reading the original text.

This would not be the first choice I’d recommend of this text or topic, nor would I offer this as a substitution for the original version. Instead, I envision it as an addition. Thank you NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for the opportunity to view this advanced excerpt.

I cannot wait to read the rest of this! The introduction is a tantalizing glimpse of an engagingly and accessibly written history for young readers that is both direct and nuanced in its treatment of difficult subject material.

I haven't read Stamped before but I loved this excerpt introduction! Can't wait for the graphic novel to be published so I can read it in its entirety!

This book is an accessible and engaging way for students to read about a heavy topic. The graphic edition of Stamped gives excellent explanations about concepts and ideas that informed racist policies throughout American history. It uses dialogue, modern slang, and historical figures like Thomas Jefferson and W. E. B. Du Bois acting as the book’s “tour guides.” It's illuminating and informative, in a format that kids are more likely to pick up and read.

Stamped, in all its iterations, has become such an important text over the last few years. The graphic novel edition is no exception. The illustrations are clever and easy to follow. This adaptation will no doubt draw in more readers who need to learn everything Kendi has to share.

The original version of this book was one I'd intended on reading when it was first published. Although I have not gotten around to reading the original it was a true pleasure to read this excerpt from the upcoming graphic novel. Although it was tough history to swallow this graphic novel was well created, and packed full of information. Even with this being an excerpt i learned a lot about our history.

Thank you to NetGalley and Ten Speed Press for letting me read an excerpt from STAMPED in exchange for an honest review.

I have not read the original publication of Stamped from the Beginning, but I now have a clear view of what it is about. I loved how things were explained with graphics and the language used also wasn't very difficult to follow.
I highly recommend this book, especially for schools and anyone wanting to educate themselves on the history of slavery in the U.S..

Can't wait to read the full book once it comes out.

Excellent book. Still a bit old for my 3rd-5th graders, so I will not be purchasing for this school library, but I will 100% recommend to the middle school library.

The content is very well handled, the art is great, and it is a great adaptation into this format.

Recommended for 6th Grade +.

In the same line as other Stamped from the Beginning versions, this provides an illustrated version of the history of slavery, the negative connotation of being Black and where many stereotypes drive from. Its content is as significant and essential as the other versions, but this provides a visually appealing version to grab an audience who appreciates or better learns from visuals. The illustrations are enjoyable and comprehensible. Overall, it is a great way to continue to spread the Stamped from the Beginning message.