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    Brendan Kiely’s The Other Talk is thought provoking

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    By Jessica on October 20, 2021 YA review, young adult
    The Other TalkTHE OTHER TALK: RECKONING WITH OUR WHITE PRIVILEGE, by Brendan Kiely and introduction by Jason Reynolds, Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, Sept. 21, 2021, Hardcover, $18.99 (young adult)

    Author Brendan Kiely starts a conversation with white kids about race in The Other Talk: Reckoning with Out White Privilege.

    Talking about racism can be hard, but…

    Most kids of color grow up talking about racism. They have “The Talk” with their families—the honest talk about survival in a racist world.

    But white kids don’t. They’re barely spoken to about race at all — and that needs to change. Because not talking about racism doesn’t make it go away. Not talking about white privilege doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.

    The Other Talk begins this much-needed conversation for white kids. In an instantly relatable and deeply honest account of his own life, Brendan Kiely offers young readers a way to understand one’s own white privilege and why allyship is so vital, so that we can all start doing our part — today. —Synopsis provided by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books

    The Other Talk is an uncomfortable read, and rightly so. It helps white readers reframe their experiences and question outcomes.

    The book could easily come across as preachy or pushy, but it doesn’t. Rather, author Brendan Kiely compares instances from his own life with those of color. The differences are stark and eye opening.

    Kiely’s writing is conversational and inviting. He asks lots of questions. He gives readers room to think and grow. Kiely makes it clear he’s not an expert on race, racism and white privilege, and that’s OK. Sometimes following someone else’s progress is exactly what you need to start your own.

    The Other Talk is a great resource for teens, but it’s also applicable to adults. It’s a book that sticks with you, and I found myself reframing conversations with my 7-year-old because of it.

     

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    Jessica
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    Jessica Harrison is the reviewer behind Cracking the Cover. She loves books and worked as the in-house book critic at a daily newspaper, writing reviews and interviewing authors for two years. When the company cut back, she lost her position covering books, but that doesn't mean she stopped reading. If anything, the whole experience made her more passionate about reading and giving people the tools to make informed decisions in their own book choices. She has been featured on NetGalley's Blogger Spotlight and is on Kindleprenuer's Ultimate List of the Best Book Review Blogs. Contact her at jessica(at)crackingthecover(dot)com and follow Cracking the Cover on Bluesky, Instagram,  Facebook and Twitter (X) @crackingthecovr. You can also read scaled down reviews on Jessica's Goodreads review page. Jessica is also a reviewer on Amazon.

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