This Book Is Anti-Racist
Tiffany Jewell
This Book Is Anti-Racist
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
20 lessons on how to wake up, take action, and do the work
by Tiffany Jewell
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Hear the buzz of whispered words and feel the weight of history in your hands as you explore the colors and stories that shape who we are. Imagine discovering the roots of unfairness and finding the strength to stand up and change the world around you. This journey awakens your own power to make kindness and fairness real for everyone.
Quick Assessment
This book offers an age-appropriate, thoughtful introduction to the concepts of race, racism, and social identity for children ages 9-12. It combines historical context with personal reflection and practical activities to empower young readers to understand and challenge racism. The content is presented sensitively, with inclusive language and supportive lessons designed to foster empathy and social awareness.
Why we rated This Book Is Anti-Racist 9ME
This Book Is Anti-Racist is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 163 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This Book Is Anti-Racist works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate This Book Is Anti-Racist as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, This Book Is Anti-Racist explores multicultural, social justice, coming of age, friendship, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about multicultural, social justice, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
What's racism?
Amy B. Rogers
What's racism?
Amy B. Rogers
Everyday Acts Against Racism
Maureen T. Reddy
Everyday Acts Against Racism
Maureen T. Reddy
Rise Up!
Crystal Fleming
Rise Up!
Crystal Fleming
Racism (History of Issues)
Morgan M. Medlock, Derri Shtasel, Nhi-Ha T. Trinh, David R. Williams
Racism (History of Issues)
Morgan M. Medlock, Derri Shtasel, Nhi-Ha T. Trinh, David R. Williams
Antiracist Baby Picture Book
Ibram X. Kendi
Antiracist Baby Picture Book
Ibram X. Kendi
Social Justice
Carol Wekesser
Social Justice
Carol Wekesser
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780711251663
- Pages
- 163
- Publisher
- Frances Lincoln Children's Books
- Published
- 2020-01-07
- Type
- Fiction