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Ibram X. Kendi, the founding director of Boston University’s Center for Antiracist Research, adapted Barracoon for young readers. He is the author of the award-winning books Stamped and How to Be an Anti-Racist, and he released adapted versions of both for young readers.

Was it hard to adapt Barracoon? It was challenging because I wanted to convey the reality of Cudjo’s life, but I had to make the violence he endured not too scary. I also wanted to bring Cudjo’s language to young readers while also keeping the book simple to read. As I made changes, I thought about my 7-year-old daughter, and I shared the story with her as I worked on it. How long did it take? It was quite the process! Between the research I did for the introduction, completing a first draft, and making edits, it took at least a year. How can kids celebrate Black History Month in February? I would suggest that kids do research about Black people who have contributed in meaningful ways to their town…

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The Week Junior US (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue 198

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