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A book to show my 10 year old DD that racism exists

30 replies

Ohgoodness34 · 07/06/2020 09:35

Apologies in advance if my words are clunky here:

Recent events have made me realise that although we’ve always been very clear with 10 year old DD that everyone in this world is (should be treated as) equal, we need to start talking more about the fact that racism and inequality/disadvantage exists and should be more active in educating her in this area.

We watch and discuss the news (she also gets The Week Junior) but we need to start focusing more on what it’s like to be a person of colour who is not treated equally and who experiences racism and our role (hers too) in actively stamping out racism.

She read When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit and loved it, so we’ve discussed the persecution of jews in the war in an age appropriate way.

Looking for recommendations of children’s books to get the message across that it’s not enough to “not be racist”, but that we need to be active. That people of colour and minorities (not only black) are disadvantaged and what it’s like for them.

Ideally from a child’s perspective. Suitable for 10-12 years.

Any recommendations? Nothing so heavy that it puts her off reading it, so an enjoyable story with a thread or element of the subject.

So conscious that I may have phrased this badly, which is not my intention but hopefully this being the book thread you’ll go easy on me.

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YounghillKang · 07/06/2020 14:16

Might look at a classic like Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor, won a Newberry Award and the narrator is a nine-year-old African American girl. Also saw it included on a list for young readers and recommended by a 10-year-old – although they got the date it’s set wrong!

www.readbrightly.com/classics-8-to-12-year-olds-say-are-worth-reading-today/

This list on Goodreads includes books for pre-teens

www.goodreads.com/list/show/21184.Best_Novels_on_Racism_and_Discrimination

YounghillKang · 07/06/2020 14:18

See you were looking for general recommendations might also look at
Number the Stars by Lois Lowry, has a 10-year-old girl at its centre, tells the story of how Denmark saved its Jewish citizens during WW2 but is very sensitively told, and quite upbeat.

bluebluezoo · 07/06/2020 14:24

Some interesting, if older films/books are Beko and The Power of One. I watched them at your dd’s age and they really made an impact..

As an adult Beko in particular- a story about a black man ultimately becomes about a white journalist. Good discussion for Hollywood’s use of race.

That and the fact there are what, 3 actors in regular work in mainstream films, Morgan Freeman, Denzel Washington and Samuel L Jackson....

TwoBlueFish · 07/06/2020 14:26

Refugee Boy is one that really resonated with my son at that age.

HouseOfEdwards · 07/06/2020 14:29

Noughts and Crosses is on iPlayer which is very interesting to watch as there is so much to notice that people who have grown up white probably haven't ever thought about. Eg in Nought and Crosses the white women all curl their hair as it's aspirational. And the white men wear African inspired clothing.

There is multicultural section on Mighty Girl.

https://www.amightygirl.com/books/fiction/multicultural-fiction]]

1vandal2 · 07/06/2020 14:33

I second noughts and crosses just the book series. Think the tv adaptation is too adult

Deathraystare · 10/06/2020 17:32

I suppose The Help. I cannot remember when I read it if it alludes to the segregation in restaurants.

I remember my Dad telling me about apartheid in South Africa and being really shocked. Then I saw some news reels and read about the stuff that went on in America. Also reading about the Blues and Jazz musicians and what they went through.

bookmum08 · 10/06/2020 18:06

Iggie's House by Judy Blume. All about a black family moving into a white neighborhood. Published in 1970 but modern editions don't really make it obvious it's 'set' in that era so you might need to point that out.

BarbaraofSeville · 11/06/2020 16:27

The Help has a lot of detail about segregation and how lives were different for people of different races in the US at the time, eg how many maids were mistrusted and assumed to have stolen things if their employer couldn't find them, they were only allowed to use specific toilets, that sort of thing.

I can't remember if it is suitable for a 10 YO, reading difficulty, whether there are any sexual references or what the language is like though.

The book 'Nothing to Envy' is good for learning about the hardships suffered by people in North Korea, but again, I can't remember if it is suitable for a 10 YO.

dementedma · 17/06/2020 19:19

Was going to suggest When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit, but see you already have that covered. Is “The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas” too grim? Not really colour, but anti-Semitic.

Ohgoodness34 · 18/06/2020 21:14

Thanks all. Lots of good ideas I will look at.
Ideally I’d like her to read something set in current times to really help her to understand that it’s still happening now and it’s something we all have to take responsibility for.

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AndNoneForGretchenWieners · 18/06/2020 21:24

I read To Kill A Mockingbird at that age, but it may be too adult themed depending on how mature her reading tastes are. I'm not a good judge of appropriate reading material for ages because nothing was ever censored when I was growing up and I had the family bookcase in my room (lots of Catherine Cookson, Virginia Andrews, Leslie Thomas and so on).

Allington · 21/06/2020 08:49

The Hate U Give is good, but maybe a bit older than 10 - it depends on the 10 year old...

mamabluestar · 26/06/2020 20:20

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1510105018/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_5NK9Eb94FQEAA?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Sorry I'm no good at doing links, but this might be worth having a look at

Latenightreader · 26/06/2020 20:30

Journey to Jo'burg is set in apartheid era South Africa and is a slim book but spot on for a ten year old. All Beverly Naidoo's books are good. I suppose it might be a bit 'happening elsewhere'.

Geraldine Kaye wrote an excellent pair of books 'Comfort Herself' and 'Great Comfort' about a girl with a white mother and Ghanaian father who she reconnects with after her mother dies. She lives with her white grandparents in a small village and subtle racism is definitely a theme. Terrific books - I still reread them!

reallyneedmoresleep · 26/06/2020 20:32

Bit dated now but The Trouble with Donovan Croft is excellent

CountFosco · 29/06/2020 10:17

DD1 watched film of 'The Help' at school in Y7 aged 11 so I would say the film is OK for a 10yo. There's no sex but I think in the book at least there's violence.

sleepyhead · 29/06/2020 10:20

What is Race? Who are Racists? Why Does Skin Colour Matter? And Other Big Questions

www.amazon.co.uk/Racists-Colour-Matter-Other-Questions/dp/1526303981?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 29/06/2020 10:26

Come a Stranger, by Cynthia Voight (it is part of a series, but it's a parallel story so can be read on its own).

houseRefurb · 29/06/2020 20:16

OP, I know you asked for book recommendations; but, we have been watching with 9 yr old DD , this series on Channel 4 called
"The school that tried to end racism",

www.channel4.com/programmes/the-school-that-tried-to-end-racism

She reads Week Junior and such and so had some degree of awareness. This series is proving to be a useful way to discuss various aspects and as it is set in a school setting, it seems to appeal a bit more

carolannduffycheerup · 30/06/2020 01:27

Lies We Tell Ourselves is excellent

Ohgoodness34 · 30/06/2020 10:52

Thank you all for your brilliant suggestions.

I’m looking into all of them.

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Ohgoodness34 · 10/07/2020 11:22

@houseRefurb thanks for the recommendation.. we watched it and it was a great starting point for discussion. She really got a lot out if it and I did too.

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PerditaProvokesEnmity · 10/07/2020 11:48

Alternatively (or simultaneously) you might concentrate on thousands of years of amazing achievement by the people you are considering.

I slightly feel it's a mistake to view sections of society as problematic, to be understood and explained. It's quite othering to those being 'studied' ...

Ohgoodness34 · 12/07/2020 08:46

Did i say that i view any sections of society as problematic? Or that I’m studying anything or anyone?
I just want a decent book to help start some conversations because I want to talk about the fact that racism still exists today.

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