I'm Still Here: Loving Myself in a World Not Made for Me (Adapted for Young Readers)

Ages 8 to 12, Grades 3 to 7

An adaptation of the powerful, New York Times bestselling account of growing up Black and female in America, completely rewritten with new stories for young readers.

Austin Channing Brown’s first encounter with race in America came at age seven, when she discovered her parents named her Austin to trick future employers into thinking she was a white man. Growing up in majority-white schools and churches, Austin writes, “I had to learn what it means to love blackness,” a journey that led to a lifetime spent navigating America’s racial divide as a writer, speaker, and expert helping organizations practice genuine inclusion.

For students navigating a time of racial hostility, and for the adults and educators who care for them, I’m Still Here is an empowering look at the experiences of young Black women, inviting the reader to confront apathy, recognize the work each of us is called to do, and discover how Blackness—if we let it—can save us all.

About the Author

Austin Channing Brown is a speaker, writer, and media producer providing inspired leadership on racial justice in America. She is the New York Times bestselling author of I’m Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness, a Reese’s Book Club pick, and the executive producer of the web series The Next Question. Her writing and work have been featured by outlets such as On Being, Chicago Tribune, Christianity Today, Sojourners, Shondaland, and WNYC.

Author Residence: Detroit, MI