The Other Talk: Our Reckoning with White Privilege

Ages 12 And Up, Grades 7 And Up

Award-winning and New York Times bestselling author Brendan Kiely starts a conversation with white kids about race in this accessible introduction to white privilege, allyship, and anti-racism.

All too many kids of color get “the talk.” The talk about where to keep their hands, how to wear their clothes, how to speak, how to act around police—an honest talk, a talk about survival in a racist world. The get “the talk” because they must.

But white kids don’t get this talk. Instead, they’re barely spoken to about race at all—and that needs to change.

The Other Talk begins this much-needed conversation for white kids. In an accessible, anecdotal, and honest account from his own life, Brendan Kiely introduces young readers to white privilege, unconscious bias, and allyship—because racism isn’t just an issue for people of color, it’s an issue white people have to deal with, too, and it’s time we all start doing our part.

About the Author

Brendan Kiely is the New York Times bestselling author of All American Boys (with Jason Reynolds), The Last True Love Story, The Gospel of Winter, Tradition, and The Other Talk. His work has been published in ten languages; received a Coretta Scott King Author Honor Award, the Walter Dean Myers Award, and the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award; has twice been awarded Best Fiction for Young Adults by the American Library Association; and has been a Kirkus Reviews Best Book. Originally from the Boston area, he now lives in New York City.