63 pages • 2 hours read
Ta-Nehisi CoatesBetween the World and Me
Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2015A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates is a poignant letter to his teenage son, Samori, addressing the trauma and systemic challenges faced by Black individuals in America. Coates chronicles personal experiences and broader historical contexts, emphasizing the physical and psychological impacts of racial violence and the ongoing struggle for identity and safety amidst systemic injustice.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates has garnered substantial praise for its poignant and powerful exploration of race in America, framed as a letter to his son. Critics acclaim its emotional depth, lyrical prose, and unflinching honesty. However, some find its outlook overly bleak and its structure somewhat repetitive. Overall, it is widely regarded as a vital, thought-provoking read.
Who Should Read Between the World and Me?
Readers who would appreciate Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates are often engaged in exploring themes of race, identity, and social justice. They may have enjoyed works like The Fire Next Time by James Baldwin or How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi, as these books also address the complexities of racial issues in America.
RecommendedReading Age
18+yearsLexile Level
1090LBook Details
Race / Racism
Black Lives Matter
Identity: Race
Values/Ideas: Justice & Injustice
African American Literature