logo

63 pages 2 hours read

Ta-Nehisi Coates

Between the World and Me

Nonfiction | Book | Adult | Published in 2015

A 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

Roundup icon

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

Roundup icon

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 this

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.

Book Details
Pages

152

Format

Book • Nonfiction

Setting

United States • 2010s

Theme
Publication Year

2015

Audience

Adult

Recommended Reading Age

18+ years

Lexile Level

1090L

Continue your reading experience

Subscribe now to unlock the rest of this Study Guide plus our full library, which features expert-written summaries and analyses of 8,000+ additional titles.