Celebrating Black Young Adult and Children’s Book Authors

 

Black authors have played a significant role in shaping narratives that resonate with young readers. Their stories, rich with culture, diversity, and powerful themes, have helped change American culture and policies, while also providing readers authentic and relatable experiences. Join us in a celebrating the talented Black authors who have left an indelible mark on the world of young adult and children’s literature.

Choosing Books with Representation

Educators must find good books representing marginalized people during black history month and the entire school year. There are thousands of lists online, but if you are looking for the best, you may want to consider using the criteria set up by The Education Trust. Their tools for choosing books with representation fall under four domains.

1. Who created the story? Find books where the storyteller’s identity is the same as those whose stories are told.
2. How are historically marginalized people being included? They should be presented as multidimensional and show change or growth throughout the story.
3. How are historically marginalized groups being included? Look for books where they are presented positively or described by their personal assets.
4. How are historical and social topics presented? The best stories are where the issues are shown without sanitization and include the marginalized perspective.

Here are the books that PSW has chosen to help you get started. The selections range from kindergarten to twelfth-grade books featuring YA authors.

Children’s Books by Black Authors for Grades K-3:

From beloved classics like “The Snowy Day” to highlighting Black history in “The ABCs of Black History,” this selection of children’s books is a great addition to any classroom story time.

“Little Melba and Her Big Trombone” by Katheryn Russell-Brown

Published: Lee & Low Books (2014)

This biography tells about Melba Doretta Liston, who loved music and fell in love with the trombone at 7. It follows Melba through her teen and adult life as she battles racism and sexism to become a trailblazing musician.

“The ABCs of Black History” by Rio Cortez

Published: Workman Publishing Company (2020)

In this story, lyrical prose are written for each letter of the alphabet. They are accompanied by beautiful illustrations by Lauren Semmer.

“The Snowy Day” by Ezra Jack Keats

Publisher: Viking Books for Young Readers (1962)

It is a classic picture book that features an African-American boy exploring the magic of a snowy day.

“Firebird” by Misty Copeland

Published: G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers (2014)

The story of a young girl who aspires to become a ballerina but must first have faith in herself.

“Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice ” by Nikki Grimes

Published: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (2020)

A picture book biography written in prose about the first woman, first black person and first South Asian American ever elected Vice President of the United States of America.

“The Undefeated” by Kwame Alexander

Published: Versify (2019)

It is a poem that serves as a love letter to black life in the United States, showing the faith and perseverance of black heroes.

“Mama’s Nightingale: A Story of Immigration and Separation” by Edwidge Danticat

Published: Dial Books (2015)

This story is about a Haitian mother separated from her family in an immigration camp. The mother sends recordings of traditional Haitian stories to her daughter, Saya, to ease the pain of separation.

“Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment” by Parker Curry

Published: Aladdin (2019)

Part of a series featuring Parker Curry, a young black girl. In this book, Parker is inspired by the portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery.

“Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965” by Jonah Winter

Published: Anne Schwartz Books (2015)

This story follows Lillian, a one-hundred-year-old African-American woman on her way to vote. During her walk to vote, she recalls her family’s history and American history around the civil rights movement and the fierce determination to have their voices heard.

“Sulwe” by Lupita Nyong’o

Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (2019)

A colorful book about a little girl, Sulwe, whose skin tone is darker than all her friends. The book addresses colorism as Sulwe realizes that beauty comes from within after seeing the night sky.

“The Story of Ruby Bridges” by Robert Coles

Publisher: Scholastic Press (1995)

A picture book about Ruby Bridges, who, as a six-year-old, helped integrate the New Orleans school system.

 

Children’s Books by Black Authors for Grades 4-7:

As young people move from learning to read to reading to learn, these books offer a range of fiction and nonfiction stories to add to your curriculum. These titles offer something for every subject, from STEM topics in “Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” to folklore with magical realism in “Hurricane Child.”

“Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race” by Margot Lee Shetterly

Publisher: HarperCollins (2016)

A young readers’ edition that tells the inspiring story of four African American women mathematicians at NASA.

“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” by Vashti Harrison

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (2017)

A collection of short biographies featuring Black women who contributed significantly to history.

“New Kid” by Jerry Craft

Published: Quill Tree Books (2019)

In 7th grade, Jordan Banks is a new student of color at an upscale, predominately white school. The book describes how Jordan navigates his life at home, in a black neighborhood, and at school.

“Elijah of Buxton” by Christopher Paul Curtis

Publisher: Scholastic Press (2007)

It is a historical novel that follows the adventures of a young African-American boy in the first free Black settlement in Canada.

“Hurricane Child” by Kacen Callender

Published: Scholastic Press (2019)

Set in the Virgin Islands, this book follows twelve-year-old Caroline Murphy on her journey to find her mother and place in the world.

“Brown Girl Dreaming” by Jacqueline Woodson

Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (2014)

A memoir in verse that explores the author’s experiences growing up as an African-American girl in the 1960s and 1970s.

“One Crazy Summer” by Rita Williams-Garcia

Publisher: Amistad (2010)

It is a novel about three sisters who spend a summer with their estranged mother in Oakland, California, during the Black Panther movement.

Young Adult Books by Black Authors for Grades 8-12:

From the authentic and approachable storytelling of Black young adult author Angie Thomas to the classic essays describing the evolution of Black society by W.E.B. Du Bois, these titles will bring the historical and present-day Black experience to the forefront for young adult readers.

“The Hate U Give” by Angie Thomas

Publisher: Balzer + Bray (2017)

It is a contemporary novel that addresses race and police violence through the eyes of a teenage girl named Starr as she witnesses a police shooting of her best friend, who is unarmed.

“March: Book One” by John Lewis

Published: Top Shelf Productions (2013)

This graphic novel covers the life of Congressman John Lewis. It covers his youth in rural Alabama, through the Civil Rights Movement, and becoming a United States Congressman.

“Between the World and Me” by Ta-Nehisi Coates

Publisher: Spiegel & Grau (2015)

A powerful and thought-provoking letter from the author to his teenage son about being Black in America.

“The Souls of Black Folk” by W.E.B. Du Bois

Publisher: Dover Publications (original 1903)

A classic work of African-American literature that explores the experience of Black Americans in the post-Civil War United States.

Find More Books with Representation

As we celebrate Black young adults and children’s book authors, let’s recognize the importance of diverse voices in shaping the literary world and the impact representation has on children and teens. Join us in embracing and amplifying these voices, ensuring that every reader can find themselves within the pages of a book. Consider these awards and publishing houses to find additional books with representation: Africa World Press & The Red Sea Press, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and Lee & Low Books.