Another request from my teacher friend for a booklist, this time featuring African-American main characters!
Books I’ve read that fit this:
- City of Saints and Thieves by Natalie C. Anderson
- This one isn’t “African-American” because it’s set in present-day Africa, but it features African characters. And I liked that we are presented with the Africa that isn’t sob-story “send your donations” commercials with Sarah McLaughlin singing in the background (or is that those annoying humane society ones?)
- Read my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2129120422
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
- Verse and autobiographical
- More for advanced upper elementary or middle schoolers, but if you have a student who loves poetry, you might give them this as an option.
- Read my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1667822876
- Monster by Walter Dean Myers
- Because Monster is written mostly as a script, it wasn’t too much to my liking, but it is nearly 20 years old and still beloved.
- Read my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1677302119
- Author to pay attention to
- The Steep and Thorny Way by Cat Winters
- This book is literally Hamlet with a biracial (white an African-American) female Hamlet set in Prohibition-era Oregon.
- Read my review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1713040610
- When I Was the Greatest by Jason Reynolds
- This was the first book by Reynolds I read. It’s very much not my typical cup of tea (urban, gangs, violence), but it changed so many of my preconceptions and understandings. HIGHLY recommend!
- My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1764923064
- Author to pay attention to
- Mare’s War by Tanita S. Davis
- Perfect for 8th graders
- Another dual narrative, but this time present-day and WWII
- My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1767644138
- Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
- Historical fiction of a slave during the Revolutionary War, which is a not common premise
- It’s Laurie Halse Anderson, so it’s a wonderful book
- My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1795246078
- The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
- FABULOUS BOOK!
- If you haven’t heard of this one, you’ve been living under a rock the past year :D
- My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1887238652
- Dreamland Burning by Jennifer Latham
- Dual narrative of 1921 Tulsa Race Riots and present-day Tulsa
- LOVE LOVE LOVE this book!
- The mystery aspect of it will appeal to those who usually shy away from historical fiction
- My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2020040562
- Ghost by Jason Reynolds
- More tweens, but I enjoyed it
- Great for reluctant readers
- Sequel (Patina) came out earlier this fall
- Great for students who only want to read about sports, as it focuses a lot of track/running
- My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2089539748
- Author to (still) pay attention to
On my TBR List:
- Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds
- MAJOR SUPER MAJOR BUZZ
- The “long way down” is a ride in an elevator that Will takes. Will, who has a gun in the waistband of his pants. At each floor, someone gets one who is connected to the death of Will’s dead brother.
- Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22552026-long-way-down?ac=1&from_search=true
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- MAJOR buzz
- It’s like The Hate U Give in regards to police-African-American relations, but also explores how MLK’s philosophy holds up in the 21st century
- Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24974996-dear-martin
- American Street by Ibi Zoboi
- Immigration story
- Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30256109-american-street
- Akata Witch (and sequel) by Nnedi Okorafor
- It’s hard to describe. Just read the Goodreads page. lol https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7507944-akata-witch?ac=1&from_search=true
- Little & Lion by Brandy Colbert
- LGBTQIA+, POC, and mental health
- Major buzz when it came out this summer
- Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25062038-little-lion
Elsewhere on the Internet:
- Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson
- Piecing Me Together by Renee Watson
- Crossing Ebenezer Creek by Tonya Bolden
- Overturned by LR Giles
- Trell by Dick Lehr
- Calling My Name by Liara Tamani
- Fake ID by LR Giles
- Love Is the Drug by Alaya Dawn Johnson
- By Jason Reynolds
- All American Boys
- The Boy in the Black Suit
- Miles Morales: Spider-Man (biracial Puerto Rican and African-American)
- By Kwame Alexander
- The Crossover
- Solo
- The Playbook
- Booked
- He Said, She Said
- Nonfiction featuring awesome POC teens:
- Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, a Life in Balance by Simone Biles
- Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina by Misty Copeland
Check out this LibGuide that features the following books:
- http://libraryschool.libguidescms.com/content.php?pid=670917&sid=5555363
- The First Part Last by Angela Johnson
- Pointe by Brandy Colbert
- Kendra by Coe Booth
- After Tupac and Foster by Jacqueline Woodson
- The House You Pass on the Way by Jacqueline Woodson
- This Side of Home by Renee Watson
- Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley
- The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake
- Who Am I Without Him? by Sharon G. Flake
- November Blues by Sharon M. Draper
