Article contributed by Raathi Chota
Black History Month is a month to reflect on the African American experience and how they have shaped society. So, what better way than to explore books about black main characters written by black authors? In the recent years of young adult fiction, there’s been a rapid growth of authors spreading their voices and work through young characters, so here is a list of titles to check out during Black History Month, along with any time of the year!
American Street by Ibi Zoboi | Goodreads
The story about a girl moving back to the U.S, only to have her mother taken away by authorities who accuse her of overstaying her visa date. This book became a finalist in the 2017 National Book Award for Young Adult’s Literature.
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas | Goodreads
A Goodreads Choice Winner about a girl who lives in a low-class neighborhood yet attends a preppy school. She tries to keep them separate but everything comes crashing down when a fatal shooting occurs right before her.
Allegedly by Tiffany D. Jackson | Goodreads
When a white baby is killed, all fingers point to the black woman who was in the baby’s care at the time. Fighting for justice doesn’t come easy when years down the line she has to fight for her own baby.
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi | Goodreads
A heart-wrenching anthology written by various authors about the lives of modern African American teenagers.
Slay by Brittney Morris | Goodreads
Fans of The Hate u Give and Warcross will definitely enjoy this. A game developed by a black girl for the young black community receives controversy when a gamer is killed and Slay is labelled as racist.
Full Disclosure by Camryn Garrett | Goodreads
An HIV-positive girl has to deal with the trials and tribulations of a new school. Things only get harder when she starts to fall in love.
Legacy of Orisha series by Tomi Adeyemi | Goodreads
Fantasy lovers will enjoy Zéila as she tries to bring back the unspeakable magic that once was in Orisha. She must learn to calm her fury for those who took her mother but instead grows a liking toward the enemy.
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron | Goodreads
A fantasy driven tale where a girl struggles to gain magic. With an evil lurking about, will she exchange her own life for the magic to save everyone?
The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus | Goodreads
This tender story about two black girls living separate lives then falling in love is bound to catch your heart.
Who Put this Song On? By Morgan Parker | Goodreads
A story about a black girl being the outcast in her town. Yet when she discovers her people, she also begins to discover her true self.
War Girls by Tochi Onyebuchi | Goodreads
When war strikes, two sisters must fight and survive their way through to an end where they’ll hopefully still be together.
Hope is our Only Wing by Rutendo Tavengerwei | Goodreads
As a girl grieves over her father’s death, she becomes friends with someone who’s diagnosed with cancer.
Girls Like Us by Randi Pink | Goodreads
Told from different perspectives in the summer of 1972, all the girls reveal what it’s like to be a pregnant when you’re a teenager.
Dear Martin by Nic Stone | Goodreads
A teenage boy with a bright future has to deal with the law and looks to Dr. Martin Luther King for guidance.
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