I honestly thought I could fit all the Black Experience books this year into two posts. but when I hit nearly 30 after just the middle-grade books, I realized it was going to be three posts! This is why this is showing up on a rare Monday, and the last of which will be next week, so it all fits into Black History Month. Whew! It’s also the last of our award-season book lists, and starting next month – on the first and third Sundays, we will feature lists from our vast backlist of nominated books.
Black Ballerinas: My Journey to Our Legacy
by Misty Copeland, illustrated by Salena Barnes
Aladdin
“This is a great book to help diversify what people think about when they imaging “ballerina” In their minds.” – Karen D. Austin
Black Trailblazers: 30 Courageous Visionaries Who Broke Boundaries, Made a Difference, and Paved the Way
by Bijan Bayne/Joelle Avelino (ILT)
Andrews McMeel Publishing
“I’d rather read extensive biographies of all these icons, but to save time, try this anthology!” – Genevieve Ford
Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter
by Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long
Farrar, Straus & Giroux
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement
by Angela Joy, illustrated by Janelle Washington
Roaring Brook Press
“Words cannot do credit to the excellence and masterful execution of this picture book biography. Strong images with bold lines and solid colors show us the firm and steadfast courage of the maternal heart. Mamie Till-Mobley is shown here in a way this story deserves to be told. It is exquisite.” – TheBrookeList
Me and White Supremacy: Young Readers’ Edition
by Layla F. Saad
Sourcebooks eXplore
The Antiracist Kid: A Book About Identity, Justice, and Activism
by Tiffany Jewell, illustrated by Nicole Miles
Versify
“I can see students ages 10 to 15 being the ideal audience for this book. Nevertheless, I found the content interesting, informative, and provocative–with an aim towards personal transformation.” – Karen D. Austin
The Legacy of Jim Crow
by Clarence A. Haynes, Jennifer Sabin (Creator), David Ikard (Introduction)
Penguin Workshop
“The subject and details are heavy, yet the book utilizes low page count, plenty of informative and helpful sidebars, larger font with eye-pleasing white space between lines to present the objective task of informing the reader. Without a whiff of patronizing tone, the author and design provide a welcoming and honest space to learn, consider, and discuss.” – Sandy Brehl
Amari and the Great Game
by B. B. Alston
Balzer + Bray
“It’s hard work to stay good. The book boils down to a battle between good and evil, although it’s not always easy to tell one from the other. The secret motives of various characters will keep readers engaged and thinking. I highly recommend you give this book, and the series, a shot!” – Mark Buxton
Cameron Battle and the Hidden Kingdoms
by Jamar J. Perry
Bloomsbury Children’s Books
“So yes, this is familiar ground–the magical fighting, the griffins with whom the three kids form telepathic bonds, the chase after stolen objects of power while fighting terrifying wraiths. But it’s engrossing, and even if this was all there was to the story, it would be a fun (though not deeply memorable) read. ” – Charlotte
Children of Stardust
by Edudzi Adodo
Norton Young Readers
Onyeka and the Academy of the Sun
by Tolá Okogwu
Margaret K. McElderry
“This is a fast-paced thriller of a story, with lots of good things going for it, including Onyeka, mysteries and plot twists (though the plot twist seemed fairly obvious to me, it probably wouldn’t to a younger reader.)” – Katy K.
The Marvellers
by Dhonielle Clayton, illustrated by Khadijah Khatib
Henry Holt & Co.
Be Real, Macy Weaver
by Lakita Wilson
Viking Books for Young Readers
“There’s a lot to like about BE REAL, MACY WEAVER. From its vivid cover showing diverse characters, to its engrossing plotline, to its empowering message, it’s an engaging read.” – Susan (Bloggin’ About Books).
Caprice
by Coe Booth
Scholastic Press
Freewater
by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
“It’s always fun (to me, anyway) to find a piece of historical fiction where you find out some little kernel of history that feels brand new and this is exactly that kind of story.” – Debbie Tanner
Just Right Jillian
by Nicole D. Collier
Versify
Operation Sisterhood
by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich
Random House Books for Young Readers
Out of My Heart
by Sharon M. Draper
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Stuntboy, in the Meantime
by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raúl the Third
Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
“I’m excited this is only the beginning of this series about an extremely likable kid. This will keep young readers turning pages.” – Sondra Eklund
The Lucky Ones
by Linda Williams Jackson
Atheneum/Candlewick Press
” I also loved watching Ellis Earl become a reader over the course of the book as he realized that he didn’t think reading was boring, he just hadn’t found the right book. Seeing how he connected with Charlie Bucket was a beautiful testament to the power of books.” – Emily Cook, Build Your Library
Ways to Share Joy
by Renée Watson, illustrated by Nina Mata
Bloomsbury USA
Anne of West Philly: A Modern Graphic Retelling of Anne of Green Gables
by Ivy Noelle Weir, illustrated by Myisha Haynes
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
“I love the story of Anne and this was a wonderful way to change the story line but keep it true to Anne. I love how inclusive it is and want more!” – Readerosaurus
Fibbed
by Elizabeth Agyemang
Razorbill
“A vibrant graphic novel about magical realism and folk tales set in Ghana, where the main character is sent to stay with family for the summer. I loved to see Ananse show up and guide her and some others on an adventure during her stay.” – Kristen
Piece by Piece: The Story of Nisrin’s Hijab
by Priya Huq
Harry N Abrams
Shuri and T’Challa: Into the Heartlands
by Roseanne A. Brown, illustrated by Dika Araújo and Natacha Bustos and Claudia Aguirre
GRAPHIX
Swim Team
by Johnnie Christmas
HarperAlley
“The thing I thought about most while reading this book was how representation matters. It will be wonderful for young Black girls to see themselves in this story. It’s a good story that centers on their experiences, and one that makes them the center of the narrative. ” – Melissa Fox