Black Voices
We have created a list of books for young people of all ages to share black stories and promote black voices. All the books featured in this list are written by black authors and exemplify the principles of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The age-appropriate lists have been created to help our teachers, students and their families explore race, identity, family and community.
Top 20 Recommended Fiction Books by Black Authors for Year 7 – please use your own discretion in terms of choices for your child:
"The Crossover" by Kwame Alexander
A novel in verse about two brothers and their love for basketball, exploring family, sibling rivalry, and personal growth.
"Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
A memoir-in-verse recounting the author’s childhood experiences growing up in the 1960s and 70s, touching on themes of family, identity, and dreams.
"Ghost" by Jason Reynolds
A young boy, Ghost, learns to channel his anger through running, while also grappling with his past and finding new opportunities.
"The Parker Inheritance" by Varian Johnson
A mystery and adventure about two kids unraveling clues from a decades-old puzzle linked to the history of racism in their town.
"One Crazy Summer" by Rita Williams-Garcia
Three sisters spend the summer in Oakland, learning about the Black Panther Party while uncovering family secrets.
"Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson
Jade, a young Black girl, navigates her identity, school challenges, and the struggle to fit in, all while striving to pursue her dreams.
"Look Both Ways" by Jason Reynolds
Ten interconnected short stories about the diverse lives of schoolmates as they go about their day, touching on themes of friendship, belonging, and personal challenges.
"Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters" by John Steptoe
A retelling of an African folktale about kindness, wisdom, and beauty, with beautiful illustrations that reflect African culture.
"Dear Martin" by Nic Stone
A gripping exploration of race, justice, and friendship, told through the eyes of a young Black teenager, Justyce, as he navigates difficult situations.
"The Mighty Miss Malone" by Christopher Paul Curtis
A historical fiction novel about a young girl, Deza Malone, growing up during the Great Depression and learning the value of resilience and hope.
"Clean Getaway" by Jerry Craft
A fun and adventurous road trip story about a boy and his grandmother, tackling issues of race, privilege, and family.
"The Faraway Truth" by Jacqueline Woodson
A beautiful story about a girl discovering her family's history and learning to navigate the complexities of truth and love.
"Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut" by Derrick Barnes
A beautifully illustrated book that celebrates the pride and confidence that comes with getting a fresh haircut, empowering young Black boys.
"The Jumbies" by Tracey Baptiste
A thrilling fantasy adventure inspired by Caribbean folklore, with a brave young girl who faces dangerous spirits to save her island.
"The Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi
An epic fantasy novel that blends Nigerian culture with magical elements, telling the story of a girl’s journey to restore magic to her people.
"The City of Ember" by Jeanne DuPrau
A thrilling dystopian adventure about two children working to save their underground city from destruction.
"The Gilded Wolves" by Roshani Chokshi
A historical fantasy set in Paris, mixing magic, heist, and rich cultural backgrounds, with diverse characters.
"Cinder" by Marissa Meyer
A futuristic retelling of Cinderella with a strong, resourceful heroine and intriguing themes of identity and justice.
"Crumble" by Rahma Rodaah
A heartfelt story about a Somali girl navigating life in a new country, dealing with friendships, culture, and identity in her community.
"Cory the Black Cat" by Patrick Yeboah
A fun and heartwarming story of a mischievous cat and his adventures in a bustling city, with themes of family, responsibility, and self-discovery
Books by Black Authors for Ages 13-16 – please use your own discretion in terms of choices for your child:
"Noughts and Crosses" by Malorie Blackman
A gripping dystopian novel that explores themes of racism, class, and love in a world where society is divided by skin color.
"How High the Moon" by Karyn Parsons
Set in the segregated South during the 1940s, this novel follows a young girl named Ella who is determined to follow her dreams despite the oppressive social barriers around her.
"Slay" by Brittney Morris
A fast-paced and thought-provoking novel about a Black teenager who creates an online video game where Black players can thrive, but struggles when the game is threatened by racism.
"On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
The story of Bri, a 16-year-old aspiring rapper who faces challenges of poverty, race, and family dynamics while trying to make her mark on the world.
"Dear Martin" by Nic Stone
This novel follows Justyce, a high school student who begins writing letters to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he struggles to make sense of a racially charged incident that affects his life.
"I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
A classic memoir that tells the story of Angelou's difficult childhood in the segregated South, exploring themes of trauma, resilience, and the search for identity.
"Mother Country: Real Stories of Windrush Children" by Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff
A collection of real-life stories from individuals who were part of the Windrush Generation, exploring the challenges and triumphs they experienced as they moved to the UK after World War II.
"The Black Flamingo" by Dean Atta
This novel-in-verse follows a mixed-race boy named Michael as he comes into his own, grappling with identity, sexuality, and race, ultimately finding his place in the world.
"Long Way Down" by Jason Reynolds
A poignant novel in verse about a boy named Will who faces a moral dilemma after his brother is killed, questioning revenge and the cycle of violence in his community.
"American Street" by Ibi Zoboi
Fabiola Toussaint, a Haitian immigrant, navigates her new life in Detroit, facing cultural clashes and trying to hold on to her roots while confronting family and personal challenges.
"Children of Blood and Bone" by Tomi Adeyemi
A captivating fantasy inspired by Nigerian mythology, following Zélie as she fights to restore magic to her war-torn land, facing oppression and discovering her true power.
"All American Boys" by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely
A gripping and timely novel that examines racial prejudice and police brutality through the alternating perspectives of two high school boys—one Black, one white—after a violent incident.
"The Sun Is Also a Star" by Nicola Yoon
This romance novel explores the connection between two teenagers from different cultural backgrounds who meet on the day that Natasha's family is about to be deported.
"The Poet X" by Elizabeth Acevedo
A novel-in-verse about Xiomara, a Dominican-American teen in Harlem, who expresses herself through poetry as she grapples with family expectations, faith, and identity.
"Clap When You Land" by Elizabeth Acevedo
Another novel-in-verse by Elizabeth Acevedo, focusing on two sisters separated by an ocean who learn they are connected by the death of their father, exploring family and loss.
"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie
Junior, a Native American teenager, leaves his reservation school to attend a predominantly white school, navigating issues of identity, race, and belonging.
"Piecing Me Together" by Renée Watson
A powerful novel about Jade, a young Black girl who navigates life in a predominantly white school, struggling with class, race, and finding her voice.
"Loud Black Girls" by Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinené
A collection of essays that explores Black womanhood in the UK, touching on themes of identity, race, and representation.
"The Weight of Our Sky" by Hanna Alkaf
Set during the 1969 race riots in Malaysia, this novel follows a girl with obsessive-compulsive disorder who must overcome both her inner struggles and the chaos of the world around her