February is Black History Month, a perfect time to honor and celebrate the contributions and impact of African Americans and the Black community on our nation as a whole. This book list, which includes fantasy, mystery, historical fiction and more, honors African American culture and heritage. We hope that this list starts you off on a journey to celebrate and learn about Black history, during February and beyond.
Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron (fantasy, gr. 9 & up)
YA F BARRON
Inspired by West African mythology, this rich, exciting fantasy introduces Arrah, a magicless girl in a family famous for their witch doctor powers. When children in her city begin to disappear, Arrah is driven to take a dangerous risk: she will trade years of her life for the magic needed to unearth the evil that is kidnapping children in the kingdom.
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi (short story collection, gr. 9 & up)
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Black Enough is a collection of stories written by an amazingly talented and well respected group of young-adult authors. There’s something for everyone here, and whether you sample some of the stories or read the book from cover to cover, you’re sure to find something to connect with, think about and/or appreciate in these tales.
Daughters of Jubilation by Kara Lee Corthron (historical fantasy, gr. 9 & up)
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Set in the 1960s in the Jim Crow South, Corthron crafts an alternate universe fantasy that focuses on Evvie, a young woman with a strong power that can destroy or protect, depending on her emotions and her control. Full of suspense and harrowing events, Evvie will capture readers’ attention as she struggles to escape the evil intentions of a sinister predator who has his sights set on her.
The Skin I’m In by Sharon G. Flake (realistic fiction, gr. 6 & up)
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For the past two years, Maleeka’s widowed mother has been in such deep mourning that she could barely function, effectively leaving Maleeka as the head of household with no one to rely on but herself. School is no better, as the bright 13 year old is a social outcast thanks to her out-of-style attire and the dark tone of her skin. When a new teacher starts at her school, Maleeka is not pleased with the pressure of Miss Saunders’ high expectations -- but eventually, Maleeka will learn to embrace all aspects of herself with pride. This is a moving tale that has been capturing readers' hearts for over 20 years.
When You Look Like Us by Pamela N. Harris (mystery, gr. 9 & up)
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In Jay’s neighborhood, Black girls disappear all the time, and no one seems to care. When his sister becomes one of the missing, and the police dismiss the matter entirely, Jay realizes that it’s up to him to find his sister before it’s too late to bring her home. Thrilling, suspenseful, and unfortunately a little too believable, this is a great choice for mystery fans and realistic fiction readers alike.
March trilogy by John Lewis & Andrew Aydin (graphic novel, gr. 8 & up)
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This multi-award-winning graphic novel trilogy brings a pivotal time in American history to life for teen readers. Before he passed, Congressman John Lewis penned this inside story, sharing his perspective of what the Civil Rights Movement was like from the front lines. The narrative is compelling, the art is striking, and the events are inspiring. Not to be missed.
One of the Good Ones by Maika & Martiza Moulite (realistic fiction, gr. 9 & up)
YA F MOULITE
After attending a peaceful protest on her 18th birthday, Keziah Leah Smith dies while in police custody. Bombarded with their own grief and the overwhelming attention from the media, her sisters decide to embark on the road trip that Kezi had planned for them before she died. Meant to be a bonding experience between the three sisters, as well as a trip through their own family’s history, this excursion will include surprises, suspense, and unexpected realizations.
Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds (science fiction, gr. 9 & up)
YA F REYNOLDS
Two years ago, Jamal’s parents died and he blamed his best friend Quincy for the accident. When he sees Q again, the old pain resurfaces, harsh words are spoken, and tragedy strikes once more. What follows next is a surprising departure from reality, which makes for a fascinating story: Q can be brought back to life with no knowledge of his death, but only for a short time. It’s an unexpected opportunity to make amends, leave the pain in the past, and rebuild a friendship, but can their bond really be fixed when resentments and secrets still stand between them?
Awakening of Malcolm X by Ilyasah Shabazz with Tiffany D. Jackson (biographical novel, gr. 7 & up)
YA F SHABAZZ
Before he was Malcolm X, Malcolm Little was a young man who was sentenced to 8-10 years in prison thanks to the betrayal of his white girlfriend. In jail, he is exposed to numerous atrocities and dehumanizing practices, but he also finds his calling. This fictionalized biography was written by Malcolm X’s daughter Ilyasah Shabazz, who teamed up with renowned YA author Tiffany D. Jackson, and the pairing results in a fascinating story that comes highly recommended.
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam (Verse novel, gr. 8 & up)
YA F ZOBOI
When 16-year-old Amal and his friends get into a fight with another group of boys, he and his companions are all given prison time while the white boys they tangled with get off without any consequences whatsoever. The unfairness of the situation, the horrific atmosphere of the jail, and the fear that his life might be ruined before it has hardly even begun, wears on Amal until he finds strength through his art and poetry. Co-author Yusef Salaam is one of the Exonerated Five, a group of five friends who were wrongfully convicted of a horrific crime. He spent almost seven years in jail before a DNA test proved his innocence, and his experience lends a raw authenticity to Amal’s fictional tale.