By Alicia Byrne
The lack of black representation in literature can make it feel as if the world does not value black beauty or hear black voices. It’s important that children grow up in a world that listens to, celebrates, and encourages them. It can be hard to sift through all the books out there to find the rare few that shine a spotlight on the black experience. To get you started, here is a short list of titles that are great for children and young adults to feel empowered and understood.
Ages 0-5:
● Jehvon Goes to Jamaica by Natasha N Brown
● Baby Young, Gifted, and Black by Jamia Wilson
● So Much by Trish Cooke
● Look Up! by Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola
● Coming to England by Baroness Floella Benjamin and Diane Ewen
Ages 5-10:
● Sulwe by Lupita Nyong’o
● Don’t Touch My Hair by Sharee Miller ● My Brown Skin by Dr. Thomishia Booker
● The Little Leaders Collection by Vashti Harrison
● Hair Love by Matthew Cherry and Vashti Harrison
Ages 10-15:
● Black brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
● New Kid by Jerry Craft
● The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
● Black Heroes by Arlisha Norwood
● When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed
Age 15+:
● Who Put This Song On? by Morgan Parker
● Black Girl Unlimited: The Remarkable Story of a Teenage Wizard by Echo Brown
● The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
● With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo
● Dear Martin by Nic Stone
If you would like to view a more extensive list, and to learn more about the value of celebrating blackness in literature, visit Black Linguistic Justice!
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