20 Best Books For African American Young Adults (2023 Update)

On october 28, 1959, john howard griffin underwent a transformation that changed many lives beyond his own–he made his skin black and traveled through the segregated deep south. his odyssey of discovery was captured in journal entries, arguably the single most important documentation of 20th-century american racism ever written. more than 50 years later, this newly edited edition–which is based on the original manuscript and includes a new design and added afterword–gives fresh life to what is still considered a contemporary book. the story that earned respect from civil rights leaders and death threats from many others endures today as one of the great human–and humanitarian–documents of the era. in this new century, when terrorism is too often defined in terms of a single ethnic designation or religion, and the first black president of the united states is subject to hateful slurs, this record serves as a reminder that america has been blinded by fear and racial intolerance before. this is the story of a man who opened his eyes and helped an entire nation to do likewise.

New york times bestseller – read with jenna book club pick as featured on today – two estranged siblings delve into their mother’s hidden past—and how it all connects to her traditional caribbean black cake—in this immersive family saga, “a character-driven, multigenerational story that’s meant to be savored” (time). in present-day california, eleanor bennett’s death leaves behind a puzzling inheritance for her two children, byron and benny: a black cake, made from a family recipe with a long history, and a voice recording. in her message, eleanor shares a tumultuous story about a headstrong young swimmer who escapes her island home under suspicion of murder. the heartbreaking tale eleanor unfolds, the secrets she still holds back, and the mystery of a long-lost child challenge everything the siblings thought they knew about their lineage and themselves.can byron and benny reclaim their once-close relationship, piece together eleanor’s true history, and fulfill her final request to “share the black cake when the time is right”? will their mother’s revelations bring them back together or leave them feeling more lost than ever? charmaine wilkerson’s debut novel is a story of how the inheritance of betrayals, secrets, memories, and even names can shape relationships and history. deeply evocative and beautifully written, black cake is an extraordinary journey through the life of a family changed forever by the choices of its matriarch.

The “brilliantly wry” (lena dunham) and “lovably awkward” (mindy kaling) new york times bestseller from the creator of hbo’s insecure. in the bestselling tradition of sloane crosley’s i was told there’d be cake and mindy kaling’s is everyone hanging out without me?, a collection of humorous essays on what it’s like to be unabashedly awkward in a world that regards introverts as hapless misfits, and black as cool.my name is “j” and i’m awkward—and black. someone once told me those were the two worst things anyone could be. that someone was right. where do i start? being an introvert in a world that glorifies cool isn’t easy. but when issa rae, the creator of the shorty award–winning hit series “the misadventures of awkward black girl,” is that introvert—whether she’s navigating love, work, friendships, or “rapping”—it sure is entertaining. now, in this debut collection of essays written in her witty and self-deprecating voice, rae covers everything from cybersexing in the early days of the internet to deflecting unsolicited comments on weight gain, from navigating the perils of eating out alone and public displays of affection to learning to accept yourself—natural hair and all. a reflection on her own unique experiences as a cyber pioneer yet universally appealing, the misadventures of awkward black girl is a book no one—awkward or cool, black, white, or other—will want to miss.

"masterfully written and pitch perfect, black girls must be magic is, simply, magic."–good morning america in this highly anticipated second installment in the black girls must die exhausted series, tabitha walker copes with more of life's challenges and a happy surprise–a baby–with a little help and lots of love from friends old and new. for tabitha walker, her grandmother's old adage, "black girls must die exhausted" is becoming all too true. discovering she's pregnant–after she was told she may not be able to have biological children–tabitha throws herself headfirst into the world of "single mothers by choice." between her job, doctor's appointments, and preparing for the baby, she's worn out. and that's before her boss at the local news station starts getting complaints from viewers about tabitha's natural hair. when an unexpected turn of events draws marc–her on and off-again ex-boyfriend–back into her world with surprising demands, and the situation at work begins to threaten her livelihood and her identity, tabitha must make some tough decisions about her and her baby's future. it takes a village to raise a child, and tabitha turns to the women who have always been there for her. bolstered by the fierce support of ms. gretchen, her grandmother's best friend, the counsel of her closest friends laila and alexis, and the calming presence of her doula andouele, tabitha must find a way to navigate motherhood on her own terms. will she harness the bravery, strength, and self-love she'll need to keep "the village" together, find her voice at work, and settle things with marc before the baby arrives?

Edited by national book award finalist ibi zoboi, and featuring some of the most acclaimed bestselling black authors writing for teens today—black enough is an essential collection of captivating stories about what it’s like to be young and black in america. – black is…sisters navigating their relationship at summer camp in portland, oregon, as written by renée watson. – black is…three friends walking back from the community pool talking about nothing and everything, in a story by jason reynolds. – black is…nic stone’s high-class beauty dating a boy her momma would never approve of. – black is…two girls kissing in justina ireland’s story set in maryland. – black is urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more—because there are countless ways to be black enough. contributors:justina ireland – varian johnson – rita williams-garcia – kekla magoon – leah henderson – tochi onyebuchi – jason reynolds – nic stone – liara tamani – renée watson – jay coles – lamar giles

Racial identity, pop culture, and delusions of perfection collide in an eye-opening and refreshingly frank memoir by fashion and beauty insider danielle prescod. danielle prescod grew up black in an elite and overwhelmingly white community, her identity made more invisible by the whitewashed movies, television, magazines, and books she and her classmates voraciously consumed. danielle took her cue from the world around her and aspired to shrink her identity into that box, setting increasingly poisonous goals. she started painful and damaging chemical hair treatments in elementary school, began depriving herself of food when puberty hit, and tried to control her image through the most unimpeachable, impeccable fashion choices. those obsessions led her to relentlessly pursue a career in beauty and fashion–the eye of the racist and sexist beauty standard storm. assimilating was hard, but she was practiced. and she was an asset. their "token black girl." toxic, sure. but danielle was striving to achieve social cache and working her way up the ladder of coveted media jobs, and she looked great, right? so what if she had to endure executives' questions like "what was it like to drive to school from the ghetto?" or coworkers' eager curiosity to know if her parents were on welfare. but after decades of burying her emotions, resentment, and true self, danielle turned a critical eye inward and confronted the factors that motivated her self-destructive behaviors. sharp witted and bracingly candid, token black girl unpacks the adverse effects of insidious white supremacy in the media–both unconscious and strategic–to tell a personal story about recovery from damaging concepts of perfection, celebrating identity, and demolishing social conditioning.

#1 new york times bestseller – a chorus of extraordinary voices tells the epic story of the four-hundred-year journey of african americans from 1619 to the present—edited by ibram x. kendi, author of how to be an antiracist, and keisha n. blain, author of set the world on fire. – finalist for the andrew carnegie medal – named one of the best books of the year by the washington post, town & country, ms. magazine, book – page, she reads, book – riot, booklist – “a vital addition to [the] curriculum on race in america . . . a gateway to the solo works of all the voices in kendi and blain’s impressive choir.”—the washington post “from journalist hannah p. jones on jamestown’s first slaves to historian annette gordon-reed’s portrait of sally hemings to the seductive cadences of poets jericho brown and patricia smith, four hundred souls weaves a tapestry of unspeakable suffering and unexpected transcendence.”—o: the oprah magazine – the story begins in 1619—a year before the mayflower—when the white lion disgorges “some 20-and-odd negroes” onto the shores of virginia, inaugurating the african presence in what would become the united states. it takes us to the present, when african americans, descendants of those on the white lion and a thousand other routes to this country, continue a journey defined by inhuman oppression, visionary struggles, stunning achievements, and millions of ordinary lives passing through extraordinary history. four hundred souls is a unique one-volume “community” history of african americans. the editors, ibram x. blain, have assembled ninety brilliant writers, each of whom takes on a five-year period of that four-hundred-year span. the writers explore their periods through a variety of techniques: historical essays, short stories, personal vignettes, and fiery polemics. they approach history from various perspectives: through the eyes of towering historical icons or the untold stories of ordinary people; through places, laws, and objects. while themes of resistance and struggle, of hope and reinvention, course through the book, this collection of diverse pieces from ninety different minds, reflecting ninety different perspectives, fundamentally deconstructs the idea that africans in america are a monolith—instead it unlocks the startling range of experiences and ideas that have always existed within the community of blackness. this is a history that illuminates our past and gives us new ways of thinking about our future, written by the most vital and essential voices of our present.

A most anticipated book from: oprah daily, business insider, marie claire, the seattle times, lit hub, bustle, and new york magazine's vulture introduction by new york times bestselling author henry louis gates jr. spanning more than 35 years of work, the first comprehensive collection of essays, criticism, and articles by the legendary author of the harlem renaissance, zora neale hurston, showcasing the evolution of her distinctive style as an archivist and author. "one of the greatest writers of our time."–toni morrison you don't know us negroes is the quintessential gathering of provocative essays from one of the world's most celebrated writers, zora neale hurston. spanning more than three decades and penned during the backdrop of the birth of the harlem renaissance, montgomery bus boycott, desegregation of the military, and school integration, hurston's writing articulates the beauty and authenticity of black life as only she could. collectively, these essays showcase the roles enslavement and jim crow have played in intensifying black people's inner lives and culture rather than destroying it. she argues that in the process of surviving, black people re-interpreted every aspect of american culture–"modif[ying] the language, mode of food preparation, practice of medicine, and most certainly religion." white supremacy prevents the world from seeing or completely recognizing black people in their full humanity and hurston made it her job to lift the veil and reveal the heart and soul of the race. these pages reflect hurston as the controversial figure she was–someone who stated that feminism is a mirage and that the integration of schools did not necessarily improve the education of black students. also covered is the sensational trial of ruby mccollum, a wealthy black woman convicted in 1952 for killing her lover, a white doctor. demonstrating the breadth of this revered and influential writer's work, you don't know us negroes and other essays is an invaluable chronicle of a writer's development and a window into her world and mind.

―monique jones, author of the book of awesome black americans#1 new release in teen & young adult maturing, cultural heritage, and women biographies – even strong, fearless, and badass black teen girls and black women need empowering words of affirmation. author of badass black girl, m.j fievre brings you inspirational words of wisdom through famous black women who have changed the world, including audre lorde, lupita nyong'o and angela davis. – take a deep breath. it's essential for black women and black teen girls to understand that taking a break to focus on our mental health is bravery. – empowered black girl teaches you to: master using daily words of affirmation – experience a life filled with love, black joy, fulfillment, and satisfaction – take control of your destiny and direct your future – if you enjoyed empowering books like badass black girl, badass affirmations, well-read black girl, or brave: a teen girl's guide to beating worry and anxiety, then you'll love empowered black girl: joyful affirmations and words of resilience.

New york times bestseller – in her stunning debut, the creator of black liturgies weaves stories from three generations of her family alongside contemplative reflections to discover the “necessary rituals” that connect us with our belonging, dignity, and liberation.“ this is the kind of book that makes you different when you’re done.”—ashley c. i believe that is what my father wanted for me and knew i would so desperately need: a tool for survival, the truth of my dignity named like a mercy new each morning.” so writes cole arthur riley in her unforgettable book of stories and reflections on discovering the sacred in her skin. in these deeply transporting pages, arthur riley reflects on the stories of her grandmother and father, and how they revealed to her an embodied, dignity-affirming spirituality, not only in what they believed but in the act of living itself. writing memorably of her own childhood and coming to self, arthur riley boldly explores some of the most urgent questions of life and faith: how can spirituality not silence the body, but instead allow it to come alive? in this indelible work of contemplative storytelling, arthur riley invites us to descend into our own stories, examine our capacity to rest, wonder, joy, rage, and repair, and find that our humanity is not an enemy to faith but evidence of it. at once a compelling spiritual meditation, a powerful intergenerational account, and a tender coming-of-age narrative, this here flesh speaks potently to anyone who suspects that our stories might have something to say to us.

She started her career four years ago and has come a long way. lucky ray has turned her dreams into reality as she began her journey as an author and more. although many innocent blacks' deaths at the hands of police sparked renewed protests, their deaths were not an isolated incident. this wave of tragic injustice threw a spotlight on the deaths of breonna taylor, eric garner, trayvon martin, michael brown, tamir rice, and many others. "dear black people you are loved" is dedicated to all the beautiful black people in our nation.

Tracy brown's single black female is a taut, edgy, deftly spun novel about four friends grappling with the dramatic twists and turns of life, love and what it means to “make it” in america. ivy donovan is a successful stylist, entrepreneur, and single mom who has been loyal to her sons’ father, michael, who’s serving a lengthy prison sentence. but life has gotten lonely over the years, and ivy wants more for herself. michael, however, isn’t about to lose his family. coco norris is well-off, single, childless, and struggling with her allegiance to emotionally unavailable men. when she finds a man who seems like he can give her everything she has ever wanted, coco soon discovers that she has taken on more than she can possibly handle. deja maddox is a real estate agent who is married to bobby, a police sergeant with the nypd. they have assimilated, looking down on anything that doesn’t fit their buttoned-up, polished life. but deja isn’t as satisfied as she would like everyone to believe. when deja’s past returns with a vengeance, she’s forced to face herself as her “perfect” life begins to crumble.nikki diamond is a savvy, self-made businesswoman and social media darling who lives large and with no regrets. she’s also deja’s little sister and thinks her sister can have so much more than her ho-hum marriage. and nikki is all too happy to lend a “helping” hand to make that happen. things come to a head when ivy’s youngest son, kingston, is caught up in a polarizing encounter with the nypd. everyone must figure out where they stand, including bobby, who suddenly has to decide if his “blue life” matters more to him than his black life and the black lives of those he loves.single black female highlights the nuances of black love, the often tested bonds of black families, what it means to face the world as a black man and the joy and pain of being a black woman.

Black heroes who have made us a better america – activists and rap stars, abolitionists and pioneers, inventors and scientists surge with life throughout this thrilling and comprehensive work." ―jennifer maritza mc – cauley, national endowment for the arts fellow and author of scar on / scar off#1 best seller in teen & young adult 21st century u.s. history – black americans who have shaped their country and beyond. their biographies vary greatly, but each one contributes to the course of black history and its influence on america and the greater world. their stories encourage teenage boys and girls, to find their own path to change. – celebrate the successes made possible by diversity. african americans have made history by challenging and changing the american landscape. this was accomplished not by shedding layers of originality, but by wearing their colors proudly and openly in the world. growth has been made possible by a resistance to conformity and a fusing of cultures, african and american alike. jones's the book of awesome black americans is more than a black history book. it's a celebration of black people. in this book, you will find: amazing role models who brought on change by using their gifts and passions to overcome societal barriers – stories mainstream media failed to mention that are sure to inspire, motivate, and educate readers of all backgrounds – testimonies that demonstrate how american culture thrives when it celebrates diversity and promotes inclusiveness – if you enjoyed books such as 100 african-americans who shaped american history, bedtime inspirational stories, black pioneers of science and invention, or becca anderson's the book of awesome women, then the book of awesome black americans should be your next read!

Known more for the students he produced, like malcolm x, louis farrakhan and muhammad ali, this controversial man exposed the black man as well as the world to a teaching, till now, was only used behind closed doors of high degree masons and shriners.

#1 african american women's fiction bestselling seriesfrom bestselling author j. dominique comes low key fallin for a savage 3, a finale with an ending you'd never expect. in the series finale, things pick up right where they left off. destiny is living the life of juice's one and only woman. since dre's last crazy act, they're off the hook for his supposed disappearance; however, she's still dealing with her baby daddy's meddling. when he takes things a step further in his attempt at taking away yo'sahn, will the couple be able to deal with the fallout? dream was trying to move on with her life and get another location for their salon while avoiding a newly apologetic eazy. things have changed now that he could die and she has to reevaluate her feelings. can she put the past behind her and be by his side like she's done so many times before? or has he caused too much hurt for her to ever forgive him? juice has a heavy load on him. between pierre's confession, his brother's shooting, destiny's hormones, and running things he's got big shoes to fill. in addition to that, budda is still running around wreaking havoc. will he be able to step up and handle things in his brother's absence? or will it be too much for the laidback one of the duo? find out how the crew will survive everything that's coming at them in the final installment of low key fallin for a savage.

New york times bestseller – tarana burke and dr. brené brown bring together a dynamic group of black writers, organizers, artists, academics, and cultural figures to discuss the topics the two have dedicated their lives to understanding and teaching: vulnerability and shame resilience. contributions by kiese laymon, imani perry, laverne cox, jason reynolds, austin channing brown, and more it started as a text between two friends. tarana burke, founder of the 'me too.' movement, texted researcher and writer brené brown to see if she was free to jump on a call. brené assumed that tarana wanted to talk about wallpaper. they had been trading home decorating inspiration boards in their last text conversation so brené started scrolling to find her latest pinterest pictures when the phone rang. but it was immediately clear to brené that the conversation wasn't going to be about wallpaper. tarana's hello was serious and she hesitated for a bit before saying, "brené, you know your work affected me so deeply, but as a black woman, i've sometimes had to feel like i have to contort myself to fit into some of your words. the core of it rings so true for me, but the application has been harder." it makes sense to me. especially in terms of vulnerability. how do you take the armor off in a country where you're not physically or emotionally safe?" long pause. "that's why i'm calling," said tarana. "what do you think about working together on a book about the black experience with vulnerability and shame resilience?" there was no hesitation. burke and brown are the perfect pair to usher in this stark, potent collection of essays on black shame and healing. along with the anthology contributors, they create a space to recognize and process the trauma of white supremacy, a space to be vulnerable and affirm the fullness of black love and black life.

"black girls must die exhausted" is something that 33-year-old tabitha walker has heard her grandmother say before. of course, her grandmother (who happens to be white) was referring to the 1950's and what she observed in the nascent times of civil rights. with a coveted position as a local news reporter, a "paper-perfect" boyfriend, and a standing saturday morning appointment with a reliable hairstylist, tabitha never imagined how this phrase could apply to her as a black girl in contemporary times – until everything changed. an unexpected doctor's diagnosis awakens tabitha to an unperceived culprit, threatening the one thing that has always mattered most – having a family of her own. stress has caused a premature burnout of tabitha's egg reserve, and time is running out on her options to become a wife and mother. with the help of her best friends, the irreverent and headstrong laila and alexis, the former "sexy lexi," tabitha must explore the reaches of modern medicine and test the limits of her relationships. will she risk every comfort to address the complications of her dysfunctionally-blended family and the uncertainty of a future with marc? tabitha's journey brings into view the internal experience of race, relationships, and generational patterns, and how each contributed to this crossroads. she must leverage the power of laughter, love, and courageous self-care to bring a healing stronger than she ever imagined – before the phrase "black girls must die exhausted" takes on a new and unwanted meaning in her own life.

In this epic, beautifully written masterwork, pulitzer prize-winning author isabel wilkerson chronicles one of the great untold stories of american history: the decades-long migration of black citizens who fled the south for northern and western cities, in search of a better life. national book critics circle award winner lynton history prize winner heartland award winner dayton literary peace prize finalist named one of the ten best books of the year by the new york times * usa today * o: the oprah magazine * amazon * publishers weekly * salon * newsday * the daily beast named one of the best books of the year by the new yorker * the washington post * the economist * boston globe * san francisco chronicle * chicago tribune * entertainment weekly * philadelphia inquirer * the guardian * the seattle times * st. louis post-dispatch * the christian science monitor from 1915 to 1970, this exodus of almost six million people changed the face of america. wilkerson compares this epic migration to the migrations of other peoples in history. she interviewed more than a thousand people, and gained access to new data and official records, to write this definitive and vividly dramatic account of how these american journeys unfolded, altering our cities, our country, and ourselves. wilkerson brilliantly captures their first treacherous and exhausting cross-country trips by car and train and their new lives in colonies that grew into ghettos, as well as how they changed these cities with southern food, faith, and culture and improved them with discipline, drive, and hard work. both a riveting microcosm and a major assessment, the warmth of other suns is a bold, remarkable, and riveting work, a superb account of an "unrecognized immigration" within our own land. through the breadth of its narrative, the beauty of the writing, the depth of its research, and the fullness of the people and lives portrayed herein, this book is destined to become a classic.

"black girls must die exhausted" is something that 33-year-old tabitha walker has heard her grandmother say before. of course, her grandmother (who happens to be white) was referring to the 1950's and what she observed in the nascent times of civil rights. with a coveted position as a local news reporter, a "paper-perfect" boyfriend, and a standing saturday morning appointment with a reliable hairstylist, tabitha never imagined how this phrase could apply to her as a black girl in contemporary times – until everything changed. an unexpected doctor's diagnosis awakens tabitha to an unperceived culprit, threatening the one thing that has always mattered most – having a family of her own. stress has caused a premature burnout of tabitha's egg reserve, and time is running out on her options to become a wife and mother. with the help of her best friends, the irreverent and headstrong laila and alexis, the former "sexy lexi," tabitha must explore the reaches of modern medicine and test the limits of her relationships. will she risk every comfort to address the complications of her dysfunctionally-blended family and the uncertainty of a future with marc? tabitha's journey brings into view the internal experience of race, relationships, and generational patterns, and how each contributed to this crossroads. she must leverage the power of laughter, love, and courageous self-care to bring a healing stronger than she ever imagined – before the phrase "black girls must die exhausted" takes on a new and unwanted meaning in her own life.

Black girl in paris wends its way around the mythology or paris as a city that has called out to african-american artists. like james baldwin, langston hughes, and josephine baker before her, youngblood's heroine leaves her home, in the american south, nurturing a dream of finding artistic emancipation in the city of light. she experiments freely, inhabiting different incarnations – artist's model, poet's helper, au pair, teacher, thief, and lover – to keep body and soul together, to stay afloat, heal the wounds of her broken heart, discover her sexual self, and, finally, to wrestle her dreams of becoming a writer into reality.