Everyone deserves a chance to see themselves reflected in the stories they read. As the number of YA novels by Black authors grows, so too does the chance for Black teens to read about an experience relevant to them and their tastes.
This list is by no means exhaustive. It includes a wide range of genres: realistic fiction, historical fiction, sci-fi, even nonfiction. Some authors are award winning veterans, like Jason Reynolds and Sharon G. Flake. Some are hot new voices, like Elisa Bryant and Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite. Scroll to the bottom of this blog for additional authors to explore.
Author: Elizabeth Acevedo
Genres: Realistic fiction, novels in verse
Recent book: Clap When You Land
Author: Tomi Adeyemi
Genres: Fantasy
Recent book: Children of Blood and Bone
Author: Dean Atta
Genres: Realistic fiction, novels in verse
Recent book: The Black Flamingo
Author: Mahogany L. Browne
Genres: Novels in verse
Recent book: Chlorine Sky
Author: Elisa Bryant
Genres: Realistic fiction, romance
Recent book: Happily Ever Afters
Author: Brandy Colbert
Genres: Realistic fiction, romance
Recent book: The Voting Booth
Author: Kara Lee Corthron
Genres: Historical fiction, fantasy
Recent book: Daughters of Jubilation
Author: Sharon Draper
Genres: Realistic fiction
Recent book: Darkness Before Dawn
Author: Tiffany D. Jackson
Genres: Mystery, thriller
Recent book: White Smoke
Author: Kim Johnson
Genres: Realistic fiction
Recent book: This Is My America
Author: Kekla Magoon
Genres: Nonfiction, realistic fiction
Recent book: Revolution in Our Time
Author: L.L. McKinney
Genres: Fantasy
Recent book: A Blade So Black
Author: Brittney Morris
Genres: Realistic fiction, fantasy
Recent book: The Cost of Knowing
Authors: Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite
Genres: Realistic fiction
Recent book: One of the Good Ones
Author: Walter Dean Myers
Genres: Realistic fiction, historical fiction
Recent book: Darius & Twig
Author: Tochi Onyebuchi
Genres: Science fiction
Recent book: Rebel Sisters
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genres: Realistic fiction, novels in verse, nonfiction
Recent book: Stamped
Author: Ilyasah Shabazz
Genres: Historical fiction
Recent book: The Awakening of Malcolm X
Author: Nic Stone
Genres: Realistic fiction
Recent book: Dear Justyce
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Genres: Historical fiction
Recent book: All the Days Past, All the Days to Come
Author: Julian Winters
Genres: Realistic fiction
Recent book: Running With Lions
Author: Ibi Zoboi
Genres: Realistic fiction
Recent book: Punching the Air
Additional authors:
- Kwame Alexander
- Rena Barron
- Roseanne A. Brown
- Kacen Callender
- Dhonielle Clayton
- Somaiya Daud
- Tanita S. Davis
- Tracy Deonn
- Akwaeke Emezi
- Sharon G. Flake
- Kristina Forest
- Namina Forna
- Lamar Giles
- Nikki Grimes
- Pamela N. Harris
- Candice Iloh
- Justina Ireland
- Alaya Dawn Johnson
- Angela Johnson
- Leah Johnson
- Candice Montgomery
- Bethany C. Morrow
- Ben Philippe
- Justin A. Reynolds
- Francina Simone
- Liara Tamani
- Angie Thomas
- Renée Watson
- Rita Williams-Garcia
- Ashley Woodfolk
- Jacqueline Woodson
- Nicola Yoon
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