Kids’ Summer Reading Picks with Black Protagonists
Written By Eliza Colón
by David Barclay Moore
Faced with some difficult choices, twelve year old Lolly Rachpaul is navigating the streets of Harlem after the death of his brother. Young readers will resonate with Lolly, celebrate being different and understand the meaning of community in this telling novel.
by Ibi Zoboi and others
This collection of stories captures what it is like to be young and Black in America, regardless of background. A must read for all teens that might be battling an inner conflict in regards to what makes us black enough.
by Brittney Morris
Kiera Johnson is our highly intelligent, seventeen year old protagonist with an alternate identity in a virtual game world for Black gamers. After another teen is murdered in a dispute over the game Kiera created, her whole life begins to crumble beneath her.
by Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely
A young Black teen is accused of stealing from a bodega and then attacked by a police officer. The witness, a young white teen, is stuck between doing what is right and defending someone he knows and loves.
by Matthew A. Cherry, Vashti Harrison
Zuri has the most beautiful hair, and sometimes it has a mind of its own. When the time calls for a special occasion, Dad is called to help care for Zuri’s coils. An ode to natural hair and great Black fathers everywhere.
by Lupita Nyong’o
Join Sulwe on her journey of learning to love her beautiful black skin. Filled with gorgeous illustrations, this book will teach your little one how to own their unique beauty.
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