#1
Months on List: 10
Born with cerebral palsy, Melody, 10, has never spoken a word. She is a brilliant fifth grader trapped in an uncontrollable body.
Out Of My Mind
by Sharon M. Draper • Atheneum (May 1, 2012) • 10 Months on List
#2
Months on List: 12
Nikki Maxwell deals with the trials and triumphs of middle school in this fifteenth installment of the Dork Diaries series!
Dork Diaries 15: Tales From A Not-so-posh Paris Adventure
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (September 26, 2023) • 12 Months on List
#3
Months on List: 10
On their 25th anniversary road trip to Birmingham, Alabama, during a pivotal time in the civil rights movement, the Watson family unknowingly head towards one of America's darkest moments, learning the power of laughter and family amidst adversity.
The Watsons Go To Birmingham—1963
by Christopher Paul Curtis • Yearling B (September 8, 1997) • 10 Months on List
#4
Months on List: 7
Seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics.
New Kid (paperback)
by Jerry Craft • Quill Tree Books (February 5, 2019) • 7 Months on List
#5
Months on List: 4
This children's book, inspired by the life of the first African American woman to travel in space, encourages young girls to aspire towards their dreams, emphasizing the power of curiosity, intelligence, determination, and the importance of parental support in achieving success.
Mae Among The Stars
by Roda Ahmed • Harpercollins (January 9, 2018) • 4 Months on List
#6
Months on List: 12
In this humorous and heartwarming diary-style narrative, eighth-grader Nikki Maxwell navigates the challenges of a new school, balancing friendships, crushes, family antics, and a riveting rivalry in a school-wide art competition.
Dork Diaries 1: Tales From A Not-so-fabulous Life
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (June 2, 2009) • 12 Months on List
#7
Months on List: 2
In this young urban fantasy, Jaxon and his friends must break the rules and navigate the streets of Brooklyn to safely deliver mischievous baby dragons to a mystical world, under the guidance of a witch who's not quite his grandmother.
Dragons In A Bag
by Zetta Elliott • Yearling B (August 13, 2019) • 2 Months on List
#8
Months on List: 13
This is an alphabet board book that takes young readers on a journey through the beauty and diversity of Black hair, from Afros to Waves, while teaching them their ABCs.
Hair Love Abcs
by Matthew A. Cherry • Kokila (August 29, 2023) • 13 Months on List
#9
Months on List: 14
In the inspiring picture book, <em>Something, Someday,</em> by acclaimed presidential inaugural poet Amanda Gorman and award-winning illustrator Christian Robinson, readers are shown how even the smallest actions can create meaningful change in a world that often feels broken.
Something, Someday
by Amanda Gorman • Viking Books For Young Readers (September 26, 2023) • 14 Months on List
#10
Months on List: 9
In the heartwarming picture book <em>Hair Love,</em> a black father must overcome the challenge of styling his daughter's unruly hair for a special occasion, fostering a bond of love and self-acceptance between them, penned by Academy-Award winning director Matthew A. Cherry and bestselling illustrator Vashti Harrison.
Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry • Kokila (May 14, 2019) • 9 Months on List
#11
Months on List: 12
A young girl, once lauded for her maturity, battles societal pressure and criticism regarding her size, ultimately learning to embrace her uniqueness and discover true self-love.
Big
by Vashti Harrison • Little Brown Books For Young Readers (May 2, 2023) • 12 Months on List
#12
Months on List: 5
In this debut picture book by award-winning actress and mental health advocate Taraji P. Henson, children learn to tackle their anxieties about fitting in and celebrate the joy of friendship through authenticity.
You Can Be A Good Friend (no Matter What!): A Lil Tj Book
by Taraji P. Henson • Zonderkidz (June 18, 2024) • 5 Months on List
#13
Months on List: 8
In the midst of racial indignities and rural Southern racism during the Depression, a black family finds strength, pride, and resilience through their fierce bond to each other and their cherished land.
Roll Of Thunder, Hear My Cry
by Mildred D. Taylor • Puffin Books (November 27, 2001) • 8 Months on List
#14
Months on List: 3
In this inspiring sequel to their New York Times bestselling book, authors Jacqueline Woodson and Rafael López explore the power of imagination and resilience, as two siblings utilize the wisdom of their grandmother to overcome boredom and quarrels, ultimately gaining a greater understanding of their ancestral strength.
The Year We Learned To Fly
by Jacqueline Woodson • Nancy Paulsen Books (January 4, 2022) • 3 Months on List
#15
Months on List: 11
Three sisters journey from Brooklyn to Oakland to reconnect with their estranged poet mother, only to find themselves enrolled in a Black Panther summer camp.
One Crazy Summer
by Rita Williams-garcia • Quill Tree Books (December 27, 2011) • 11 Months on List
#16
Months on List: 5
In this inspiring picture book, a young girl embarks on a musical journey, teaching a diverse cast of characters about their power to effect change in the world, their communities, and themselves, brought to life through lyrical prose by Amanda Gorman and vibrant illustrations by Loren Long.
Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem
by Amanda Gorman • Viking Books For Young Readers (September 21, 2021) • 5 Months on List
#17
Months on List: 6
When Nikki Maxwell lands her dream summer tour as an opening act for a world-famous band, her excitement turns into a nightmare as she has to share her journey and even her room with her crafty frenemy, MacKenzie Hollister, turning her dream tour from awesome to awful.
Dork Diaries 14: Tales From A Not-so-best Friend Forever
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (October 22, 2019) • 6 Months on List
#18
Months on List: 7
In the aftermath of his unjust death, 12-year-old ghost Jerome, guided by the spirit of Emmett Till, navigates the complexities of racism, history, and loss, while sparking change in the living world through an unlikely connection with the daughter of the police officer who killed him.
Ghost Boys
by Jewell Parker Rhodes • Little Brown Books For Young Readers (September 10, 2019) • 7 Months on List
#19
Months on List: 5
In this uplifting picture book, a young, dynamic Black protagonist embraces his unique attributes and resilience, despite misunderstandings and adversity, asserting his potential as a future leader and reminding readers of the everyday superheroes amongst us.
I Am Every Good Thing
by Derrick Barnes • Nancy Paulsen Books (September 1, 2020) • 5 Months on List
#20
Months on List: 7
A picture book that reminds us that tomorrow's success starts with the promises we make to ourselves and our community today.
I Promise
by Lebron James • Harpercollins (August 11, 2020) • 7 Months on List
Browse March 2025 Categories
BLK Related Links
AALBC Related Links
Sales Data Source: Circana BookScan. Represents U.S. print sales from thousands of retailers.
Methodology: Books are categorized and filtered for Black Authors by the African American Literature Book Club. This list is a sneak peek into the Black Book Accelerator initiative.
Advertisement
