#1
Months on List: 12
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) • 12 Months on List
#2
Months on List: 14
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) • 14 Months on List
#3
Months on List: 14
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) • 14 Months on List
#4
Months on List: 2
When the sun goes missing, a joyful young girl sets out to find it, only to discover that the light she’s searching for may have been within her all along.
Hello There, Sunshine
by Tabitha Brown • Harpercollins (March 11, 2025) • 2 Months on List
#5
Months on List: 9
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) • 9 Months on List
#6
Months on List: 10
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) • 10 Months on List
#7
Months on List: 13
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) • 13 Months on List
#8
Months on List: 1
In an empowering testament to individual strength and collective effort, a courageous hummingbird spearheads a mission to save her home from a raging fire, proving that everyone, regardless of size, can make a significant impact on the world.
The Littlest Drop
by Sascha Alper • Anne Schwartz Books (April 1, 2025) • 1 Months on List
#9
Months on List: 6
This sequel provides a humorous and visually appealing look into the life of a girl on the verge of becoming a teenager.
Dork Diaries 2: Tales From A Not-so-popular Party Girl
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (June 8, 2010) • 6 Months on List
#10
Months on List: 8
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) • 8 Months on List
#11
Months on List: 1
An eleven-year-old boy embarks on an unconventional road trip through historical Civil Rights landmarks with his eccentric grandmother, grappling with contemporary race relations and family secrets, all while learning the world isn't always welcoming for kids like him.
Clean Getaway
by Nic Stone • Yearling B (January 5, 2021) • 1 Months on List
#12
Months on List: 2
In this heartwarming tale by Emmy-winning talk show host Tamron Hall, young Moses embarks on a lively journey through Harlem’s iconic landmarks, makes new friends, and learns valuable lessons about the meaning of home, all while helping his neighbor deliver jars of honey to the locals.
Harlem Honey: The Adventures Of A Curious Kid
by Tamron Hall • Harpercollins (March 25, 2025) • 2 Months on List
#13
Months on List: 16
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) • 16 Months on List
#14
Months on List: 14
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) • 14 Months on List
#15
Months on List: 8
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) • 8 Months on List
#16
Months on List: 4
In the third installment of the bestselling Dork Diaries series, scholarship student Nikki Maxwell enters a major talent competition at her school, aiming to win the top prize to protect her dad's job as a school exterminator and preserve her reputation.
Dork Diaries 3: Tales From A Not-so-talented Pop Star
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (June 7, 2011) • 4 Months on List
#17
Months on List: 7
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) • 7 Months on List
#18
Months on List: 7
In the thirteenth installment of the bestselling Dork Diaries series, Nikki Maxwell grapples with budget restrictions from her mom as she tries to plan an epic birthday party, while unexpected help and twists ensure a birthday she will never forget.
Dork Diaries 13: Tales From A Not-so-happy Birthday
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (October 16, 2018) • 7 Months on List
#19
Months on List: 3
In the ninth installment of the bestselling Dork Diaries series, Nikki Maxwell's personal diary falls into the wrong hands, turning her worst nightmare into a dismal reality, and exposing her secrets to the world through the eyes of her arch-nemesis, Mackenzie.
Dork Diaries 9: Tales From A Not-so-dorky Drama Queen
by Rachel Renée Russell • Aladdin Paperbacks (June 2, 2015) • 3 Months on List
#20
Months on List: 12
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) • 12 Months on List
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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.
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