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BLK Bestsellers List — July 2025

America’s Bestselling Books by Black Writers and Illustrators

Juvenile Nonfiction — July 2025
#1
Months on List: 9
by Mellody Hobson
Candlewick (October 1, 2024), Hardcover
A fun and engaging introduction to financial literacy for kids, exploring the history, language, and mechanics of money with humor and lively illustrations.
#2
Months on List: 14
by Arlisha Norwood
Rockridge Press (May 24, 2022), Trade Paperback
A kid-friendly introduction to Juneteenth, exploring its history, significance, and lasting impact through engaging storytelling and illustrations.
#3
Months on List: 18
by Margot Lee Shetterly
Harpercollins (November 29, 2016), Trade Paperback
This book tells the true story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who significantly contributed to several crucial moments in the space program with their mathematical calculations.
#4
Months on List: 18
by Jacqueline Woodson
Nancy Paulsen Books (October 11, 2016), Trade Paperback
In her evocative memoir told through poetry, Jacqueline Woodson navigates her dual identity growing up in the racially charged 1960s and 1970s South Carolina and New York, capturing her struggle with literacy, discovery of the joy of story-writing, and her journey to self-awareness amidst the backdrop of the Civil Rights movement.
#5
Months on List: 16
by Sonya Renee Taylor
Rockridge Press (May 29, 2018), Trade Paperback
A comprehensive, body-positive guide that empowers young girls to confidently navigate puberty, providing practical advice on physical changes, emotional management, social relations, and self-care routines.
#6
Months on List: 18
by Vashti Harrison
Lb Kids (October 16, 2018), Board Books
<em>Dream Big, Little One</em> is a captivating board book adaptation of Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, spotlighting 18 groundbreaking black women who have powerfully influenced American history and inspiring young readers to dream without limits and make their own positive impact on the world.
#7
Months on List: 18
by Crystal Hubbard
Penguin Workshop (February 7, 2023), Trade Paperback
This book chronicles the life of a boy from Ohio who became an international basketball superstar, winning numerous championships, earning two Olympic gold medals, and achieving success in other fields like writing and acting.
#8
Months on List: 3
by Kadir Nelson
Little Brown Books For Young Readers (January 8, 2008), Hardcover
This book delves into the history of the Negro League, exploring the struggles and triumphs of players set against the backdrop of social and political change in the first half of the 20th century.
#9
Months on List: 5
by Kadir Nelson
Balzer & Bray/harperteen (December 23, 2013), Trade Paperback
<em>Heart and Soul</em> is a poignant and inspiring exploration of America and African Americans' history, told through the intimate narrative of a 100-year-old African-American woman, unveiling the courage, struggle, and triumphs that led to their freedom and equal rights, ultimately shaping the nation's commitment to liberty and justice.
#10
Months on List: 5
by Kirsti Jewel
Penguin Workshop (April 5, 2022), Trade Paperback
This book explores the history and significance of Juneteenth, a holiday marking the end of slavery in the United States, through stories of past and present celebrations, complemented by illustrations and photographs.
#11
Months on List: 1
by Jacqueline Woodson
Nancy Paulsen Books (January 7, 2010), Trade Paperback
An 11-year-old boy, orphaned by a fire and separated from his sister in the foster system, learns to express his feelings through poetry while yearning to reunite his divided family.
#12
Months on List: 4
by Alice Faye Duncan
Tommy Nelson (January 11, 2022), Hardcover
<em>Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free</em> is an inspiring children's book highlighting the life and work of Black activist Opal Lee, her fight for national recognition of Juneteenth, and imparting the values of equality, bravery, and persistence to young readers.
#13
Months on List: 3
by Alliah L. Agostini
Becker & Mayer (June 17, 2022), Trade Paperback
The book is an illustrated historical journey for children, chronicling how Juneteenth evolved from its inception in 1865 to becoming a national holiday in 2021.
#14
Months on List: 2
by Ibram X. Kendi
Farrar, Straus And Giroux (byr) (May 13, 2025), Hardcover
In this riveting narrative biography, acclaimed author Ibram X. Kendi paints an intimate, context-rich portrait of Malcolm X's journey from birth to death, revealing the impactful American's enduring legacy in the pursuit of anti-racism, enriched with exclusive archival documents and photographs, 100 years after his birth.
#15
Months on List: 1
by Charles R. Smith Jr.
Amistad Books For Young Readers (January 6, 2015), Trade Paperback
This book tells the true story of how the White House was built by numerous individuals, including slaves, who endured brutal conditions and mastered trades that led to their eventual freedom.
#16
Months on List: 2
by Dorena Williamson
Worthykids (May 3, 2022), Board Books
This children's board book introduces young readers to the origins and contemporary celebrations of Juneteenth, a holiday marking the end of slavery in America.
#17
Months on List: 18
by Rio Cortez
Workman Publishing (December 8, 2020), Hardcover
<em>The ABCs of Black History</em> is a captivating journey through the highs and lows of Black history and culture, revealing significant moments, influential figures, and powerful themes, all artfully framed within the format of an alphabetic guide.
#18
Months on List: 6
by Jason Reynolds
Atheneum (October 3, 2023), Hardcover
The book explores the influence of a renowned African American author on succeeding writers, using the backdrop of a 1991 celebration at a major cultural center in New York City.
#19
Months on List: 5
by Jason Reynolds And Ibram X. Kendi
Little Brown Books For Young Readers (April 9, 2024), Trade Paperback
In this powerful adaptation of the bestseller Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, young readers journey through the history of racism and its opposition in America, guided by the research of Ibram X. Kendi and the writing of Jason Reynolds and Sonja Cherry-Paul, learning to recognize and combat racist ideas in their own lives.
#20
Months on List: 2
by Nikkolas Smith
Kokila (May 20, 2025), Hardcover
In 'The History of We', bestselling illustrator Nikkolas Smith creates a visually striking journey through the birth and evolution of humanity, spotlighting the ingenuity of our African ancestors and their contributions to art, music, medicine, and exploration, in a narration that centers Black people in humankind's origin story.

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.