#1
Months on List: 20
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.
Brown Girl Dreaming
by Jacqueline Woodson • Nancy Paulsen Books (October 11, 2016) • 20 Months on List
#2
Months on List: 18
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.
Celebrate Your Body (and Its Changes, Too!): The Ultimate Puberty Book For Girls
by Sonya Renee Taylor • Rockridge Press (May 29, 2018) • 18 Months on List
#3
Months on List: 20
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.
Hidden Figures Young Readers’ Edition
by Margot Lee Shetterly • Harpercollins (November 29, 2016) • 20 Months on List
#4
Months on List: 20
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.
Who Is Lebron James?
by Crystal Hubbard • Penguin Workshop (February 7, 2023) • 20 Months on List
#5
Months on List: 11
A fun and engaging introduction to financial literacy for kids, exploring the history, language, and mechanics of money with humor and lively illustrations.
Priceless Facts About Money
by Mellody Hobson • Candlewick (October 1, 2024) • 11 Months on List
#6
Months on List: 20
<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.
Dream Big, Little Leader
by Vashti Harrison • Lb Kids (October 16, 2018) • 20 Months on List
#7
Months on List: 2
In this powerful compilation of inspiring letters, the author uses his experiences as a motivational speaker to redefine success for young men, guiding them toward educational achievements, self-respect, and community involvement amidst today's misleading media portrayals.
Letters To A Young Brother: Manifest Your Destiny
by Hill Harper • Avery Publishing Group (May 1, 2007) • 2 Months on List
#8
Months on List: 12
This inspirational picture book tells the true story of four brilliant African American women who overcame racial and gender barriers, using their mathematical genius to help NASA successfully launch the first men into space.
Hidden Figures: The True Story Of Four Black Women And The Space Race
by Margot Lee Shetterly • Harpercollins (January 16, 2018) • 12 Months on List
#9
Months on List: 7
This book introduces children to the lives and innovations of 15 Black inventors who significantly advanced science, technology, engineering, and math with their creations ranging from the first wooden clock to web animation.
Black Inventors: 15 Inventions That Changed The World
by Kathy Trusty • Rockridge Press (June 29, 2021) • 7 Months on List
#10
Months on List: 7
This is a collection of original poems, crafted using "The Golden Shovel" poetic method, inspired by Harlem Renaissance-era poets, paired with unique art from contemporary African American illustrators, providing emotional, thought-provoking content with relevance for modern readers.
One Last Word: Wisdom From The Harlem Renaissance
by Nikki Grimes • Bloomsbury Publishing Plc (August 4, 2020) • 7 Months on List
#11
Months on List: 16
A kid-friendly introduction to Juneteenth, exploring its history, significance, and lasting impact through engaging storytelling and illustrations.
The History Of Juneteenth: A History Book For New Readers
by Arlisha Norwood • Rockridge Press (May 24, 2022) • 16 Months on List
#12
Months on List: 13
<em>Little Leaders</em> is a beautifully illustrated, inspiring book featuring the life stories of forty trailblazing black women in American history who defied societal norms, broke barriers, and inspired future generations with their extraordinary actions and achievements.
Little Leaders: Bold Women In Black History
by Vashti Harrison • Little Brown Books For Young Readers (December 5, 2017) • 13 Months on List
#13
Months on List: 15
In this stunning picture book, a young student delves into her family's ancestral past, tracing their journey from Africa to America, their resilience in surviving slavery, and their enduring spirit of hope, portrayed through lyrical verses by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning Renée Watson, adorned with striking illustrations by Nikkolas Smith.
Born On The Water: The 1619 Project
by Nikole Hannah-jones And Renée Watson • Kokila (November 16, 2021) • 15 Months on List
#14
Months on List: 9
This book is a biography for young readers that shares the riveting story of a philanthropist, superstar basketball player, and all-time leading scorer in the NBA.
Lebron James: A Little Golden Book Biography
by Shasta Clinch • Golden Books (September 3, 2024) • 9 Months on List
#15
Months on List: 20
<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.
The Abcs Of Black History
by Rio Cortez • Workman Publishing (December 8, 2020) • 20 Months on List
#16
Months on List: 3
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.
The History Of We
by Nikkolas Smith • Kokila (May 20, 2025) • 3 Months on List
#17
Months on List: 8
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.
There Was A Party For Langston
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (October 3, 2023) • 8 Months on List
#18
Months on List: 17
This is the biography of an American singer, rising from humble beginnings in Texas, through her time as lead singer of one of the best-selling girl groups, to becoming an inspirational superstar and role model.
Beyonce: A Little Golden Book Biography
by Lavaille Lavette • Golden Books (January 3, 2023) • 17 Months on List
#19
Months on List: 4
This is a treasured picture book featuring Dr. Martin Luther King's iconic civil rights speech, illustrated by Caldecott Medal-winner Kadir Nelson, showcasing timeless themes of equality and freedom, and offering young readers a poignant introduction to our nation's history.
I Have A Dream
by Martin Luther King, Jr. • Dragonfly Books (November 26, 2024) • 4 Months on List
#20
Months on List: 8
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.
Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, And You
by Jason Reynolds And Ibram X. Kendi • Little Brown Books For Young Readers (April 9, 2024) • 8 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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