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BLK Bestsellers List — December 2025

America’s Bestselling Books by Black Writers and Illustrators

Juvenile Nonfiction — December 2025
#1
Months on List: 14
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: 23
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.
#3
Months on List: 21
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.
#4
Months on List: 23
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: 23
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.
#6
Months on List: 23
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.
#7
Months on List: 3
by Clint Smith
Little Brown Books For Young Readers (September 30, 2025), Hardcover
This narrative takes readers on a tour of American historical sites, exploring the legacy of slavery and its influence on the nation's history, highlighting the importance of realistic understanding of the past towards shaping a better future.
#8
Months on List: 18
by Nikole Hannah-jones And Renée Watson
Kokila (November 16, 2021), Hardcover
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.
#9
Months on List: 1
by Kirsti Jewel
Penguin Workshop (November 4, 2025), Trade Paperback
This is a biography of a famous singer, focusing on her solo music career since 2003, that touches on her record-breaking world tours, varied musical genres, and status as the most-awarded person in Grammy history.
#10
Months on List: 10
by Kathy Trusty
Rockridge Press (June 29, 2021), Trade Paperback
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.
#11
Months on List: 11
by Shasta Clinch
Golden Books (September 3, 2024), Hardcover
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.
#12
Months on List: 11
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.
#13
Months on List: 4
by Tony Hillery
Paula Wiseman Books (August 18, 2020), Hardcover
<em>Harlem Grown</em> is an inspiring true story about how one man, with the help of underprivileged school students, transforms an abandoned lot into a thriving urban farm, teaching lessons on teamwork, environmental sustainability, and providing free healthy food for a neighborhood, all beautifully depicted by lively and intricate folk-art illustrations.
#14
Months on List: 19
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.
#15
Months on List: 23
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.
#16
Months on List: 9
by Ruby Bridges
Orchard Books (September 6, 2022), Hardcover
<em>In </em>I Am Ruby Bridges,<em> six-year-old Ruby recounts her historic journey as the first Black child to integrate an all-white Louisiana school in 1960, magnifying the pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement through her innocent, brave perspective, brought vividly to life through the emotive illustrations of NAACP-nominated artist, Nikkolas Smith.</em>
#17
Months on List: 5
by Jamia Wilson
Wide Eyed Editions (January 26, 2021), Board Books
This book serves as a celebration of Black excellence, providing young children with a series of affirmations and introductions to iconic figures who have made significant achievements in various fields.
#18
Months on List: 10
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.
#19
Months on List: 2
by Bria Alston
Golden Books (September 2, 2025), Hardcover
This book is a biography of tennis legend Serena Williams, detailing her relationship with her sister Venus, her achievements such as Olympic gold medals and Grand Slam titles, and her influence on and off the court.
#20
Months on List: 5
by Sherri L. Smith
Penguin Workshop (August 7, 2018), Trade Paperback
In the midst of World War II, the Tuskegee Airmen—an exceptional group of African American pilots—bravely battle prejudice and segregation at home while proving their skills on the European front, forever transforming the US military.

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.