#1
Months on List: 4
This novel unravels the story of a 15-year-old boy grappling with the decision to avenge his brother's murder over a tense 60 seconds in an elevator, his journey complicated by the appearance of figures from his brother's past.
Long Way Down (paperback)
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (April 2, 2019) • 4 Months on List
#2
Months on List: 21
In a stark societal divide, 16-year-old Starr must navigate the backlash of her best friend's police shooting, juggling her community's unrest, her family's endangerment, and the burning question of what truly happened that fateful night.
The Hate U Give: A Printz Honor Winner
by Angie Thomas • Balzer & Bray/harperteen (May 3, 2022) • 21 Months on List
#3
Months on List: 4
This book is a personal story of growing up mixed-race in apartheid-era South Africa, overcoming staggering obstacles through humor and intelligence, backed by a mother's unwavering love and indomitable will, offering a unique perspective on a country's tumultuous racial history.
It’s Trevor Noah: Born A Crime: Stories From A South African Childhood (adapted For Young Readers)
by Trevor Noah • Yearling B (April 7, 2020) • 4 Months on List
#4
Months on List: 19
When 16-year-old Bree Matthews discovers her latent magical abilities and a hidden connection to her mother's mysterious death, she infiltrates a secret society of <em>Legendborn</em> students, descendants of King Arthur's knights, to uncover the truth and decide whether to join their impending magical war or use her powers to destroy them.
Legendborn (reprint)
by Tracy Deonn • Margaret K. Mcelderry Books (February 1, 2022) • 19 Months on List
#5
Months on List: 4
Two teenagers, one black and one white, find their lives and community polarized following an unfounded accusation of theft, police brutality, and racial tension resulting from a single violent encounter.
All American Boys (paperback)
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (August 29, 2017) • 4 Months on List
#6
Months on List: 21
A young inmate, dubbed a 'Monster' by the prosecution, decides to narrate his chilling experience in Manhattan Detention Center through a self-made film, seeking redemption and understanding.
Monster
by Walter Dean Myers • Amistad Books For Young Readers (March 5, 2019) • 21 Months on List
#7
Months on List: 21
In this emotionally gripping debut, honor student Justyce McAllister confronts American race relations, surviving a police brutality incident only to face public scrutiny, and turns to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s teachings for answers in a society where his merits are overshadowed by prejudice.
Dear Martin
by Nic Stone • Ember (September 4, 2018) • 21 Months on List
#8
Months on List: 17
In the West African-inspired fantasy, <em>Children of Blood and Bone,</em> a young woman seeks to restore magic and strike against a ruthless monarchy, battling both outside dangers and her inner turmoil, creating a world of magic, conflict, and self-discovery.
Children Of Blood And Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi • Square Fish (February 27, 2024) • 17 Months on List
#9
Months on List: 15
In the thrilling conclusion of the Legacy of Orïsha series, Zélie must confront King Baldyr, her deadliest foe, and rally new allies in unknown lands, to save her people from annihilation driven by the terrifying Iron Skulls.
Children Of Anguish And Anarchy
by Tomi Adeyemi • Henry Holt (June 25, 2024) • 15 Months on List
#10
Months on List: 5
In this groundbreaking fantasy series, a young, magically gifted teenager on the run from his past uncovers hidden family ties and a world of magical intrigue at an HBCU, discovering his heritage and fighting to protect his loved ones against a reawakened ancient evil.
Blood At The Root (paperback)
by Ladarrion Williams • Labyrinth Road (May 6, 2025) • 5 Months on List
#11
Months on List: 2
The graphic novel depicts the gripping tale of a young man navigating grief and societal rules after his brother's tragic shooting, in a haunting narrative about survival, loss, and the relentless cycle of violence.
Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel (paperback)
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (February 1, 2022) • 2 Months on List
#12
Months on List: 2
A 15-year-old boy embarks on a quest for vengeance for his brother's death, guided and enlightened by seven apparitions that reveal crucial truths.
Long Way Down
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (October 24, 2017) • 2 Months on List
#13
Months on List: 3
A Black teenager attending a magical university for young conjurers seeks to unravel the mysteries of his powers, his newly found family, and his heritage while joining an ancient secret society to protect his community, all while potentially finding love.
Bones At The Crossroads
by Ladarrion Williams • Labyrinth Road (July 29, 2025) • 3 Months on List
#14
Months on List: 8
In this provocative, award-winning graphic novel adaptation of Walter Dean Myers's <em>Monster,</em> teenager Steve Harmon, on trial for murder and robbery, visualizes his harrowing journey through juvenile detention as a cinematic experience, captivating fans and reluctant readers alike with its stunning black-and-white illustrations.
Monster: A Graphic Novel
by Walter Dean Myers • Quill Tree Books (October 20, 2015) • 8 Months on List
#14
Months on List: 6
<em>Stamped</em> provides an illuminating exploration of America's racist history and present, offering insight into the origins of racist ideas and providing tools to debunk them, ultimately guiding teens towards a more antiracist future.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, And You: A Remix Of The National Book Award-winning Stamped From The Beginning
by Jason Reynolds • Little Brown Books For Young Readers (January 7, 2025) • 6 Months on List
#16
Months on List: 9
A grieving seventeen-year-old boy, Matt, navigates life's challenges while working at a local funeral home, until he meets Lovey, a resilient girl with her own troubled past, who helps him learn how to rise up when life keeps pushing him down.
The Boy In The Black Suit (reprint)
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (August 16, 2016) • 9 Months on List
#17
Months on List: 19
A firsthand account of a teenager’s bravery in integrating Little Rock’s Central High School, revealing the harsh realities of racism and the power of resilience in the Civil Rights Movement.
Warriors Don’t Cry: The Searing Memoir Of The Battle To Integrate Little Rock’s Central High
by Melba Pattillo Beals • Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers (July 24, 2007) • 19 Months on List
#18
Months on List: 13
In a high school poetry club, eighteen students bravely reveal their deeply hidden secrets and innermost thoughts, unmasking the struggles that lie beneath the public facade of teenage life.
Bronx Masquerade
by Nikki Grimes • Dial Books (August 8, 2017) • 13 Months on List
#19
Months on List: 19
In the high-stakes thriller <em>Ace of Spades,</em> two ambitious students at an elite academy must outwit an anonymous tormentor who threatens to destroy their futures by unveiling dangerous secrets through a relentless game.
Ace Of Spades
by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé • Square Fish (June 27, 2023) • 19 Months on List
#20
Months on List: 1
When a talented but academically struggling basketball player loses his primary position on his school team to a new European player, he must dig deep and extend his game beyond the court to secure his college prospects and navigate the harsh realities of his urban life.
Game
by Walter Dean Myers • Harperteen (January 27, 2009) • 1 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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