#1
Months on List: 11
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) • 11 Months on List
#2
Months on List: 28
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) • 28 Months on List
#3
Months on List: 26
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) • 26 Months on List
#4
Months on List: 24
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) • 24 Months on List
#5
Months on List: 11
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) • 11 Months on List
#6
Months on List: 28
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) • 28 Months on List
#7
Months on List: 28
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) • 28 Months on List
#8
Months on List: 17
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) • 17 Months on List
#9
Months on List: 11
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) • 11 Months on List
#10
Months on List: 1
In a realm of magic and deception, a young woman seeks to claim the power she feels has long eluded her, navigating a treacherous court filled with secrets, rivalries, and the complexities of attraction.
To Steal A Throne
by Gabi Burton • Bloomsbury Ya (April 7, 2026) • 1 Months on List
#11
Months on List: 2
In this debut YA novel in verse, a sixteen-year-old Black girl finds herself navigating first love and identity while facing the closure of her beloved roller rink due to gentrification, all amidst the vibrant backdrop of her Indianapolis community.
Under The Neon Lights
by Arriel Vinson • G.p. Putnam's Sons Books For Young Readers (June 3, 2025) • 2 Months on List
#12
Months on List: 27
When his spidey-sense starts glitching and his scholarship is threatened, Miles Morales must confront his family’s criminal past, navigate troubling school controversies, and uncover a dangerous plot that imperils his friends, neighborhood and his own future, forcing him to decide if he's truly cut out to be a superhero.
Miles Morales: Spider-man
by Jason Reynolds • Marvel Press (October 2, 2018) • 27 Months on List
#13
Months on List: 22
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) • 22 Months on List
#14
Months on List: 9
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) • 9 Months on List
#15
Months on List: 24
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) • 24 Months on List
#16
Months on List: 5
This is an inspirational poem that serves as a rallying cry for young dreamers, emphasizing the importance of never giving up on their ambitions despite setbacks and struggles.
For Every One
by Jason Reynolds • Atheneum (April 2, 2019) • 5 Months on List
#17
Months on List: 12
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) • 12 Months on List
#18
Months on List: 4
This is a graphic memoir depicting the life and career of a renowned American athlete who took a bold stand against racial injustice during his victory at the 1968 Olympics.
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist For Justice
by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, And Dawud Anyabwile • Norton Young Readers (September 27, 2022) • 4 Months on List
#19
Months on List: 20
In the gritty underworld of Garden Heights, seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter must juggle gang life, fatherhood, and a quest for a better future, testing his loyalties and redefining what it means to be a man after witnessing a brutal murder.
Concrete Rose: A Printz Honor Winner
by Angie Thomas • Balzer & Bray/harperteen (May 3, 2022) • 20 Months on List
#20
Months on List: 11
In <em>On the Come Up,</em> a determined teenager named Bri strives to become a successful rapper while navigating societal stereotypes and personal struggles, in an unflinching tale of overcoming odds to achieve her dreams amid racial and economic barriers.
On The Come Up
by Angie Thomas • Balzer & Bray/harperteen (December 1, 2020) • 11 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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