Combining two wonderful things, books for young readers and Black History Month, I give you a list of 9 worthy reads by African American authors making literary history this year. Some of these are debuts, while others are by authors who have already made their mark and now have more to offer. Some of these titles have already come out, and some are on the way, so be on the lookout!

Young Adult

DEAR HAITI, LOVE ALAINE by Maika Moulite. From the publisher — and how cool and intriguing does this sound?!

“Quick-witted high school journalist Alaine Beauparlant gets booted from her elite private school after an intricate prank goes cruelly awry. She warily accepts an invitation from her aunt to spend her suspension at the family’s estate in Haiti–where her estranged mom is recuperating from a political fiasco. In her homeland for the first time, Alaine is immediately put to work at her aunt’s start-up helping native children in need. Alaine meets locals, interacts with kids connected to donors, and is shown the ropes by Jason, a fellow intern whose charming ways are making work a bit more challenging. What she doesn’t expect to find are letters, articles, emails, and diary entries that she compiles into a final project that will not only save her academic standing in school, but also help her finally know the mother she’s never really understood.”

WATCH US RISE by Renée Watson and Ellen Hagan

A story of friendship between two young women across racial lines. From the publisher: “Jasmine and Chelsea are sick of the way women are treated even at their progressive NYC high school, so they decide to start a Women’s Rights Club. They post everything online—poems, essays, videos of Chelsea performing her poetry, and Jasmine’s response to the racial macro-aggressions she experiences—and soon they go viral. But with such positive support, the club is also targeted by online trolls. When things escalate, the principal shuts the club down. Jasmine and Chelsea will risk everything for their voices—and those of other young women—to be heard.” 

I WANNA BE WHERE YOU ARE by Kristina Forest, a debut YA novel featuring a road trip to a forbidden audition. And a love story, of course! Coming in June. Read more here.

BLACK ENOUGH: Stories of Being Young & Black In America, by Ibi Zoboi

Edited by VCFA alumna and National Book Award Finalist, and filled with the most vibrant black voices of our time, this anthology of short stories takes a look at all shades of blackness today. From the publisher: “[the anthology will] delve into the closeted thoughts, hidden experiences, and daily struggles of black teens across the country. From a spectrum of backgrounds—urban and rural, wealthy and poor, mixed race, immigrants, and more—Black Enough showcases diversity within diversity.” This came out in January, and now it is something else that I’ve just GOT TO read!

ON THE COME UP by Angie Thomas

Critics are raving about this follow-up to Angie Thomas’ powerful debut THE HATE U GIVE. This one is about a 16-year old aspiring rapper, whose “underground rapper legend” dad “died before he hit it big.

Middle Grade

A GOOD KIND OF TROUBLE by Lisa Ramee, coming March 12!

From the publisher: “Twelve-year-old Shayla is allergic to trouble. All she wants to do is to follow the rules. (Oh, and she’d also like to make it through seventh grade with her best friendships intact, learn to run track, and have a cute boy see past her giant forehead.) But in junior high, it’s like all the rules have changed. Now she’s suddenly questioning who her best friends are and some people at school are saying she’s not black enough. Wait, what?” Such an interesting concept (a girl who hates trouble and ends up in it anyway!), done for that rare and tricky upper Middle Grade category. Bring it!

GENESIS BEGINS AGAIN by Alicia D. Williams

From the publisher: “This deeply sensitive and powerful debut novel tells the story of a thirteen-year-old who must overcome internalized racism and a verbally abusive family to finally learn to love herself.” Wow. Sounds like an incredibly profound upper middle-grade read. It just came out in January.

JUST SOUTH OF HOME, by Karen Strong, coming May 7th, a middle-grade from a debut author. From the publisher: “Cousins Sarah and Janie unearth a tragic event in their small Southern town’s history in this witty middle grade debut novel that’s perfect for fans of Stella by Starlight, The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing, and As Brave as You.” Read more here.

Young Children’s

THE KING OF KINDERGARTEN by Derrick Barnes. From the publisher: “A confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten, by the Newbery Honor-winning author of Crown.” I am extra excited about this one, because I worked with Derrick when I was a literary agency intern for his super agent Regina Brooks (which wasn’t as long ago as you might think, hehe). And looking at this description, I can already just feel his awesome writing voice and spirit come through. Yes, I was an early fan. Can’t wait till July, when this baby is out!

FAST ENOUGH: Bessie Stringfield’s First Ride by Joel Christian Gill

From the publisher, again, this is just too perfect: “Have you ever been told that you’re not enough? That you’re not strong enough, tall enough, fast enough? Bessie was told she was not enough. Bessie dreams of riding her bike with the boys after school, but they tell her she is not fast enough. When she finally gets a chance to race, she proves not only that she is fast enough, but she is faster. Fast Enough combines an imagined story of Bessie Stringfield as a young girl with historical facts about Bessie as an adult. Bessie Stringfield went on to become the first African-American woman to travel solo across the United States on a motorcycle. Not only was she fast, but she was a true adventurer, daring to ride to places unsafe for African Americans in the 1930s and ’40s. Fast Enough is an inspirational story for anyone who’s been told they are not enough.” 

So well said! Just came out, also!

So, what did I miss? (Let me know in the comments, and I will be happy to update!)

And which of these are you dying to get your hands on?