NEW Multicultural Children's & YA Books September 2024

So many wonderful new multicultural children’s and YA books this month! Our September favourites are The Littlest Food Critic (Babies & Toddlers), The Magic Callaloo (Preschool), Zion’s Crown (Elementary School), Weirdo (Middle School), and Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote (High School).

You can buy the books on this list from Amazon USA by clicking on the book titles or images or from my Bookshop page.

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NEW Multicultural Children’s & YA Books September 2024

Babies & Toddlers

I Love You Like a Rainbow
by Lala Watkins

“I love you so RED, you’re the apple of my eye. I love you so ORANGE, you’re my peachy surprise.” Featuring a rainbow-shaped die-cut and shiny mirror that peeks through the cover, I Love You Like A Rainbow is a sweet interactive novelty book that celebrates all the colors of love. With simple heartfelt text and adorable illustrations on every page, this sweet board book is a must-have for every first library! ~ Diverse – Babies & Toddlers

The Littlest Food Critic
by Debbie Rigaud

Little Sebastian has a lot of opinions when it comes to food, so his parents call him their own baby food critic! He even has a personal rating system, from one to five binkies, and he’s prepared to knock off a binky or two if his food is too gooey, doesn’t smell quite right, or is touching other food. When a restaurant outing throws him for a loop, a one-binky review seems inevitable . . . but then his parents save the day and Sebastian realizes the special ingredient they’ve been adding to every meal—one that definitely deserves five binkies! The Littlest Food Critic is an adorable picture book about a sweet little picky eater who is learning to appreciate nourishing food. ~ African – Babies & Toddlers

Let’s Put That Away!
by C. Shearer & J. Teplin

Spend the day with a diverse bunch of friends as they go about taking things out and putting them away. Playing with blocks and reading books are all great fun! Do you know where they go when you’re done? On shelves or in baskets, in containers or drawers—let’s explore all the places you can organize and store. When that’s all done and everything’s back in order, you’ll see you’ve found the perfect way to end the day. Let’s Put That Away! is a charming board book about the joy of a tidy space. ~ Diverse – Babies & Toddlers

Baby Dunks-a-Lot
by Jayson Tatum

Inspired by Jayson Tatum’s life as both an NBA superstar and a loving dad, Baby Dunks-A-Lot is a laugh-out-loud picture book about a baby turned basketball superstar. When a big kid teaches his little brother how to play basketball for the first time, something unusual happens . . . baby bro flies through the air for a monster dunk! Before long, every professional team wants the incredible dunking baby on their roster. Baby Dunks-A-Lot is poised to become a basketball legend—that is, until he misses his bedtime. ~ Arican – Babies & Toddlers

Preschool

My Hair Can
by Matt Forte

“My hair has roots from many places under the sun, telling the story of my ancestors and where I come from. I can shake my hair like a baby with a rattle, or cut it all off to support my friend’s battle.” What can your hair do? From cool curls to crisp fades, from long locs, to beaded braids, bright illustrations of diverse children burst from each page inspiring self-love and positive self-esteem. But hair love is more than knots, locs, and mohawks. Discover the power of cutting your hair in solidarity with a sick friend or celebrating your heritage with hairstyles from your ancestral roots. My Hair Can Celebrate is a joyful, rhyming picture book that invites girls and boys to embrace their natural hair with an uplifting reminder of their self-worth. ~ African – Preschool

The Man Who Didn’t Like Animals
by Deborah Underwood

There once was a man who loved his tidy home and who didn’t like animals. Then one day, a cat appeared. The man and the cat both liked napping and watching the rain and eating dinner precisely at six. Well, maybe this one animal could stay. Next came a dog… Delightfully illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist LeUyen Pham, The Man Who Did Not Like Animals is a freshly imagined Old MacDonald story that celebrates the joy of embracing new perspectives. ~ Diverse – Preschool

Light
by Ruth Foreman

“My eyes carry stars / my eyes see you / and smile.” A boy visits a planetarium with his father and brother for a night of stargazing that opens him to the infinitely bright universe. Brightly illustrated Light is a luminous and poetic board book from bestselling author Ruth Forman. ~ African -Preschool

Also available: One // Bloom // Glow // Ours // Curls

The Magic Callaloo
by Trish Cook

Long, long ago in a village far, far away there grew a callaloo plant whose leaves made wishes come true. The villagers tenderly cared for their beloved callaloo, until one day, a greedy, selfish man wished to have the plant all to himself. In that village lived a husband and wife who desperately longed for a child, but without the callaloo to grant their wish, they remained childless. So when a wise old woman appeared from nowhere and told them how to find the plant, they bravely fought dragons and snakes until they reached the last remaining leaf, and their wish for a child finally came true. But as often happens in tales of magic, wishes are only the beginning… Set in a vibrant Caribbean landscape, The Magic of Callaloo is a modern retelling of “Rapunzel”, inspired by tales of enslaved Africans following secret paths to freedom. ~ African -Preschool

L Is for Love
by Atinuke

L is for lemons, and L is for lingering before leaving home. L is for everything to look at along the way: lightning and lazy lions and a lonely leopard. L is for the loud, large city where you will sell your sunny fruit—L is for Lagos! L is for the light streaming out of your windows as you arrive home late at night. And best of all . . . L is for love. Part buoyant alphabet book, part immersion in the joyful bustle of a busy Nigerian marketplace, L Is For Love is a feast for the senses brimming with rich detail and visual humor. ~ African – Preschool

Peace on Earth
by S. Prasdam-Halls

“Peace on earth . . . / Let friends be found! / Let laughter ring, let joy abound. What does peace look like? It can begin with a smile or a wave; it can be found in nature, in friendships, and in shared adventures. But when dark clouds and harsh words appear, it takes brave hearts and kind hands to restore love, friendship, and joy. Peace On Earth is a warm, heartfelt, and strikingly illustrated story about choosing to be a peacemaker, even during difficult times, and the jubilance that peace ushers in. ~ Diverse – Preschool

The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands
by Resma Menakem

As children and their caregivers read The Stories from My Grandmother’s Hands, they will learn to value the gifts of their caregivers and grandmothers, and how they teach them to recognize energies in their own bodies, through cultural somatic practices. It is an interactive experience to be shared between generations. By reading these simple practices together, children learn that they and their people are not defective, and that things happened to their people before they got here. ~ African -Preschool

How to Tantrum Like a Champion: Ten Small Ways to Temper Big Feelings
by Allan Wolf

“Your hands turn into iron fists. Your giggles are all gone. Your body’s trying to tell you there’s a tantrum coming on.” Sometimes your day doesn’t go how you planned it. Or there’s too much noise, and the light is way too bright. Small feelings can turn into overpowering feelings, and now there’s a tightening in your chest or a pounding in your head. A tantrum is coming, and it feels like it can’t be stopped, but you’re not worried, because you know what to do! You start with a deep breath, and a slow count from one to ten. Then maybe you’ll break into a silly dance, or find a cozy, comfy hideaway, or play an easy game by yourself so you can win. Soon enough, those big feelings will quiet down again—because you know how to tantrum like a champion. With a playful text and dynamic illustrations, How To Tantrum Like A Champion teaches little readers deal with overwhelming feelings. ~ Diverse – Preschool

Esi the Brave (Who Was Not Afraid of Anything)
by Bernard Mensah

Esi is a brave Ghanaian girl who is not afraid of anything. Monsters and ghosts should be scared of her! When she sets off for the annual Kakamotobi Festival with her parents, she’s confident she’ll be fine. Her mother warns that there’s going to be loud music and scary masks and a very big crowd, but Esi’s unconcerned. She’s not afraid of anything. But when they get to the festival and her parents suddenly disappear in a crowd of terrifying monster masks, Esi realizes that to save her parents, she’ll have to be the bravest she’s ever been. With detail-packed illustrations and engaging text, Esi The Brave is the perfect story about finding your inner strength to be brave. ~ African -Preschool

No More Señora Mimí
by Meg Medina

Ana cannot contain her excitement—her abuela is coming to stay with her and Mami for always! Abuela is sure to let Ana play whenever she wants instead of rushing her off to school, like her neighbor and babysitter, señora Mimí, sometimes does. In fact, as Ana’s classmate points out, she won’t need señora Mimí to babysit at all anymore! But señora Mimí is a good listener, and they have a lot of fun together feeding the squirrels and eating snacks. Maybe Ana isn’t ready to say goodbye to señora Mimí just yet? With warm, expressive illustrations, No More Senora Mimi is a poignant tale that celebrates caregivers and community and their special role in children’s lives. ~ Hispanic – Preschool

Great Idea Malia!
by Alliah L. Agostini

Malia loves two things: spending time with Mom and dreaming up Great Ideas. That’s why they call her Great Idea Malia! (Or at least . . . they should!) When Mom gets a big new job, she is busier than ever. Malia realizes that Mom needs help. Time for some Great Ideas: 1. Malia cleans Mom’s office—sweeping her paperwork into the recycling. 2. Malia answers all her emails—with random emojis. 3. Malia even jazzes up her presentation— with cute dinosaurs and unicorns. When it turns out this was not the help Mom had in mind, Malia needs a better-than-ever Great Idea to make things right. Great Idea, Malia! is a relatable story about the power of “small” ideas , featuring a lovable mother-daughter duo. ~ African -Preschool

Time for Us
by Rebecca Walker

To Jackson, Mama is the most important person in the world. But when she has to work, his imagination can only keep him entertained for so long. Who else can he share everything with, from the tallest tree to the tiniest hummingbird? Written from the author’s own experience as a working mother struggling to make time for her son, Time for Us emphasizes the importance of finding time to spend with loved ones. ~ African -Preschool

Bookie & Cookie
by Blanca Gomez

Bookie and Cookie are best friends. They love to spend time together, reading books and snacking on treats. But whenever this happens, it’s always at Cookie’s home . . . until the day when Bookie insists on getting together at his home instead. Cookie refuses: He doesn’t want to try something new. And now Bookie and Cookie are both alone, and the activities they used to enjoy together aren’t nearly as much fun. Can the two buddies each try something new for the sake of their friendship? Bookie & Cookie is a scrumptious and clever read-aloud about friendship, conflict and compromise. ~ Diverse – Preschool

The Idea in You: A Picture Book
by Questlove

“An idea can come from anywhere. / Start here: reach up into the sky / And unhook a star.” A joyous exploration of imagination and finding inspiration, The Idea in You is an uplifting story about passion, creativity, and joy—exuberantly illustrated by award-winning artist Sean Qualls— that will inspire kids to find their own creative pursuits. ~ African -Preschool

The Boldest White: A Story of Hijab and Community
by Ibtihaj Muhammad

Faizah loves being part of the community at her mosque, and she loves being part of the group at her fencing lessons. When all eyes are on her, though, Faizah freezes up. Mama says bravery will come with time, but there’s a fencing tournament coming up—does Faizah have what it takes to be bold? Love, honesty, courage and community shine through every page of The Boldest White, another empowering picture book from the bestselling, award-winning team behind The Proudest Blue and The Kindest Red. ~ African -Preschool

Elementary School

Zion’s Crown
by Zenda Walker

Zion and his younger brother have an experience at school that makes them reject their cultural hairstyles. But when Dad takes them on a journey to understand the significance of each style, Zion and Zayn’s world will never be the same. Gorgeously illustrated Zion’s Crown is an empowering story about two young Black boys who learn to be proud of their hair and the way they wear it. Includes a tutorial on creating Zion’s cornrow style along with a useful glossary of terms for parents and educators to reference when reading the book with children. ~ African – Elementary School

The Night Market
by Seina Wedlick

The Night Market is here again, and all one girl needs is a bag of gold coins to enter. The market is alive with the sound of hawkers and traders. “A taste of tangy sweetness!” hollers a man behind a towering fountain of lemonade. “I’ll trade you a joke for a coin,” a little boy calls. “Home grown spices!” shouts a granny at a counter. What should the girl buy? But, wait! Do you hear that? It’s the sound of an old African drum. Have a turn, then learn to make cards disappear when you shout Abracadabra! When the sun starts to rise and the night market winds down, the girl has one gold coin left—just enough to buy a return ticket to the night market. With stunning illustrations, The Night Market is an enchanting book about curiosity and the wonders that lie hidden in plain sight. ~ African – Elementary School

They Call Me Teach: Lessons in Freedom
by Lesa Cline-Ransome

An enslaved young man known as Teach secretly learned to read, write, and use numbers growing up alongside the master’s son. And although on this Southern plantation these are skills he can never flaunt, he teaches kids the alphabet in the corner stall of a stable and holds moonlit sessions where men scratch letters in the dirt. He deciphers a discarded letter bearing news of Yankee soldiers and forges a pass for a woman on a perilous journey north. And on Sundays, Teach cross the swamp to a hidden cabin where he reads aloud to the congregation. They Call Me Teach is a stirring book that honours the bravery and generosity of spirit behind countless untold acts of resistance during the time of slavery. An author’s note highlights the vital role of literacy and education toward freedom, both historically and to the present day. ~ African – Elementary School

Stacey Speaks Up
by Stacey Abrams

Stacey and her friends can’t wait for lunchtime on Friday, also known as TacoPizza FryDay! But when Stacey discovers that some of her classmates can’t afford to eat lunch, she loses her appetite. She knows she has to do something . . . but what can a kid do? Plenty, as it turns out! With the help of their community, Stacey and her friends devise a plan to make their voices heard. Inspired by Stacey Abrams’s legacy of grassroots activism and advocacy, Stacey Speaks Up! is a story about how everyone has the power to make a difference. ~ African – Elementary School

Evelyn and Avery: The Art of Friendship
by Elle Pierre

Eight-year-old Evelyn is beyond excited to enter her town’s annual art show! She joins two of her friends with a plan to submit a group project, but Dylan and Avery (a playful and imaginative skunk kit) start butting heads early on in the creative process. When Evelyn tries to diffuse the tension, both friends end up angry at her and the group splits apart. What will this mean for their art—and, more importantly, for their friendships? Set in a whimsical world with both human and animal friends, Evelyn and Avery is a graphic novel about besties who make crafts and mistakes. ~ African – Elementary School

Crowning Glory: A Celebration of Black Hair
by Carole Boston Weatherford

“Our hair is a lioness, born to be wild. / We pride ourselves on flair and style.” Black hair styles embody beauty and loving ritual, culture and community, expression and strength, patience and boundless creativity. With rhyming text and vibrant collage art, Crowning Glory brings this array of gorgeous hair designs—and the individuals who wear them—to bold and powerful life. Includes an author’s note about the five Black women who made history in 2019 as title holders of five major beauty pageants, as well as a glossary describing some twenty hair styles (from Afro to updo) and other terms related to the glory of Black hair. ~ African – Elementary School

I, Too, Am Here
by Christie Morgan

The street a young girl lives on is made up of families from all over the world. Her family shares with her their stories of journey and struggle. Her own story begins here in this country, but she is sometimes made to feel she does not belong. She listens to her family’s voices. They tell her she will soar, they tell her she is beautiful. She listens and she says I, too, am here. Inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem, “I, Too.”, I. Too, Am Here is a multigenerational story of immigration, racism, and what it truly means to belong. ~ African – Elementary School

A Voice of Hope: The Myrlie Evers-Williams Story
by Nadia Salomon

Born into the segregated South, Myrlie Evers-Williams’ dream of playing music onstage seemed out of reach. But this didn’t stop her. As she grew up, she marched for equal rights alongside her husband and activist, Medgar Evers. She fought against Jim Crow laws and for voting rights. She became the chair of the NAACP, and finally she realized her dream of performing at Carnegie Hall. As a voice for hope and change, Myrlie spoke at President Obama’s second inauguration, inspiring a nation. With lyrical text and exquisite artwork, A Voice of Hope celebrates the legendary life of Myrlie Evers-Williams and shares her message of hope with the world. ~ African – Elementary School

My Hair Is a Book
by Maisha Oso

“My hair is a book. / Watch me open it, / part it, / take a look.” Black hair has been telling stories for generations, from ponytails of ancient tribes and Nubian vibes to corn rows that mapped paths to freedom for enslaved Africans. There have been stories about dance with styles that twist and swoop and the sweetest stories of Cinna-buns and Afro puffs made perfect in the hottest kitchens. In each of these stories, one notion rings true: Black hair is everything—rich with history, a thesaurus, an atlas, and more, telling of truth, trials, and undeniable beauty. With powerful text and expressive illustrations, My Hair Is A Book captures the beauty of Black hair. ~ African – Elementary School

Etta Extraordinaire Goes to the White House
by Charnaie Gordon

Etta and her class take a field trip to the nation’s presidential suite in Washington, DC. When they arrive, they are faced with a decision: What activity should they choose? In the spirit of democracy the class submits their ballots and Etta’s brilliant idea gets picked: a pinktastic cherry blossom party on the White House lawn. She plans a spectacular party, where absolutely nothing can go wrong . . . right? In Etta Extraordinaire Goes To The White House, spunky Etta and her friends learn about the power of using their voices, the importance of making decisions together, and the incredible strength that lies within each of them. ~ African – Elementary School

Stella and Roger Can’t Wait to Grow Up
by Clothilde Ewing

Stella can’t wait to turn seven! She and her best friend, Roger, agree seven-year-olds get to have much more fun. But the more grown-up you are, the more you can do, so maybe Stella will skip seven altogether and go straight to eight years old! Anything’s better than being six. Being seven or eight is being practically a grown-up, like Stella’s neighbour Eva. Eva does all kinds of thing Stella can’t yet—real grown-up things like eating vegetables…getting a job… Maybe Stella didn’t think this all the way through. In Stella and Roger Can’t Wait To Grow Up sees the friends imagine all the incredible grown-up things they can do when they’re older. ~ African – Elementary School

How To Be A Fashion Designer: Ideas, Projects, and Styling Tips
by Lesley Ware

With bright illustrations mixed with fun photography, How To Be A Fashion Designer shows kids how to choose gorgeous colors, design dress shapes, customize t-shirts, and add sparkle to their accessories using simple, easy-to-follow design tasks and practical projects. Using inspiration from the natural world, everyday life, and their own imagination, children can design outfits from scratch and learn how to put together the clothes and accessories they already own in fun, stylish ways. ~ African – Elementary School

Freedom Braids
by Monique Duncan

Day after day, Nemy sows seeds, pulls weeds, and strips leaves in the sugarcane plantation where she is enslaved. But one night, she follows a woman called Big Mother to a hidden shack. There, she finds a group of women braiding each other’s hair. But these are no ordinary braids. Hidden in each elaborate pattern is a secret―a message signaling their intent to flee and a map to guide them in their escape. Will the paths these courageous women weave bring Nemy to a new home where she can be free? Freedom Braids is a picture book of love, liberation, and legacy inspired by enslaved African women braiding maps to freedom. ~ African – Elementary School

Middle School

Game On, Zhuri! Attack of the Robo-Bugs
by D. Zollicoffer

Embark on an epic adventure with Join Zhuri, Keyona, and Eli as they dive back into the digital realm to confront a new threat—sinister robotic bugs invading Hero City 2. When traditional powers fail, Zhuri and her friends must rely on Dr. Green’s innovative devices and their own creativity to overcome obstacles. Navigate through treacherous webs of deception and danger as Zhuri and her friends race against time to save not only the virtual city but also the real world from Flex’s sinister plot. Game On, Zhuri! Attack of the Robo-Bugs is the latest book in the Zhuri series. ~ African – Middle School

Also available: Game On, Zhuri! How to Defeat a Blob Monster

Black Star (The Door of No Return series, 2)
by Kwame Alexander

12-year old Charley Cuffey is set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball — a lofty dream for a Black girl in the American South. Even so, Nana Kofi’s thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision. Black Star is the thrilling second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration. ~ African – Middle School

Also available: The Door of No Return

The Chainbreakers
by Julian Randall

All Violet Moon has ever wanted is to be a Reaper captain like her father. Born on the Tides of the Lost, a magical world beneath the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Violet has spent her life at her father’s side rescuing souls lost in the water. But when a rescue mission turns to disaster after the arrival of the dreaded Children of the Shark, weaponized ghost-sharks who steal the souls for themselves, her father is seized and pulled down into the darkness of the Depths. With no choice for Violet but to inherit the captain’s powers and helm the ship as the next in line, it’ll be up to her to save her father―if he even still lives―and stop the Children of the Shark before they devour the world. The Chainbreakers is an action-packed fantasy, perfect for fans of The Marvellers and Tristan Strong. ~ African – Middle School

Clutch Time: A Shot Clock Novel
by C. Butler & J.A. Reynolds

Kofi “KO” Douglas is the newly announced #1 ranked AAU player in the country. KO believes nobody can beat him one-on-one. That is, until his former best friend, Ripp, returns home, just in time for the biggest tournament of the summer, the McNabby. KO now has his toughest competition yet. There’s game-changing news at home, too. KO’s dad, who has been incarcerated for the last seven years, is getting out. Can KO prove he’s still the best on the court as his family life turns upside down? Former NBA All-Star Caron Butler and acclaimed author Justin A. Reynolds deliver another superstar performance in Clutch Time, the companion novel to Shot Clock. ~ African – Middle School

We Shall Not Be Denied: A Timeline of Voting Rights and Suppression in America
by Cayla Bellanger deGrout

Throughout the history of the US, many Americans from underrepresented groups have fought, suffered, or died for the right to vote. Their hard work and courage has allowed many to gain the right to vote. But challenges remain and affect many voters. We Shall Not Be Denied will help middle graders learn more about voting and understand why the right to vote is important. ~ African – Middle School

Out of My Dreams (The Out of My Mind Series)
by Sharon M. Draper

When Melody saves an elderly back-in-the-day actress’s life, the woman is so grateful—and impressed by Melody—that she nominates Melody to be a US spokesperson at an international symposium for kids with different abilities. To Melody’s utter shock and delight, she and two friends of her choice are chosen to participate—and this year’s symposium is in England! Melody flies to London to speak at a convention about differently abled kids in this stunning sequel to the acclaimed, New York Times bestselling middle grade novels Out of My Mind and Out of My Heart. ~ African – Middle School

Kwame Crashes the Underworld
by Craig Kofi Farmer

Twelve-year-old Kwame Powell isn’t ready to deal with losing his grandmother, even as he and his family head to Ghana for her celebration of life. He’s definitely not ready when he’s sucked into a magical whirlpool that leads straight to Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld. There, he comes face to face with his grandmother, who is very much alive, and somehow still…a kid? Together with his best friend, Autumn, and a talkative aboatia named Woo, Kwame must battle angry nature gods, and stop the underworld from destroying the land of the living. Kwame Crashes The Underworld is a stunning middle grade fantasy about a boy hurled into the Ghanaian underworld to help his grandmother save humanity. ~ African – Middle School

Joyful, Joyful: 20 Stories by Brilliant Black Creators from Around the World
by Dapo Adeola

Joyful, Joyful is a hugely entertaining collection of stories by brilliant Black creators from around the world, featuring both exciting new talents and globally renowned creators. The stories feature a mythical whale, a message from the future, a Halloween dance competition, a talking book, a miraculous discovery in a moment of lost hope, the joy of jollof rice and so much more. ~ African – Middle School

Weirdo
by Tony Weaver Jr.

Eleven-year-old Tony Weaver, Jr. loves comic books, anime, and video games, and idolizes the heroic, larger-than-life characters he finds there. But his new classmates all think he’s a weirdo. Bullied by his peers, Tony struggles with the hurt of not being accepted and tries to conform to other people’s expectations. After a traumatic event shakes him to his core, he embarks on a journey of self love that will require him to become the hero of his own story. Weirdo is a triumphant, witty, and comedic story for any kid who’s ever felt awkward, left out, or like they don’t belong. ~ African – Middle School

High School

How To Lose A Best Friend
by Jordan K. Casomar

For as long as anyone can remember, Zeke and Imogen have been best friends. Their classmates, their parents, and even the school custodian think that they’re meant to be together. And that’s exactly what Zeke wants: for Gen to be his girlfriend. Now that she’s about to be sixteen (and allowed to date), Zeke is finally going to tell her how he feels—in front of everyone at her birthday party. Imogen loves Zeke with all her heart, but only as a friend. When she falls for the new boy, Trevor Cook, she knows the news will devastate Zeke. The last thing she wants to do is hurt her best friend, but she also resents the fact that no one seems to care about what she wants. The night of Gen’s party, everything goes wrong. Zeke is determined to prove that she made the wrong choice…even if it means destroying their friendship. But Gen isn’t about to give up on fighting for herself and the freedom to love the boy she wants. How To Lose A Friend is a contemporary teen romance that explores toxic masculinity. ~ African – High School

Ida, in Love and in Trouble
by Veronica Chambers

The first child of newly freed parents who thrived in a community that pulsated with hope and possibility after the Civil War, Ida had a big heart, big ambitions, and even bigger questions: How to be a good big sister when her beloved parents perish in a yellow fever epidemic? How to launch her career as a teacher? How to make and keep friends in a society that seems to have no place for a woman who speaks her own mind? And – always top of mind for Ida – how to find a love that will let her be the woman she dreams of becoming? Ahead of her time by decades, Ida B. Wells pioneered the field of investigative journalism with her powerful reporting on violence against African Americans. Her name became synonymous with courage and an unflinching demand for racial and gender equality. Ida, in Love and in Trouble is a sweeping historical novel about Ida B. Wells as she navigates society parties and society prejudices to become a civil rights crusader. ~ African – High School

We Are Hunted
by Tomi Oyemakinde

17-year-old Femi Fatona ais not looking forward to spending time with his older brother and his dad on a remote island resort. After all, he hasn’t exactly been getting along with either of them lately. Once they arrive, Femi is thrilled to find that the island is bursting with new and spectacular species of plants and animals. But he soon realizes that sometimes pretty exteriors hide ugly truths―truths that are begging to come to light. When the animals suddenly become feral and the island is thrown into chaos , what was meant to be a peaceful bonding experience quickly becomes the stuff of nightmares. Femi will have to put aside tension with his family and work with other guests in order to escape the animals, the island. . .and his own guilt at the part he may have played in all of it. We Are Hunted is a horrifying fast-paced survival story from the author of The Changing Man. ~ African – High School

Flamboyants: The Queer Harlem Renaissance I Wish I’d Known
by George M. Johnson

Flamboyant celebrates writers, performers, and activists from 1920s Black America whose sexualities have been obscured throughout history. Interspersed with personal narrative, powerful poetry, and illustrations by award-winning illustrator Charly Palmer, this gorgeous book looks to the past for understanding as to how Black and Queer culture has defined the present and will continue to impact the future. With candid prose and an unflinching lens towards truth and hope, the author brings young adult readers an inspiring collection of biographies that will encourage teens today to be unabashed in their layered identities. ~ African – High School

Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote
by Michael E. Dyson

Represent: The Unfinished Fight for the Vote shines a light on the fight for democratic representation, an ongoing and epic quest to build the democracy promised in the Constitution. Each chapter takes on a new battle between champions of freedom and those who stand in the way of their right to vote—from the American Revolution straight up to the present day as we approach the 2024 presidential election. Drawing clear lines from then to now, with impeccable research and exhilarating prose, this indispensable book weaves the struggle for democracy into an enthralling American drama that will help readers understand our past, present, and future. ~ Diverse – High School

Ruin Road
by Lamar Giles

Cade Webster lives between worlds. He’s a standout football star at the right school but lives in the wrong neighborhood–if you let his classmates tell it. Everywhere but home, people are afraid of him for one reason or another. Afraid he’s too big, too fast, too ambitious, too Black.Then one fateful night, to avoid a dangerous encounter with the police, he ducks into a pawn shop. An impulse purchase and misspoken desire change everything when Cade tells the shopkeeper he wishes people would stop acting so scared around him, and the wish is granted… At first, it feels like things have taken a turn for the better. But it’s not just Cade that people no longer fear–it’s everything. With Cade spreading this newfound “courage” wherever he goes, anything can happen. Fearless acts of violence begin to escalate in both his neighborhood and at school. With the right moves, and brave friends, Cade might have one — and only one — chance to save all he loves. But at what cost? Ruin Road is a riveting thriller that examines race, privilege, community, and what it means to be afraid. ~ African – High School