Sooo my other list featuring Black Voices in young adult literature did great. Check it out here! Keep checking that one out and sharing it. At the request of my big sister who recently had a baby, my little Questlove! His name is Quest. I am making this list to feature books with black characters and black authors for children. I am also going to include “juvenile” books to which focus on that older kid/preteen group.
Ezra Jack Keats
He has a ton of books, particularly with black boys. Check him out. Edit 8/11/2020: I should have checked more into him buuut I thought he was black but he’s not… but I will keep his books here for now.
Ylleya Fields
There are at least two others, but I love these. This little princess is sassy and I dressed up as her during Character Week at my library.
Kadir Nelson
He’s more of an illustrator and I love his work. But I wanted to include him. His paintings are amazing. Baby Bear is probably my favorite of his work (he wrote and illustrated) because the images are so beautiful.
Rachel Isadora
She does other retellings and illustrations with black characters.
Jacqueline Woodson
You’ll see her again later and she was on the YA list. She write’s amazing books for young people.
Brian & Andrea Pinkney
They have a few others. There are other books Brian Pinkney has illustrated as well.
Crystal Swain Bates
“Black Boy Joy” is written by a local Charlotte, NC author. I met her at an event.
Vanessa Brantley Newton
She is also a Charlotte, NC author. She has written and illustrated books. Check her out.
Angela Johnson
She was also on the YA list. She has a ton of other books for kids, so check out her website!
Chapter Books for Kids
Jason Reynolds
Jaden Toussaint and Keena Ford have multiple books in their series.
Rita Garcia Williams
Also: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground, Bottle Cap Boys
Sharon M. Draper
I will add more to this list as I come across more, books are coming out every day. I will also post a few other lists that deal with diverse characters. Keep an eye out for those.
Thanks for reading! Be sure to share this list and like and comment for more of this content!
Yessssssssssssss!!! Thank you so much for sharing these, allowing us to explore the beauty of books with diverse characters… that are not just about slavery!! 😉
Terrific post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Many thanks!
Speak Now Storyteller 
Yessssssssssssss!!! Thank you so much for sharing these, allowing us to explore the beauty of books with diverse characters… that are not just about slavery!! 😉
LikeLike
Wow, this post is good, my sister is analyzing these kinds of
things, so I am going to convey her.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much! Please feel free to share this list with your sister and other people who might be looking for content like this.
LikeLike
Terrific post however I was wanting to know if you could write a litte more on this subject?
I’d be very grateful if you could elaborate a little bit further.
Many thanks!
LikeLike
Hi! Thanks so much for responding! What kind of elaboration would you like on this topic?
LikeLike