Spotlight: Must Read Black YA/MG (70 books)

Listopia > Spotlight: Must Read Black YA/MG

This list is to spotlight, especially lesser-known or newer, great books written by black or black-identifying authors for youth (kids and/or teens). Comics and webtoons certainly welcome.

*books MUST feature a black main character(s) or a black culture predominantly

*books written by black authors strongly preferred

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1	The Girl Who Married a Skull: and Other African Stories by Kel McDonald (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 3.86 avg rating — 884 ratings score: 176, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 4,687 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Justin (Blacktop, #1) by L.J. Alonge 3.58 avg rating — 151 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Balancing Act (The Heights #1) by Paula Chase (Goodreads Author) 3.80 avg rating — 126 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Djeliya: A West African Fantasy Epic by Juni Ba 3.70 avg rating — 723 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	The Hero of Numbani by Nicky Drayden (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 467 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Serena Says by Tanita S. Davis (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 321 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	Shuri (Shuri: A Black Panther Novel, #1) by Nic Stone (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 1,729 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	When Life Gives You Mangos by Kereen Getten (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 3,577 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Twins by Varian Johnson 4.10 avg rating — 11,015 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Early Departures by Justin A. Reynolds (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 3,527 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Now That I've Found You by Kristina Forest (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 3,377 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 8,294 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Given by Nandi Taylor (Goodreads Author) 3.68 avg rating — 724 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Crossover by Kwame Alexander 4.21 avg rating — 70,762 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Amari and the Night Brothers (Supernatural Investigations, #1) by B.B. Alston (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 37,499 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Dancer by Lorri Hewett 4.07 avg rating — 417 ratings score: 89, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Some Places More Than Others by Renée Watson 4.18 avg rating — 3,359 ratings score: 88, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams (Goodreads Author) 4.34 avg rating — 8,980 ratings score: 87, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Aya: Life in Yop City (Aya #1-3) by Marguerite Abouet 3.96 avg rating — 1,800 ratings score: 86, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 4,269 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	For All Time by Shanna Miles (Goodreads Author) 3.40 avg rating — 995 ratings score: 84, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	Roman and Jewel: A Contemporary YA Romance Set in the World of Broadway Theater by Dana L. Davis (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 801 ratings score: 83, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 336 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	All the Things We Never Knew by Liara Tamani (Goodreads Author) 3.52 avg rating — 1,167 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles (Goodreads Author) 4.26 avg rating — 861 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Partly Cloudy by Tanita S. Davis (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 305 ratings score: 79, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Raybearer (Raybearer, #1) by Jordan Ifueko (Goodreads Author) 4.31 avg rating — 32,319 ratings score: 78, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	Artie and the Wolf Moon by Olivia Stephens (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 4,093 ratings score: 77, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Quincredible Vol. 1: Quest to Be the Best! by Rodney Barnes 3.61 avg rating — 689 ratings score: 75, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Wings of Ebony (Wings of Ebony, #1) by J. Elle (Goodreads Author) 3.84 avg rating — 5,556 ratings score: 74, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Me: Moth by Amber McBride (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 10,522 ratings score: 73, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by Joya Goffney (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 30,558 ratings score: 72, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	One Crazy Summer (Gaither Sisters, #1) by Rita Williams-Garcia 4.02 avg rating — 37,888 ratings score: 71, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera (Goodreads Author) 3.83 avg rating — 1,666 ratings score: 70, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Grown by Tiffany D. Jackson (Goodreads Author) 4.23 avg rating — 41,924 ratings score: 69, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Not So Pure and Simple by Lamar Giles (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 4,097 ratings score: 68, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	For Black Girls Like Me by Mariama J. Lockington (Goodreads Author) 4.27 avg rating — 1,667 ratings score: 67, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	The Sound of Stars: A YA Sci Fi Romance About an Unlikely Friendship on a Dangerous Road Trip by Alechia Dow (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 5,345 ratings score: 66, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds (Goodreads Author) 3.64 avg rating — 27,920 ratings score: 65, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The Last Last-Day-of-Summer by Lamar Giles (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 1,734 ratings score: 64, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America by Ibi Zoboi (Goodreads Author) (Editor) 4.13 avg rating — 6,731 ratings score: 63, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 9,028 ratings score: 62, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Dear Haiti, Love Alaine by Maika Moulite (Goodreads Author) 3.71 avg rating — 4,811 ratings score: 61, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	Simone Breaks All the Rules by Debbie Rigaud (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 520 ratings score: 60, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Tuskeegee Heirs by Greg Burnham 4.25 avg rating — 20 ratings score: 59, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	HoverGirls by GDBee 4.27 avg rating — 30 ratings score: 58, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Jada Sly, Artist & Spy by Sherri Winston (Goodreads Author) 3.72 avg rating — 181 ratings score: 57, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Akissi: Tales of Mischief by Marguerite Abouet 3.95 avg rating — 602 ratings score: 56, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	Afar by Leila del Duca 3.71 avg rating — 1,826 ratings score: 55, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Piecing Me Together: Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner by Renée Watson 4.08 avg rating — 27,340 ratings score: 54, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Brand New School, Brave New Ruby (Ruby and the Booker Boys, #1) by Derrick Barnes 4.03 avg rating — 377 ratings score: 53, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Plum Fantastic by Whoopi Goldberg 4.15 avg rating — 655 ratings score: 52, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Monster by Guy A. Sims 3.76 avg rating — 2,182 ratings score: 51, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	A la Carte by Tanita S. Davis (Goodreads Author) 3.48 avg rating — 220 ratings score: 50, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu 4.16 avg rating — 2,728 ratings score: 49, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Standing Against the Wind by Traci L. Jones (Goodreads Author) 4.18 avg rating — 582 ratings score: 48, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Angel of Greenwood by Randi Pink 4.18 avg rating — 2,979 ratings score: 47, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	The Right Side of Reckless: A Compelling YA Contemporary Romance About First Love by Whitney D. Grandison (Goodreads Author) 3.63 avg rating — 904 ratings score: 46, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon (Goodreads Author) 4.02 avg rating — 3,536 ratings score: 45, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Sleepless, Vol. 1 by Sarah Vaughn 4.21 avg rating — 3,613 ratings score: 44, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Tight by Torrey Maldonado 3.78 avg rating — 2,051 ratings score: 43, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Monster Mayhem by Christopher Eliopoulos 3.84 avg rating — 384 ratings score: 42, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	How to Fish for Trouble (Willimena Rules!, #2) by Valerie Wilson Wesley (Goodreads Author) 4.21 avg rating — 33 ratings score: 41, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	My Own Worst Frenemy (Langdon Prep #1) by Kimberly Reid 3.80 avg rating — 215 ratings score: 40, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	The Great Greene Heist (The Great Greene Heist, #1) by Varian Johnson 3.88 avg rating — 2,717 ratings score: 39, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Cane Warriors by Alex Wheatle 3.87 avg rating — 968 ratings score: 38, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Redemptor (Raybearer, #2) by Jordan Ifueko (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 13,204 ratings score: 37, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	Sign of the Slayer (American Slayer Society, 1) by Sharina Harris (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 737 ratings score: 36, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	The Bones of Ruin (The Bones of Ruin, #1) by Sarah Raughley (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 1,396 ratings score: 35, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars