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this was a very good book. alot of people recomanded that i read it and i did.

a lot of books were missing from this list. Whats up?

I'm starting to get annoyed with black writers because none of the characters do anything other than be black and have problems.Dressing up like a black kid with issues is the same as me dressing up as myself

Hannah wrote: "I'm starting to get annoyed with black writers because none of the characters do anything other than be black and have problems.Dressing up like a black kid with issues is the same as me dressing u..."

I completely agree with you. It's very difficult to come across novels with black main characters that don't involve being in the hood, getting into trouble, drugs, blah blah blah. All of the out of the box novels please stand up.

has anyone read As a Young Man Thinketh. Published by Hawfbooks.com
it a positive and absolutely inspiring book for African American middle school boys

Horizons wrote: "Hannah wrote: "I'm starting to get annoyed with black writers because none of the characters do anything other than be black and have problems.Dressing up like a black kid with issues is the same a..."



Well said. Trying to find a book for a young preteen black child is like looking for a needle in a haystack. My sisters don't know anything about the ghetto, projects, or putting food on the table. Where are all the fun contemporary and Paranormal books ?

Why do all books with black characters have to be about the hood, drugs, getting pregnant, etc. It's really annoying. I would be elated to find a good book about an African American girl who doen't go through those things. A good teen romance, paranormal, fantacy, etc. Just once! Why does the color of your skin determine life style to people?!

Flicts wrote: "the amount of self-hate/internalized racism going on on this comments section is so sad."


I don't understand where you find Self-hate/internalized racism in these comments. Did I misunderstand something?

I read a lot of these books as a teen. I am actually rereading them now because they were soooo good.

The Crossover by Kwame Alexander deserves a place on this list. The characters have their flaws, but they are presented as realistic, positive members of their community. There aren't any negative stereotypes attributed to any of the characters. The father is a retired Euro-League basketball player, his wife is the vice principal of the twins' school with her doctorate degree, and the twins don't do anything that could be considered a negative stereotypical action based on race. Some of their actions are stereotypical of siblings, particularly twin siblings, but those stereotypes are based on familial associations rather than any particular ethnicity. If you are seeking a heartfelt story with African American characters who represent themselves and not an entire demographic, then this is a book that will capture your interest cover to cover and leave you with tears rolling down your cheeks as you read the last page.