Ain't Burned All the Bright
A smash up of art and text that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right now.
This title is also available for checkout as an eBook and eAudioBook OverDrive/Libby.
African American Identity & Everyday Life: Books for High School
Teens in grades 9-12 can gain confidence and joy in seeing themselves and those around them represented in books. The following stories present African American teens as leading characters. Caregivers and educators can encourage reading books with racially diverse characters by offering these and other titles on class reading lists, in a shared reading space, and through conversations.
All the Things We Never Knew
Carli and Rex have an immediate connection, an understanding that must mean first love, but family secrets, disappointments–and basketball, which holds center stage in both their lives–all create complications. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America
A collection of short stories explore what it is like to be young and black, centering on the experiences of black teenagers and emphasizing that one person’s experiences, reality, and personal identity are different than someone else’s. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
If It Makes You Happy
When Winnie is crowned Summer Queen in the small town of Misty Haven, she has to balance her new responsibilities with her friendships, a new romance and her job at her granny’s diner. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Legendborn
After her mother dies in an accident, Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC-Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape– until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Not So Pure and Simple
High school junior Del Rainey unwittingly joins a Purity Pledge class at church, hoping to get closer to his long-term crush, Kiera. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on Hoopla or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Now That I’ve Found You
When an aspiring actress wrecks her big shot, she needs her grandmother’s help to salvage her career. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
On the Come Up
When sixteen-year-old Bri, an aspiring rapper, pours her anger and frustration into her first song, she finds herself at the center of a controversy. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Opposite of Always
After falling for Kate, her unexpected death sends Jack back in time to the moment they first met, but he soon learns that his actions have consequences when someone else close to him dies. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on Hoopla.
Punching the Air
A novel-in-verse about a boy who is wrongfully incarcerated. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
The Revolution of Birdie Randolph
Sixteen-year-old Dove “Birdie” Randolph’s close bond with her parents is threatened by a family secret, and by hiding her relationship with Booker, who has been in juvenile detention. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Slay
An honors student at Jefferson Academy, seventeen-year-old Keira enjoys developing and playing Slay, a secret, multiplayer online role-playing game celebrating black culture, until the two worlds collide. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Tyler Johnson Was Here
Twins Marvin and Tyler Johnson know that the police are often not on their side – they’ve seen it first hand, getting a gun drawn on them as bystanders to a police chase, and later at a house party, after a shooting breaks out. In the confusion, Marvin loses track of his brother. Later, his body is found, shot, and police attribute his death to gang violence. But that’s not the truth – a cop killed Tyler and a video exists proving it. Marvin and his family struggle to survive this trauma and the trauma of being Black in America. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby or as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Who Put This Song On?
17-year-old Morgan is a black teen triumphantly figuring out her identity when her conservative town deems depression as a lack of faith, and blackness as something to be politely ignored. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
With the Fire on High
Teen mother Emoni Santiago struggles with the challenges of finishing high school and her dream of working as a chef. You can also check out this title as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eAudio on Hoopla or as eBook on Hoopla.
You Should See Me in a Crown
A wallflower runs for prom queen in the hopes of winning her school’s scholarship and makes discoveries about her own identity and the value of true friendships. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby, or as eAudio on Hoopla.