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Teen Books for Black History Month
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Concrete Rose
by Angie Thomas
A gang leader’s son finds his effort to go straight for the sake of his child challenged by a loved one’s brutal murder, in a poignant exploration of Black coming-of-age set 17 years before the events of the award-winning The Hate U Give.
For a different take on community and family try Jason Reynold's novel in verse Long Way Down.
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One of the Good Ones : Shouldn't Being Human Be Enough?
by Maika Moulite
When teen social activist and history buff Kezi Smith is killed under mysterious circumstances after attending a social justice rally, her devastated sister Happi and their family are left reeling in the aftermath. As Kezi becomes another immortalized victim in the fight against police brutality, Happi begins to question the idealized way her sister is remembered
This is the 2022 All CT Reads pick for teens.
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Stamped : Racism, Antiracism, and You
by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Reveals the history of racist ideas in America from 1415 to the present while explaining their endurance and capacity for being discredited. Through a gripping, fast-paced, and energizing narrative, Jason Reynolds shines a light on the many insidious forms of racist ideas--and on ways readers can identify and stamp out racist thoughts in their daily lives.
Try Lies My Teacher Told Me by James W. Loewen afterwards.
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Skin of the Sea
by Natasha Bowen
Simi, a Mami Wata—a type of mermaid who collects the souls of those who die at sea—goes against an ancient decree by saving the life of a living boy and must now make amends in order to save the fate of all Mami Wata and the world as she knows it.
For more West African-inspired fantasy, try Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi,
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The Gilded Ones
by Namina Forna
Inspired by the culture of West Africa, a feminist fantasy debut traces the experiences of an intuitive girl who is invited to leave her discriminatory village to join the emperor’s army of near-immortal women warriors.
Dive into another fantasy kingdom with an outcast protagonist, with Kingdom of Souls by Rena Barron.
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A Psalm of Storms and Silence
by Roseanne A. Brown
As the fate of Sonande hangs on a single, horrifying choice, Princess Karina and Malik must decide between a power that could transform the world, or a love that could transform their lives.
This follow-up to A Song of Wraiths and Ruins features world-building similar to Ayana Gray's Beasts of Prey.
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Redemptor
by Jordan Ifueko
In the sequel to Ifueko's popular Raybearer, contending with the lives of her loved ones in danger, assassination attempts and a new stranger she can’t quite trust, Empress Redemptor Tarisai must decide if she is willing to die for justice—or to live for it.
Try A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow next.
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Daughters of Jubilation
by Kara Lee Corthron
In the Jim Crow South, white supremacy reigns and tensions are high. But Evalene Deschamps has other things to worry about: her magic abilities are growing stronger by the day. When the demons of Evvie's past finally shake free, she must embrace her mighty lineage.
For a contemporary read-alike, read Legendborn by Tracey Deonn.
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Deathless Divide
by Justina Ireland
After the fall of Summerland, Jane McKeene heads to Nicodemus, where she reluctantly allies herself with Katherine Deveraux to fight both the undead and her own inner demons
Try more historical fantasy with The Good Luck Girls by Charlotte Nicole Davis
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Ain't Burned All the Bright
by Jason Reynolds
This smash-up of art and text visually captures what it is to be Black in America—and what it means to REALLY breathe.
Read Me (Moth) by Amber McBride afterwards.
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Vinyl Moon
by Mahogany L. Browne
After an incident, Angel finds herself in Brooklyn, far from her California home, where she finds solace and healing in a revolutionary literature course in which her classmates share their own stories of pain, joy and fortitude.
For another novel-in-verse and coming-of-age tale, try Every Body Looking by Candace Iloh.
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