Chapter and Middle Grade Books Featuring Black Protagonists

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Davidson County Public Library Davidson County Public Library
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Chapter and Middle Grade Books Featuring Black Protagonists

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Black boy joy
Paper Book
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. FIVE STARRED REVIEWS Celebrate the joys of Black boyhood with stories from seventeen bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors-including Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia. ★"Pick up Black Boy Joy...
The crossover
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
Series streaming now on Disney+, with executive producers including NBA great LeBron James! The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning middle grade bestseller! Basketball and heartache share the court in this slam-dunk novel in verse. "With a bolt of lightning on my...
Rebound
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
From the New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander comes Rebound, the dynamic prequel to his Newbery Award-winning novel in verse, The Crossover. Before Josh and Jordan Bell were streaking up and down the court, their father was learning his own moves. Chuck Bell takes center stage...
Amari and the great game
Alston, B. B.
Paper Book
Sequel to the New York Times bestseller Amari and the Night Brothers! Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this magical second book in the New York Times and Indie bestselling Supernatural Investigations trilogy--perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,...
Amari and the night brothers
Alston, B. B.
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller! Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this exhilarating debut middle grade fantasy, the first in a series filled with #blackgirlmagic. Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Percy Jackson series, and Nevermoor. Amari Peters has...
Hold fast
Balliett, Blue 1955-
Paper Book
From NYT bestselling author Blue Balliett, the story of a girl who falls into Chicago's shelter system, and from there must solve the mystery of her father's strange disappearance. Where is Early's father? He's not the kind of father who would disappear. But he's gone . . . and he...
Brand-new school, brave new Ruby
Barnes, Derrick
Paper Book
Eight-year-old ultra-fabulous Ruby Marigold Booker returns in this reissue of the Ruby and the Booker Boys series by Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Honor author Derrick Barnes!Brought to you by Newbery Honor author Derrick Barnes, eight-year-old Ruby Booker is the baby sis of Marcellus (11),...
The adventures of Super Diaper Baby : the first graphic novel by George Beard and Harold Hutchins
Beard, George (Fictitious character)
Paper Book
In this new and outrageous comic novel, Dav Pilkey creates a hilarious l28-page book "by George Beard and Harold Hutchins," the fourth-grade stars of Pilkey's bestselling Captain Underpants series.Oh, no! It's not enough that George and Harold have invented Captain Underpants, the greatest superhero...
King & Kayla and the case of the lost tooth
Butler, Dori Hillestad
Paper Book
King & Kayla are back on the case in this laugh-out-loud mystery from the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor Award-winning series. Kayla lost a tooth. She put it in the special pocket in her tooth fairy pillow and now her tooth is missing! If she can't find it, the tooth fairy won't come...
Caterflies and ice
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
A Mighty Girl Book of the Year. With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages. In the fourth book, an unexpected snow...
Dragons and marshmallows
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
A New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2017 Selection. A Mighty Girl Book of the Year. Illinois Monarch Award Nominee 2018-2019. Florida SSYRA Book Award Nominee 2018-2019. Washington OTTER Award Nominee 2018-2019. With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the brand new series...
Grumplets and pests
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
In the seventh book, Zoey and Sassafras are excited to enjoy their summer with their magical friends. But ... why is everyone so grumpy? A bunch of bad days one after the other lead Zoey to suspect that something more is afoot. It's up to Zoey and Sassafras to solve the mystery before they end up...
Merhorses and bubbles
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
A Mighty Girl Book of the Year. With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the brand new series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages. In the third book of this...
Monsters and mold
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
A Mighty Girl Book of the Year. With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the brand new series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages. In the second book of this...
The pod and the bog
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
With magical animals, science, mystery, and adventure -- the series Zoey and Sassafras has something for everyone! Easy-to-read language and illustrations on nearly every page make this series perfect for a wide range of ages. In the fifth book, an old friend visits Zoey at the barn with a...
Unicorns and germs
Citro, Asia
Paper Book
In the sixth book, an earthquake shakes Zoey's house. Or maybe it's a unicorn-quake? An enormous new friend arrives in a lot of pain, and it's getting worse every day. Zoey must work with her mom and Sassafras to find a cure -- and quickly! Each story in the Zoey and Sassafras series features a new...
New kid
Craft, Jerry
Paper Book
Winner of the Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Author Award, and Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature!  Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Gene Luen Yang, New Kid is a timely, honest graphic novel about starting over at a new school where diversity is low...
Bud, not Buddy
Curtis, Christopher Paul
Paper Book
The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning classic about a boy who decides to hit the road to find his father--from Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.   It's 1936, in Flint, Michigan....
Blended
Draper, Sharon M.
Paper Book
Eleven-year-old Isabella's blended family is more divided than ever in this "timely but genuine" (Publishers Weekly) story about divorce and racial identity from the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of Out of My Mind, Sharon M. Draper. ...
Dragons in a bag
Elliott, Zetta
Paper Book
The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author! When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering...
Nikki & Deja
English, Karen
Paper Book
Meet Nikki and Deja, who live next door to each other and are best friends. They do everything together--watch Saturday morning cartoons, play jacks, jump double dutch at recess, and help each other with their homework for Mrs. Shelby's third-grade class. But when an arrogant new...
Nikki & Deja : birthday blues
English, Karen.
Paper Book
The second popular book about Nikki and Deja, two third-grade girls who are best friends. Deja's birthday is coming up, and she's been talking about it for weeks. But just before the big day, Auntie Dee gets called away on a business trip and Deja must stay with an elderly neighbor . . ....
Nikki & Deja : substitute trouble
English, Karen.
Paper Book
What will Nikki and Deja do when their beloved teacher is out and a clueless substitute takes her place? Deja is dismayed to learn that her teacher has had an accident and a substitute will be taking her place. Under the new sub's care, nothing is the same in Room Ten. A few of the...
Nikki & Deja : the newsy news newsletter
English, Karen.
Paper Book
Will Nikki and Deja's plans to become celebrated journalists succeed? Nikki and Deja know that there's plenty of newsy news--news that's interesting and exciting--happening on their block and at Carver Elementary, just waiting to be reported. Luckily, Nikki has her special...
Polly Diamond and the magic book
Kuipers, Alice 1979-
Paper Book
"An enchanting adventure of magic and mishaps." --Kirkus Reviews "Upbeat and lovable, Polly Diamond brings the magic of imagination to life." --Booklist, starred review The first in a delightfully funny and magical chapter book series perfect for fans of Ivy + Bean, Amelia Bedelia...
For Black girls like me
Lockington, Mariama
Paper Book
In this lyrical coming-of-age story about family, sisterhood, music, race, and identity, Schneider Family Book Award and Stonewall Honor-winning author Mariama J. Lockington draws on some of the emotional truths from her own experiences growing up with an adoptive white family.
What lane?
Maldonado, Torrey
Paper Book
"If you are wondering how to begin confronting Anti-Black racism in your classroom, start with What Lane?"--School Library Journal- The Classroom Bookshelf "STAY IN YOUR LANE." Stephen doesn't want to hear that--he wants to have no lane. Anything his...
Tristan Strong punches a hole in the sky
Mbalia, Kwame
Paper Book
Best-selling author Rick Riordan presents Kwame Mbalia's epic fantasy, a middle grade American Gods set in a richly-imagined world populated with African American folk heroes and West African gods. *"Mbalia expertly weaves a meaningful portrayal of family and community...
Becoming Muhammad Ali : a novel
Patterson, James 1947-
Paper Book
Two literary heavy-hitters--New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander and the world's #1 bestselling author James Patterson--deliver a knockout critically acclaimed bestselling biographical novel about cultural icon Muhammad Ali. ...
A good kind of trouble
Ramě, Lisa Moore
CD
From debut author Lisa Moore Ramée comes this funny and big-hearted debut middle grade novel about friendship, family, and standing up for what's right, perfect for fans of Angie Thomas's The Hate U Give and the novels of Renée Watson and Jason Reynolds. Twelve-year-old Shayla is...
As brave as you
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
Kirkus Award Finalist Schneider Family Book Award Winner Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book In this "pitch-perfect contemporary novel" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review), Coretta Scott King - John Steptoe Award-winning author...
Ghost
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
A National Book Award Finalist for Young People's Literature Nominated as one of America's best-loved novels by PBS's The Great American Read Ghost wants to be the fastest sprinter on his elite middle school track team, but his past is slowing him down in this...
Miles Morales : Spider-Man
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
"Everyone gets mad at hustlers, especially if you're on the victim side of the hustle. And Miles knew hustling was in his veins." Miles Morales is just your average teenager. Dinner every Sunday with his parents, chilling out playing old-school video games with his...
Stuntboy, in the meantime
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
A Schneider Family Award Honor Book for Middle Grade From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a hilarious, hopeful, and action-packed middle grade novel about the greatest young superhero you've never heard of, filled with...
It's the end of the world and I'm in my bathing suit
Reynolds, Justin A.
Paper Book
A hilarious new middle-grade from Justin A. Reynolds that asks: What happens when five unsupervised kids face the apocalypse under outrageously silly circumstances? Twelve-year-old Eddie Gordon Holloway has concocted his most genius plan ever to avoid chores . . . especially the dreaded L...
Miles Morales : shock waves
Reynolds, Justin A.
Paper Book
An original middle grade graphic novel from Graphix starring Brooklyn's Spider-Man, Miles Morales, by bestselling author Justin A. Reynolds and Eisner nominee Pablo Leon!Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of...
Ninth Ward
Rhodes, Jewell Parker.
Paper Book
From New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jewell Parker Rhodes comes a heartbreaking and uplifting tale of survival in the face of Hurricane Katrina. Twelve-year-old Lanesha lives in a tight-knit community in New Orleans' Ninth Ward. She doesn't have a fancy...
Jake the fake goes for laughs
Robinson, Craig
Paper Book
For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes the second book in the side-splitting series about a class clown faking his way to comedy stardom from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and...
Jake the fake keeps his cool
Robinson, Craig 1971-
Paper Book
For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes the third book in this laugh-out-loud series about a class clown faking his way through middle school from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and...
Jake the fake keeps it real
Robinson, Craig
Paper Book
For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes a new side-splitting series from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and cartoonist Keith Knight. Jake can barely play an instrument...
Keena Ford and the field trip mix-up
Thomson, Melissa 1979-
Paper Book
Keena Ford doesn't mean to get in trouble. In fact, she is very excited to go on a field trip to the United States Capitol with her second-grade class. At school, she is running for a spot on the student council, and on the field trip she's going to meet a real live US Representative. She's trying...
EllRay Jakes is a rock star!
Warner, Sally 1946-
Paper Book
All the boys in EllRay's third-grade class have something they can brag about. Corey's on the swim team, Kevin is super tall, Jared's dad has an ATV. But EllRay's dad is a geologist - not much to brag about. After all, rocks are boring. Then EllRay sees the crystals in his dad's office, and they are...
EllRay Jakes is magic
Warner, Sally 1946-
Paper Book
Small kid. Big Stage. Does EllRay have a talent to put on show for the entire school? When EllRay and his friends hear about the school talent show, they're not impressed. They're too old for that stuff. But their teacher, Mrs. Sanchez, isn't so quick to let her...
EllRay Jakes is not a chicken
Warner, Sally 1946-
Paper Book
EllRay Jakes is tired of being bullied by fellow classmate Jared Matthews. But when EllRay tries to defend himself, he winds up in trouble. Then his dad offers him a deal: If he stays out of trouble for one week, they'll go to Disneyland! EllRay says he can do it. But saying it and doing it are two...
Ways to make sunshine
Watson, Renée
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson, the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine. Ryan Hart can be and do anything. Her name means "king", that she is a leader, and she...
Mia Mayhem is a superhero!
West, Kara
Paper Book
Meet Mia Macarooney, an ordinary eight-year-old who finds out she has an extraordinary super-secret in this first chapter book in the brand-new Mia Mayhem series! Mia Macarooney is a regular eight-year-old girl who finds out that she's A SUPERHERO! Her life literally goes...
Genesis begins again
Williams, Alicia 1970-
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book Winner of the Correta Scott King - John Steptoe for New Talent Author Award A Morris Award Finalist An NPR Favorite Book of 2019 A School Library Journal Best Middle Grade Book of 2019 A Kirkus Reviews...
Gone crazy in Alabama
Williams-Garcia, Rita
Paper Book
Delphine, Vonetta, and Fern are off to Alabama to visit their grandmother, Big Ma, and her mother, Ma Charles. Across the way lives Ma Charles's half sister, Miss Trotter. The two half sisters haven't spoken in years. As Delphine hears about her family history, she uncovers the...
One crazy summer
Williams-Garcia, Rita
Paper Book
Eleven-year-old Delphine has it together. Even though her mother, Cecile, abandoned her and her younger sisters, Vonetta and Fern, seven years ago. Even though her father and Big Ma will send them from Brooklyn to Oakland, California, to stay with Cecile for the summer. And even...
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