African American Fiction for Young Adults & Teens

Updated May 15, 2025
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Something kindred
Burch, Ciera
Paper Book
Magical realism meets Southern Gothic in this commanding young adult debut from Ciera Burch about true love, the meaning of home, and the choices that haunt us. Welcome to Coldwater. Come for the ghosts, stay for the drama. Jericka Walker had planned to...
How to lose a best friend : a novel
Casomar, Jordan K.
Paper Book
This "important and necessary book for our time" (Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be) confronts the myth of the friend zone as a boy in love with his best friend feels he's owed a chance at romance--and she's the only one in their lives who...
Needy little things
Desamours, Channelle
Paper Book
In this debut speculative YA mystery, a Black teen with premonition-like powers must solve her friend's disappearance before she finds herself in the same danger, perfect for fans of Ace of Spades. Sariyah Lee Bryant can hear what people need--tangible things, like a...
Bright red fruit
Elhillo, Safia
Paper Book
An unflinching, honest novel in verse about a teenager's journey into the slam poetry scene and the dangerous new relationship that could threaten all her dreams. From the award-winning poet and author of HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY. A MICHAEL L. PRINTZ HONOR BOOK * A CALIBA...
Friday I'm in love
Garrett, Camryn
Paper Book
It's too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride. "A perfect ode to romantic comedies, wrapped in a dazzling rainbow dress." --Rachael Lippincott, #1 New...
Salt the water
Iloh, Candice
Paper Book
A Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book Cerulean Gene is free everywhere except school, where they're known for repeatedly challenging authority. Raised in a free-spirited home by two loving parents who encourage Cerulean to be their full self, they've got big dreams of moving cross...
Pritty
Miller, Keith F., Jr.
Paper Book
2024 Lambda Literary Awards Finalist 2025 Rainbow Book List Concrete Rose meets Things We Couldn't Say in Pritty, a debut novel by Keith F. Miller Jr.--the inspiration behind the forthcoming animated short film of Kickstarter fame--that follows two boys...
Tender beasts
Sambury, Liselle
Paper Book
After her private school is rocked by a gruesome murder, a teen tries to find the real killer and clear her brother's name in this psychological thriller perfect for fans of The Taking of Jake Livingston and Ace of Spades. Sunny Behre has four siblings, but only...
Honeysuckle and Bone
Tobias, Trisha
Paper Book
"Eerie, propulsive, and sumptuous, Honeysuckle and Bone is a trip to Jamaica you won't soon forget." --Ayesha Curry A Goodreads Editors' Pick · A Kirkus Best of January for Young Readers · An Indie Next Pick On the run from her own dark...
The second chance of Darius Logan
Walker, David
Paper Book
Eisner award-winning author David F. Walker explodes onto the YA literary scene with a remarkable story about justice and second chances and all the ways we can make our own world in the image of our dreams. Darius Logan is far from a hero. Since his parents were killed, he has spent most...
Their vicious games
Wellington, Joelle
Paper Book
"A brutally honest and haunting cautionary tale...exposing the lie that is meritocracy and the unrelenting toll that being a final girl takes. A bloody tale spun masterfully...a dark delight." --Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé, New York Times bestselling author of Ace of Spades
Remember us
Woodson, Jacqueline
Paper Book
National Book Award winner Jacqueline Woodson brings readers a powerful story that delves deeply into life's burning questions about time and memory and what we take with us into the future. It seems like Sage's whole world is on fire the summer before she starts seventh grade....
(S)Kin
Zoboi, Ibi
Paper Book
From award-winning, New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi comes her groundbreaking contemporary fantasy debut--a novel in verse based on Caribbean folklore--about the power of inherited magic and the price we must pay to live the life we yearn for. "Our new...
Punching the air
Zoboi, Ibi Aanu
Paper Book
New York Times and USA Today bestseller * Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor * Walter Award Winner * Goodreads Finalist for Best Teen Book of the Year * Time Magazine Best Book of the Year * Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year * Shelf Awareness Best Book of...

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