Written by Vera Ahiyya, the “Tutu Teacher” Illustrated by Joey Chou It’s the first day of kindergarten and Leo isn’t at all ready. He is a quiet kid and would prefer to stay home. Over the summer, his new teacher, Ms. Perry, sent a letter asking her students to think about how to show kindness…
By MaryAnne Howland An eye-opening look at one mother’s determination to provide positive male role models for her son, and the power of great mentoring to change lives.When MaryAnne Howland’s son was turning thirteen she organized a “Black Mitzvah” rite of passage celebration for him. Max is one of the one-in-three children in America being…
By Derrick Barnes A teen boy invents a smooth alter ego in his quest to win back his ex-girlfriend in this funny, off-beat novel. Diego is a sixteen-year-old boy with a problem. When he breaks up with the girl he loves due to his insecurities, he is crushed. Will he ever win Roxy back? On…
Written by Derrick Barnes Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley Newton Eight-year-old Ruby Booker is the baby sis of Marcellus (11), Roosevelt (10), and Tyner (9), the most popular boys on Chill Brook Ave. When Ruby isn’t hanging with her friend, Theresa Petticoat, she’s finding out what kind of mischief her brothers are getting into. She’s sweet…
By Teneshia Jackson-Warner Will you be the creator of a hot new startup? Developer of the next blockbuster app? Founder of a nonprofit that helps millions? Dreaming is where it all starts. It’s the first step toward reaching your full potential and living a life you really want. But there comes a time when you…
Written by Marilyn Nelson Illustrated by Wayne Anthony Still Johnnie wants to celebrate her Papa’s birthday, but Papa doesn’t know exactly when that special day is. Johnnie doesn’t understand how that could be. Then she learns about Papa’s childhood–how he built a new life in the all-Black town of Boley, Oklahoma. Inspired by her father’s…
Written by Tricia Elam Walker Illustrated by April Harrison In this moving story that celebrates cultural diversity, a shy girl brings her West African grandmother–whose face bears traditional tribal markings–to meet her classmates. It is Grandparents Day at Zura’s elementary school, and the students are excited to introduce their grandparents and share what makes them…
Written by Derrick Barnes Illustrated by Gordon C. James The barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys…
By Ed Gordon An award-winning journalist envisions the future of leadership, excellence, and prosperity in Black America with this “urgent and pathbreaking” work (Marc Lamont Hill). Hard-hitting, thought-provoking, and inspiring, Conversations in Black offers sage wisdom for navigating race in a radically divisive America, and, with help from his mighty team of Black intelligentsia, veteran journalist Ed…
Written by Derrick Barnes Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton A New York Times bestseller, in which a confident little boy takes pride in his first day of kindergarten! The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets. It sits and shines behind your head–like a crown. Mommy says that today, you are going…
