black YA fiction BOOKS TO CLOSE OUT 2020

Every book in our curated list of Black YA fiction are Black authors published in the last half of 2020.  Complex issues are addressed which flesh out the humanity of Black life in all of its expressions.  I was reminded of the limited set of Judy Blume books available to me during my younger days and how excited I am now to see authors that look like me address such diverse topics for this age group.

The books we've selected are as follows:

1.  "Punching the Air" by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam 
2.  "Dear Justyce" by Nic Stone
3. "Malcolm and Me" by Robin Farmer
4.  "Every Body Looking" by Candice Iloh
​5.  Raybearer by Jordan Ifueko

1.  "Punching the Air" by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam

The latest in a set of "novels in verse", "Punching the Air bursts on the scene to directly take on the range of emotions that occurs when being judged or pre-determined guilty as a Black young man in American.  Zoiboi artfully describes this uncomfortable topic in deep heart speak language that reels the reader in immediately.  I think that young people will hear their own voice and stop out of a naturally induced curiosity to read more.  It is refreshing to see books that are not afraid to tackle difficult topics.  It causes the reader to feel they've been seen and heard in a society that too often ignores or castigates without question.

2.  Dear Justyce by Nic Stone

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It is exciting to see books written for teens that have adaptations for the classroom.  That's exactly what "Dear Justyce" has available to it.  After flipping through the handouts, it is refreshing to see exercises for teachers to prep for the group sessions as well.  The future of books looks good when this level of engagement is encouraged.   Fresh content that teens can relate to is the best recipe to reach students and teachers. 

"Dear Justyce" is about an incarcerated teen named Quan who sends letters to a judge Justyce to plead his case.  Some of the exercises in the classroom adaptation are to do research on the criminal justice system, write a poem from the point of view of the main character, and to write in a journal to reflect on key points in the novel.

The classroom curriculum guide that is available for "Dear Justyce" is reminiscent of Afriware's work with a community group to make the book "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas available as a conversation starte.  Community organizer Randall McFarland and Rajeska Jackson led the campaign in 2018 to raise funds to purchase books for some classrooms in the Proviso East area and sponsor students to watch the movie for free (see picture above).  The event and interaction was well received and I believe paved the way for future collaborations.  The Curriculum updates in this watch-the-movie and read-the-book break out sessions were also implemented for an Oak Park District collaboration with the book "Stamped:  Racism, AntiRacism and You: A Remix" in mid 2020 as well.  I do hope more schools will dare to adopt this format as an updated curriculum game changer that works well for all.  The one-way format that has plagued the school system for decades is outdated and does not have the same impact.

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excerpt from "Dear Justyce" displays the "novels in verse" style

3.  "Malcolm and Me" by Robin Farmer

This novel addresses a commonplace school interaction amongst students whose parents have supplemented their studies with Black History at home.  The protaganist questions her Catholic teacher about the "enslavement" of one of the founding fathers of the US, Thomas Jefferson.  As a bookseller, I've often heard parents lament at how this understandable point of contention plays out.  I'm happy to know there is a book available now that I can suggest for teens that may have to decide which battles to wage and which to wait it out on. In vivid detail, Farmer takes us nose-to-nose with the rogue teacher's intellect and attitude and how it it effected her and the students around her.

I was absolutely impressed with use of the term "enslavement", in the description of the book; this more accurately describes our plight.  Author Robin Farmer is a national award winning journalist who is striving to write for young people in film and TV.  At a minimum readers will become curious about the book, "Autobiography of Malcolm X' which the main character named Roberta Forest is noted as reading and being influenced by.  The book is set in the 1970's and discusses themes still relevant today such as:  faith, family, and social activism.

4.  "Every Body Looking" by Candice Iloh

​This is another novel written in free-verse. Poems be as short as 1 sentence and still hold a powerful pop.  The novel takes place at an HBCU.  The father is Nigerian and very religious.  The main character is "Ada" who is just entering college with all of its twists and turns.  She struggles with choosing a career that is more "money making" than her Artistic interests.  Some challenging subjects are addressed such as sexual abuse and dysfunctional families.  Her description of college school overcrowded parties with loud music and smokey air will bring back memories with her time-capsuled detail.  When parents ask for recommendations, they may at first hesitate, until they realize that reading about undesireable circumstances can serve to prevent future curiosities because of the lessons learned from a true to life book.  Author Iloh is a graduate of Howard University with an MFA in journalism.

5. "Raybearer" by Jordan Ifueko  

"Raybearer", an African inspired fantasy novel is author Jordan Ifueko's debut.  You will find Fairy's with afros and enchanted leopards in the mythological global empire she's created called Aritsar.   The author said in a recent Youtube interview, that she feels most comfortable writing fantasy because she  has always marveled at how mythology focuses on what a community reveres and fears.    She also said she intentionally selects terms in her writing that better describe the ethnicity of her characters like the phrase, "she blushed" would not be appropriate for a dark-skinned character.  Instead, she would describe the character's cheeks burning.  The mind of Ifueko is filled with a magical mixture of her Nigerian Heritage and her US experiences.  The protaganist, Tarisai, has a task to complete, but is torn by what she comes to learn on her journey.

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I'm excited about these selections which would make great gifts or if you're like me, you may want to relive the excitement and adventure from childhood.  Click on any images above to support our Black owned bookstore, or view the entire Young Adult category here.