40 Books for National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

June 2018 is the twelfth-year observance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. A 2006 proclamation, issued by President George W. Bush, declared the importance of “recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States.” The Caribbean—or West Indies—is made up of many islands. Among them, only Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad, and a few others are independent countries. All the authors listed are of Caribbean heritage, and most reside in America; their stories mostly feature Caribbean characters or settings. Hopefully, as you peruse the list, you’ll appreciate and support their wonderful windows and mirrors contributions to children’s and young adult literature. Our stories matter.

Every Little Thing (2012) Bob Marley & Cedella Marley, Illustrator – Vanessa Brantley-Newton 

Malaika’s Costume (2016) – Nadia L. Hohn, Illustrator – Irene Luxbacher 

Mama God, Papa God: A Caribbean Tale (2016) – Richardo Keens-Douglas, Illustrator – Stefan Czernecki 

Grandma’s Records (2001) – Eric Velasquez 

Birthday Suit (2012) – Olive Senior, Illustrator – Eugenie Fernandes  

Rice & Rocks (2016) – Sandra L. Richards, Illustrator – Megan Kayleigh Sullivan 

A Season for Mangoes (2005) – Regina Hanson, Illustrator – Eric Velasquez  

A Nest Full of Stars: Poems (2004) – James Berry, Illustrator -Ashley Bryan 

America, My New Home (2004) – Monica Gunning, Illustrator – Ken Condon 

I Am the Virgin Islands (2012) – Tiphanie Yanique, Illustrator – Moses Djeli  

Take a Picture of Me, James Van Der Zee! (2017) – Andrea J. Loney, Illustrator – Keith Mallett 

Celia Cruz, Queen of Salsa (2005) Veronica Chambers, Illustrator -Julie Maren 

Eight Days: A Story of Haiti – Edwidge Danticat, Illustrator – Alix Delinois 

Visiting Langston (2005) – Willie Perdomo, Illustrator – Bryan Collier 

I Am Awesome (2015) – Garcelle Beauvais & Sebastian A. Jones, Illustrator – James C. Webster

Island in the Sun (1999) – Harry Belafonte, Illustrator – Alex Ayliffe

Running the Road to ABC (1996) – Denize Lauture, Illustrator – Reynold Ruffins 

The Steel Pan Man of Harlem (2009) – Colin Bootman  

My Caribbean Grandma (2016) – Sandra Campbell-Notice, Illustrator – Anura Srinath 

The Field (2018) – Baptiste Paul, Illustrator – Jacqueline Alcántara 

I and I Bob Marley (2009) – Tony Medina, Illustrator – Jesse Joshua Watson 

Marcus Garvey (2007) – Suzanne Francis-Brown, Illustrator – Jean Jacques Vaysierres 

Blue Mountain Trouble (2009) – Martin Mordecai 

Popo and Fifina (1932) – Arna Bontemps & Langston Hughes, Illustrator – E. Simms Campbell 

Ashley Bryan: Words to My Life’s Song (2009) – Ashley Bryan, Photographer – Bill McGuinness    

A Wave in Her Pocket: Stories from Trinidad (1991) – Lynn Joseph, Illustrator – Brian Pinkney  

Angel’s Grace (2005) – Tracey Baptiste 

Game World (2014) – Christopher John Farley 

Hurricane Child (2018) – Kheryn Callender 

Secret Saturdays (2010) – Torrey Maldonado    

The Poet X (2018) – Elizabeth Acevedo   

The Sun Is Also a Star (2016) – Nicola Yoon   

The Star Side of Bird Hill: A Novel (2015) – Naomi Jackson 

American Street (2017) – Ibi Zoboi 

The Chaos (2012) – Nalo Hopkinson 

Soldier: A Poet’s Childhood (2000) – June Jordan 

Shadowhouse Fall (2017) – Daniel José Older    

Untwine – (2015) – Edwidge Danticat 

Touching Snow – M. Sindy Felin 

Show and Prove (2015) – Sofia Quintero  

Have you read any of the titles listed? Who are some of your favorite children’s authors of Caribbean heritage? Leave a comment below.

Please know that your thoughtful donation will support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. Our stories matter. Thank you!