During the giving season, books are always fun gifts for readers of all ages. Great books can generate fun discussions or contentious debates. That’s why book clubs are so popular. But mostly, a good book can create lasting memories, inspire budding writers, and serve as windows and mirrors for developing children and young adults. There were some amazing books released in 2017—from picture books to young adult titles ranging from poetry to science fiction. If someone you know hasn’t picked up one yet, now is the perfect time to get it for them, stick a bow on one, and slide it under the tree. Some of the books on this list have received a lot of buzz, especially those inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement. Others have flown under the radar but have received great reviews nonetheless. Here’s hoping that you find an excellent choice for the readers in your life. All selections are 2017 releases. Our stories matter. Happy Holidays!
Hey Black Child – Useni Eugene Perkins, Bryan Collier | Purchase
Princess Hair – Sharee Miller | Purchase
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut – Derrick Barnes, Gordon C. James | Purchase
The Three Billy Goats Gruff – Jerry Pinkney | Purchase
My Daddy Rules the World: Poems About Fathers – Hope Anita Smith | Purchase
Where’s Rodney? – Carmen Bogan, Illustrator – Floyd Cooper | Purchase
Grandma’s Tiny House – JaNay Brown-Wood, Priscilla Burris | Purchase
Sleep Well, Siba and Saba – Nansubuga Nagadya Isdahl, Sandra Van Doorn | Purchase
Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library – Carole Boston Weatherford, Eric Velasquez | Purchase
The Watcher – Nikki Grimes, Bryan Collier | Purchase
Jake the Fake Keeps It Real – Craig Robinson & Adam Mansbach, Keith Knight | Purchase
Jada Jones: Rock Star (Jada Jones) – Kelly Starling Lyons, Vanessa Brantley-Newton | Purchase
Jaden Toussaint, the Greatest Episode 5: Mission Star-Power (Book 5) – Marti Dumas, Stephanie Parcus | Purchase
Gabriela: Time for Change (Girl of the Year 2017, Book 3) – Varian Johnson | Purchase
Twintuition: Double Dare (Twintuition, Book 3) – Tia & Tamera Mowry | Purchase
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground – Rita Williams-Garcia | Purchase
One Shadow on the Wall – Leah Henderson | Purchase
City Kids: The Ghosts in the Castle (Book 3) – Zetta Elliott | Purchase
The Stars Beneath Our Feet – David Barclay Moore | Purchase
The Rise of the Jumbies (Book 2) – Tracey Baptiste | Purchase
Out of Wonder – Kwame Alexander, Chris Colderley, & Marjory Wentworth, Ekua Holmes | Purchase
The Harlem Charade – Natasha Tarpley | Purchase
Mango Delight – Fracaswell Hyman | Purchase
Pathfinders: The Journeys of 16 Extraordinary Black Souls – Tonya Bolden | Purchase
I Am Alfonso Jones – Tony Medina, Stacey Robinson, John Jennings | Purchase
Allegedly – Tiffany D. Jackson | Purchase
American Street – Ibi Zoboi | Purchase
Piecing Me Together – Renee Watson | Purchase
The Hate U Give – Angie Thomas | Purchase
How Dare the Sun Rise: Memoirs of a War Child – Sandra Uwiringiyimana, Abigail Pesta | Purchase
Calling My Name – Liara Tamani | Purchase
The Prey of Gods – Nicky Drayden | Purchase
Dear Martin – Nic Stone | Purchase
Miles Morales: Spider-Man – Jason Reynolds | Purchase
Little & Lion – Brandy Colbert | Purchase
Your thoughtful donation will support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. Thank you!
