Last month, the National Book Awards Longlist for Young People’s Literature was announced, with six of the ten titles authored by Black writers. Among these six titles are four poetry books or novels-in-verse: A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe by Mahogany L. Browne, (S)Kin by Ibi Zoboi, The Leaving Room by Amber McBride, and Truth Is by Hannah V. Sawyerr. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the publication of middle-grade and young adult novels-in-verse. On Black Poetry Day, observed on October 17, explore the works of Mahogany L. Browne and the three authors who are National Book Award finalists—Zoboi, McBride, and Sawyerr. The winner will be announced next month on November 19.
The books on this list feature poems from both historical and contemporary poets. For more middle-grade and young adult books to celebrate Black Poetry Day and beyond, see this list posted earlier this year.
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1. This Is Not A Small Voice: Poems by Black Poets
Traci N. Todd (Compiler) | Jade Orlando | Nosy Crow | September 30, 2025
2. Poemhood: Our Black Revival
Amber McBride | Erica Martin | Taylor Byas | HarperTeen | January 30, 2024
3. Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance
Nikki Grimes | Bloomsbury Children’s Books | January 5, 2021
4. One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance
Nikki Grimes | Bloomsbury Children’s Books | January 3, 2017
5. The Black Arts Movement (Poetry From The Masters)
Useni Eugene Perkins | Just Us Books | February 25, 2014
6. Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat
Nikki Giovanni | Sourcebooks Explore | October 1, 2008
7. Poetry from the Masters: The Pioneers
Wade Hudson | Just Us Books | July 1, 2003
8. Words with Wings: A Treasury of African-American Poetry and Art
Belinda Rochelle | Quill Tree Books | December 26, 2000
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