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Black Joy

black joy books

During Black History Month, we encourage you to pick up a book that centers and celebrates Black joy. On this list, you’ll find a variety of books for all ages – romances, fantasies, adventures, memoirs and more – that highlight Black lives, communities and relationships. To read summaries or to place a hold, click on the link.

YOUTH:

Bedtime Bonnet by Nancy Redd
Rocket Says Look Up! by Nathan Bryon
Trombone Shorty by Troy Andrews
Hair Love by Matthew A. Cherry
I Am Enough by Grace Byers
I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
Jada Jones series by Kelly Starling Lyons
J.D. the Kid Barber series by J. Dillard
Saturday by Mora Oge

Middle Grade:

Ways to Make Sunshine by Renee Watson
Black Boy Joy edited by Kwame Mbalia
From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Love Double Dutch! by Doreen Spicer-Dannelly
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
The Season of Styx Malone by Kekla Magoon
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia

young adult:

Friday I’m in Love by Camryn Garrett
Cool, Awkward, Black by Karen Strong
Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas
A Phoenix First Must Burn by Patrice Caldwell
Love is a Revolution by Renée Watson
Black Girl Magic: A Poem by Mahogany L. Browne
Proud: Living my American Dream by Ibtihaj Muhammad
Batter Royale by Leisl Adams

adult:

The Book of Delights by Ross Gay
The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert
Wow, No Thank You by Samantha Irby
Bingo Love by Tee Franklin
Meals, Music, and Muses: Recipes From My African American Kitchen by Alexander Smalls
In West Mills by De’Shawn Charles Winslow

The City We Became by N.K. Jemisin