Some of the most iconic and revered children's books of all time were written by Black authors. Unfortunately, these incredibly talented writers, as well as up-and-coming ones, are often pigenholed into a few weeks out of the year and overlooked the rest. Here, we've complied a list of Black children's authors that you should have on your radar and celebrate year-round. Whether you're looking for a magical tale of urban fantasy or inspiration from stories of perserverance, these authors have something to offer anyone and everyone.
has written widely across age groups and genres, and collected many awards. Her first children's book, , is about the Civil Rights Movement and won a 2011 Audie Award. Magoon is also the author of , a Robin Hood retelling set in a dystopian future, starring 13-year-old Robyn as the famous outlaw. Her latest children's book, , follows two brothers who befriend an older boy and quickly find themselves in over their heads with madcap adventures.
was already well established as a great YA author when he wrote his first children's book, , a Coretta Scott King Honor Book about two brothers who visit their grandfather for the summer and become determined to prove how brave they really are. He quickly followed it up with the Track series—, , , and —about four kids on the same track team, and their friendship, dreams, and challenges. Guy Lockard narrates most of Reynolds's books and does a spectacular job of bringing his characters to life.
is a National Book Award winner for her beautiful, self-narrated memoir-in-verse , but she's been writing picture books and children's books for decades. Some of her most notable books throughout the years are , a short and poignant story about bullying; the Newbery Honor Book ; and the lyrical listen, . Her latest is , a middle-grade novel about a group of New York City middle schoolers who find refuge and hope in their unlikely friendship. It's narrated by a stellar full cast that includes the author.
's extensive backlist includes YA and children's books about social justice, history, and identity. She's the author of , a New York Times best seller about a girl with cerebral palsy determined to prove she's smarter than anyone realizes. Draper also wrote the historical novel , in which a girl investigates the reappearance of the Ku Klux Klan in her segregated North Carolina town. Her latest title is , a timely contemporary novel about Isabella, an 11-year-old biracial girl navigating the complexities of her blended family.
