13 books · Clear filters
Ages 3–8
Black Is a Rainbow ColorAngela Joy
Stunningly illustrated by Caldecott Honoree and Coretta Scott King Award winner Ekua Holmes, Black Is a Rainbow Color is a sweeping celebration told through debut author Angela Joy’s rhythmically captivating and unforgettable words.
Ages 3–8
Crowning GloryCarole Boston Weatherford
Celebrate the beauty of Black hair creations through the rhyming text and vibrant collage art of lauded Coretta Scott King Award winners Carole Boston Weatherford and Ekua Holmes.
Ages 3–8
Spin a Soft Black SongNikki Giovanni
A poetry collection which recounts the feelings of Black children about their neighborhoods, American society, and themselves.
Ages 3–8
Hip hop speaks to children : a celebration of poetry with a beatNikki Giovanni
Hip hop speaks to children : a celebration of poetry with a beat by Nikki Giovanni — a thoughtfully chosen inclusive book for young readers.
Ages 8–12
Brown Girl DreamingJacqueline Woodson
A New York Times Bestseller and National Book Award Winner Jacqueline Woodson, the acclaimed author of Red at the Bone, tells the moving story of her childhood in mesmerizing verse.
Ages 8–12
Inside Out and Back AgainThanhhà Lai
Inside Out & Back Again is a verse novel by Thanhha Lai. The book was awarded the 2011 National Book Award for Young People's Literature and one of the two Newbery Honors. The novel was based on her first year in the United States, as a ten-year-old girl who spoke no English in 1975.
Ages 8–12
The CrossoverKwame Alexander
"A bolt of lightning on my kicks, the court is sizzling, my sweat is drizzling. Stop all that quivering, cuz tonight I'm delivering," raps basketball phenom Josh Bell. Thanks to his dad, he and his twin brother, Jordan, are kings on the court, with crossovers that make even the toughest ballers cry. But Josh has more than hoops in his blood. He's got a river of rhymes flowing through him -- a sick flow that helps him find his rhythm when everything's on the line. As their winning season unfolds, things begin to change. When Jordan meets the new girl in school, the twins' tight-knit bond unravels. In this heartfelt novel, basketball and brotherhood intertwine to show Josh and Jordan that life doesn't come with a playbook, and, sometimes, it's not about winning. - Jacket flap.
Ages 8–12
ReboundKwame Alexander
But can Charlie resist when trouble comes knocking once again? From the New York Times-bestselling author Kwame Alexander, Rebound is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself.
Young adult
The Poet XElizabeth Acevedo
Because in the face of a world that may not want to hear her, Xiomara refuses to be silent. “Crackles with energy and snaps with authenticity and voice.” —Justina Ireland, author of Dread Nation “An incredibly potent debut.” ...
Young adult
Clap When You LandElizabeth Acevedo
Great for summer reading or anytime! Clap When You Land is a Today show pick for "25 children's books your kids and teens won't be able to put down this summer! Plus don't miss Elizabeth Acevedo's The Poet X and With the Fire on High!
Young adult
Long Way DownJason Reynolds
National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Jason Reynolds's fiercely stunning novel takes place in sixty potent seconds, the time it takes a kid to decide whether or not he's going to murder the guy who killed his brother.
Ages 3–8
César: ¡Sí, Se Puede! Yes, We Can!Carmen T. Bernier-Grand
Poems and David Diaz’s illustrations trace César Chávez’s life and his fight for farmworkers. A Pura Belpré Honor that keeps the chant — sí, se puede — on the page.
Ages 8–12
When the Rain Sings: Poems by Young Native AmericansNational Museum of the American Indian
Poems by Native youth paired with historical photographs from the National Museum of the American Indian.
