Let me start off by saying Black history pervades every month of the year, not just February. Nevertheless, the range of recognitions and spotlights on Black achievements, milestones and contributions are wonderful and necessary.
There are a plethora of mediums available to engage with Black art, but for me, books take the cake. Coming-of-age novels featuring young Black characters in the thick of it — navigating identity, family dynamics, trauma and the whirlwind experience that is growing up — are a great way to support the diversity of Black stories.
In the spirit of Black History Month, here are four enriching young adult novels deserving of high praise.
“Upstate” by Kalisha Buckhanon (2005)
Starting off strong, this one is a deep cut. Kalisha Buckhanon is one of many underrated authors who, despite having significant gaps between book releases, has continued to produce authentic writing that consistently emphasizes difficult social issues.
Set in 1990s New York, “Upstate” is the story of seventeen-year-old Antonio, who witnesses the abuse his father inflicts on his mother. After a violent encounter changes the family forever, Antonio finds himself imprisoned, traumatized and anxious about his future. Desperate to hold on to his relationship with his girlfriend, Natasha, he communicates with her through letters. The entire novel is relayed through these written messages, exchanged over a decade, as Antonio and Natasha grapple with their diverging paths and cling to the hope that they will end up where they need to be.
“Concrete Rose” by Angie Thomas (2021)
If you haven’t heard of “The Hate U Give,” you’re lying. Whether you’ve read the best-selling novel or seen the subsequent film of the same name, pretty much everyone knows that the book approaches the notion of what it means to be Black in America. This text highlights the plight of young Black men, who are often perceived as dangerous and undeserving of grace, through the eyes of the main character, Starr Carter.
Being the genius she is, Angie Thomas broadens the context of her debut novel in its prequel, “Concrete Rose.” Readers are taken back to the young adulthood of Starr’s father, Maverick, as he is unexpectedly thrust into fatherhood at seventeen years old. Caught between raising his son, finishing school and navigating the expectations of his community, Maverick is faced with difficult decisions about how to lead his life. Generational ties to a neighborhood gang threaten Maverick’s attempts at going straight, and he must decide if he will overcome or surrender to the pressures that surround him.
“Promise Boys” by Nick Brooks (2023)
Nick Brooks is an author at the forefront of young adult novels displaying perspectives and experiences of young Black men. Best known for his middle-grade book, “Nothing Interesting Ever Happens to Ethan Fairmont,” Brooks brings elements of mystery and the dark side of academia to “Promise Boys.”
The reputable private school Urban Promise Prep is known for producing college-ready Black and brown boys. However, Promise Prep students experience a much more controlling environment than the community realizes exists. On the day Principal Moore sends three students to detention, he is found dead on school property, and the offending boys are the police’s top suspects. The classmates maintain their innocence and race to uncover the real killer before it’s too late. Fans of Brooks’ style of blending young adult issues, mystery/thriller plot lines and racial commentaries can look forward to his forthcoming novel, “Up in Smoke,” which is set to release this May.
“Where the Line Bleeds” by Jesmyn Ward (2008)
With an undeniable talent for depicting the importance of setting in the lives of her characters, Jesmyn Ward has been writing critically acclaimed novels for years. One of her works that doesn’t get enough love is her debut novel “Where the Line Bleeds.”
In the fictional town of Bois Sauvage on the rural Mississippi Gulf Coast, twins Joshua and Christophe are graduating from high school and anticipating their personal and professional trajectories. After being raised by their blind grandmother, whom they have a fierce allegiance to, they settle for finding jobs in the area to keep the family afloat. When their parents suddenly reappear throughout the summer, the brothers are forced to confront their conflicting feelings and decisions about their upbringing, one another and what they truly want for themselves.
If nothing else, these books show that the Black experience is complex and multi-layered. These novels are just a handful of examples that shed light on the wide range of experiences and perspectives that exist for Black Americans, particularly Black men.
I implore readers of all backgrounds to not only relish in the relatability, depth and important conclusions derived from stories about trauma, generational curses and systemic inequalities, but also to take solace in the ways they illuminate the power of joy, hope, perseverance and love.
