5 Great Black reads for teens & young adults
Being completely immersed in a book is one of the most satisfying things. And often those immersive experiences take place in a world where the central characters are non-Black (or to be fair not even human, but that’s a digression). Not to say it completely takes away from the quality or even enjoyment of the stories, but it certainly hits differently when these characters are indeed Black. For our younger audience we have selected some great reads to diversify their bookshelf with amazing Black characters, including Abi Daré’s New York bestseller The Girl with the Louding Voice, the tale of a young girls’ dream for a better life and many more.
This strong spirit will not be broken as she fights for her dreams to come true
The Girl with the Louding Voice by Abi Daré is a heart warming story of a young Nigerian girl who has grown up in a village and dreams of living in an upstate rich city. Daré boldly delves into the harsh truths of young girls from poor families in Nigeria who are sold to older men; in need of the money and freedom, and the want for their daughters to be looked after. The protagonist Adunni becomes a wife at the tender age of 14 and yet, is resilient, funny and inquisitive. When it looks like there is no hope, Adunni finds a way as she mends broken bridges into relationships and becomes a voice no one can ignore.
Does the energy you send out in the universe always come back?
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas, centres around Starr Carter who is a 16 year old African American girl who lives in two worlds. During the day, she attends a private school in the suburbs, a sacrifice her parents make to provide her with the best opportunities. In the evening, she is home, in her neighbourhood, where her father is a small business owner. Her world comes crashing down when her best friend Khalil is shot and killed by a police officer. Thomas’ debut novel is based on the fatal murder of Oscar Grant, who was killed by a white police officer in 2009.
A fresh take on personal struggle
The Last Black Unicorn by Tiffany Haddish is an art of comedic genius. Her debut book is hilarious, especially in audible as she narrates her way from accepting her mole to sleeping in a car. Brilliantly, scripted and delivered in a way where the trauma is surrounded by anecdotes. You cry and then laugh and gasp as you understand her life. We learn of her many years on the comedy circuit before getting her big break, and where many of us were introduced to her brand of comedy in Girls Trip. No, she was not discovered in a day, Hollywood did not fall at her feet. The Last Black Unicorn is an enjoyable, powerful book that can be read for inspiration or for the jokes. But it’s also just a fresh take on personal struggle.
Are you bringing something unique to the table?
We all have personal goals to break the glass ceiling in our respective schools, colleges, universities and workplaces. Well Slay in your Lane presents - Loud Black Girls, this innovative storytelling will help you navigate all those spaces and make big moves. The book is a collection of 20 female writers sharing their current and future career opportunities and how you too can level up. Once again, Yomi Adegoke and Elizabeth Uviebinene authors of Slay in your Lane - The Black Girls Bible discuss how the loudness comes from within each and everyone of us and about bringing something unique to the table. It is showing the beauty in our loudness and how to harness it. Absolutely loving the beauty of encouragement in this book, it’s a power read.
New age fantasy meets African Traditions
Tomi Adeyemi introduces the first volume of a three project trilogy with Children of Blood and Bone. This young adult fantasy tale centres around three protagonists who take us on their quest to fight the spirits and demons. Adeyemi brings a new light to the mysteries that surround African magic and their powers. Zélie, Princess Amari, daughter of the despot king, and Prince Inan live in a special kingdom called Orïsha where all becomes lost in a second and we are taken on their individual journeys through love, pain, racism in a jam packed adventure. Adeyemi gives escapism like no other as she captivates each reader with an exciting yet emotionally exhilarating tale of good vs evil and all that lies between.
