As Black history month comes to an end, there has been an amazing progression in content and how we as an industry are moving forward in our perception of children’s media.
There has been a recent resurgence in book-to-film adaptations as an industry takes note of the great impact a written narrative can make on the screen. Books are again in the limelight, with stories like Lupita Nyongo’s children’s book, Sulwe, which pens the journey of a dark-skinned girl who wishes for her skin to be lighter.
Colorism is a subject many don’t think or have to think about in their everyday lives. For children who experience these micro-aggressions, they are game-changing to be made and developed for all to see. We are now delving deeper into how different stories are being told and how different cultural perspectives are appearing on screen.
For everyone who wants to be seen and for children who wish to experience other worlds, below is a list of books written by black authors released this year to check out. These new stories are inspiring all audiences and we hope they will inspire creators for possible medium changes from book to the screen.
Amari and the Night Brothers by B.B. Alston
Amari And The Night Brothers is a middle grade fantasy that tells the story of a young girl, Amani, whose brother goes missing. Wondering why the police won’t look further into his mysterious disappearance, she comes across a briefcase that may tell her where her brother went but also exposes her to a magical world she never fathomed to exist.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
One of the most popular new stories on this list is The Gilded Ones by debut author Namina Forna (age range 15-17). The Gilded Ones is an African Fantasy that follows a young girl, Deka, who must figure out what to do when she finds out her blood runs gold, a dangerous trait in her society.
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Next on our list is Legendborn (ages 12+) also released this month by Tracy Deonn. Legend Born is a children’s fantasy where a lost child, Bree, loses her mother, only to uncover a world of magic and how magic may be connected to her and her family.
Black Girl Call Home by Jasmine Mans
Black Girl Call Home is a poetry book collection about what it means to be a resident raised in Newark dealing with racism, poverty, and the LGBTQ community.
Time for Kenny by Brian Pinkney
Time for Kenny is a beautiful picture book focusing on a series of events about a young boy named Kenny. Young children can read, hear, see, and follow Kenny throughout his day as he makes certain decisions. A great book for beginner readers.
We hope that you check out these brand new stories by new and well-known authors. There is always more room for growth and more stories to tell. This is only the beginning of the change that can transpire.
Children's Media Association 