- Written by Latifat Adeshina
- Category: Blog
With Black History Month coming to an end, I hope that you have been able to read a few of the books that I have recommended. If not, I have more recommendations and it is never too late to start! This will be the last installment of the series, in which I will introduce titles on the topics of self-love and acceptance. I have divided them into kid-friendly, adult fiction and non-fiction categories.
These books play a large part in displaying how it is to be a person of colour. While reading these books, you get to step into the character's shoes and experience their life, some more than others. In the end, you leave with an understanding of their thoughts and struggles. I especially love this collection because it breaks down generalizations and stereotypes that lead to detrimental ways of thinking in our society. You’ll find themes of body positivity, self-love, religion, sexuality, intersectional identities, humour, abuse, self-discovery, inspiration and mystery. So read along if these are your areas of interest and place requests for book holds online.
Kid Friendly
Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams
Genesis Begins Again is the story of a middle school girl who tries to find self-love and acceptance in an environment that does nothing but make her feel bad about her dark skin and features. Her dad is a gambler and an alcoholic who spends all the rent money. It is a regular occurrence for her family to get kicked out of the house because of unpaid bills. Genesis faces bullying in school and has a list of 96 things she hates about herself. Her father, mother and grandmother regularly point out the tone of her dark skin and her hair. This leads her to potentially cause physical damage to her skin by trying to scrub it with bleach. Recommended for ages 11 and older.
New Kid by Jerry Craft
A graphic novel about a boy who gets enrolled into a mostly white private school even though his previous school was predominantly black. He is forced to balance his new and old friends and challenges his new classmates’ beliefs about people of colour while they challenge his beliefs and stereotypes about white people.
It’s refreshing to see a book that relates to the real issues and experiences children go through in middle school, especially when they are the new kid coming in with a different perspective. Recommended for ages 8-12.
The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
This story is about a boy named Norris who moves from Montreal, Quebec to Austin, Texas. He prepares himself for the move by characterizing real American teenagers from the movies he watches. As a result, he ends up categorizing all his classmates, judging them by assigning them names.. These names include: “hairy armpits”, “the cheerleaders”, “the jocks”, “the loners”, and “the manic pixie dream girl.” In the end, Norris realizes that the characteristics he’s assigned to the people in his school are not as they seem. Recommended for ages 13-17.
Interested? Borrow this book at one of our branches to follow Norris and find out what it's like to be the new black kid from Canada in an American school.
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut by Derrick Barnes
A story book highlighting the experience of black boys and men at the barber shop. The feeling of getting a fresh trim is related to feeling like royalty. Recommended for ages 5-12.
Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks by Jason Reynolds
A humorous tale based on the adventures of middle schoolers on their way home from school. Included in the ten stories are the characters going through funny and embarrassing moments, and dealing with illness, heartbreak, and friendship. Recommended for ages 10-14.
Fiction
My Sister, The Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
Themes of gender, violence and family ties run through this story which is set in Lagos, Nigeria. Older sister Korede must protect her younger and more beautiful sister, Ayoola at all costs even if she is a murderer. This book cannot be summarized any further or I would be providing spoilers! This is a perfect read if you love thrillers, murder-mysteries and dark comedy.
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernadine Evaristo
This book represents voices that have been marginalized or “othered” and reveals complexities of the identities of marginalized women of almost every age. It follows the life of a teenager and her mother, the life of a successful investor and her mother’s story emigrating from Nigeria to Britain. It also tells the story of friends and lovers. There is much intersectionality of black women whose stories are not typical. This book tells their stories and the complexities that come with them. It also challenges the ideas of these intersectionalities.
The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo
A coming of age story about sexuality, finding your voice, dealing with strict parents, religious influences, body positivity, family dynamics and the male gaze.
Nonfiction
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
A funny memoir written by Trevor Noah. He tells funny stories of his childhood in South Africa while addressing issues such as apartheid, racism, segregation and discrimination.
Black enough: Stories of being Young and Black in America edited by Ibi Zoboi
An anthology of stories from various authors which highlight the different ways that one can be black. These stories challenge the narrative of blackness through the themes of identity, wealth and poverty, relationships, sexuality and immigration. This book especially emphasises how being black comes in different forms and looks many different ways as opposed to the stereotypes and portrayals in popular media.
Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
This is a book about self-discovery as Jacqueline searches for her strengths and learns about her history. Growing up in New York during the civil rights era post segregation, Jacqueline makes friends who together, seek to learn more about the civil rights movement and discover their love for Angela Davis.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
A book about Maya Angelou’s life from age 3 to 16. Maya recounts her experience with racism and segregation, family relationships, abuse, self-discovery, violence, rape, and sexual identity.
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