Young Adult Literature Books written by Black Authors!

As I mentioned last week, I didn't feel comfortable returning back to writing about my normal content. I wrote about Black Owned Beauty Companies that I've bought from and love. Today we're going to talk about Young Adult Literature written by Black Authors!

When I was in college, I took a Black Women Writer's Class & an Young Adult Literature, which I really enjoyed. It really really opened my eyes to the works written by Black Women. I included a few of the books that I enjoyed during class.

I decided to divide the books by Genre. Today, I'm going to start with one of my favorite Genre's, Young Adult Literature! Let's get right into it.

Young Adult Literature

Monster by Walter Dean Meyers (Drama)

Steve is on Trial for murder. Guilty or Innocent, "the system" could care less. As long as someone takes the fall for the drugstore owner's death. The story follows Steve through the use of journal entries & a screenplay that Steve himself writes about the entire experience.

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Finding Yvonne by Brandy Colbert (Contemporary Self-Discovery)

Yvonne has always had her violin to keep her company, especially since their mother walked out on them. She's about to graduate, and is filled with doubt of not being good enough to go to a conservatory after high school. With twists and turns, she has to make extremely difficult decisions about her future.

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Wrong in all the Right Ways by Tiffany Brownlee (Romance)

Emma has always had her life perfectly in control, the one thing she never expected was to fall in love with the one person she isn't supposed to, her foster brother. They keep their love and relationship a secret, uncertain of what the future holds for both of them.

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This Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender (LGBTQ+ Romance)

Playing it safe with his heart has always been Nathan's MO. Then Oliver, Nathan's childhood best friend, ends up popping back into Nathan's life. After a mix-up when they were younger, that ruined their friendship, Nathan finally has the chance to tell Oliver the truth. But will he do it?

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The Belles by Dhonielle Clayton (Fantasy)

In Orleans, the people are born gray, and only with the help of a Belle can they be made beautiful. It's not enough for Camellia to be a Belle. She wants to be the Belle chosen by the Queen of Orleans to live in the royal palace, to tend to the royal family and be recognized as the most talented Belle. Once Camellia and her Belle sisters arrive at court, it's clear that being the favorite isn't everything she dreamed it would be.

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Dear Martin by Nic Stone (Fiction on Race Problems on the US)

Justyce is at the top of his class and on his way to go to an Ivy League school after graduation. None of that mattered to the police officer who put him in handcuffs. When the media finds out about the whole conflict, Justyce is the one who is under attack.

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The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds (Contemporary Romance)

Just when seventeen-year-old Matt thinks he can’t handle another bit of bad news, he meets a girl who’s been through a lot more. She might be able to teach him how to rise up when life keeps knocking him down.

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The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas (Fiction on Race Problems on the US)

Starr Carter is stuck between two worlds, the poor neighborhood she lives in and the fancy prep school she goes to. Everything changes when her best friend is shot by the hands of a cop while he was unarmed. Everyone's trying to figure out what happened that night, and the only one who can answer the question is Starr.

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On the Come Up by Angie Thomas (Self-Discovery Fiction)

Sixteen-year-old Bri wants to be one of the greatest rappers of all time. As the daughter of a hip hop legend, Bri’s got huge shoes to fill. It’s hard to get ahead when you’re labeled a hoodlum at school, and your fridge at home is empty after your mom loses her job. She pours all of her frustrations into her first song, which goes viral for all the wrong reasons.

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Jackpot by Nic Stone (Romance)

Rico is a high school senior who works afternoons as a cashier at the Gas 'n' Go. Then she runs home to take care of her younger brother. This happens every day. When Rico sells a jackpot-winning lotto ticket, she thinks maybe her luck will finally change. Maybe with some help from her popular and rich classmate Zan, she can find the ticket holder who hasn't claimed the prize. Will this investigative duo succeed?

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Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds (Romance)

When Jack and Kate meet at a party, bonding until sunrise over everything and anything, Jack knows he’s falling—hard. Then Kate dies. Their story should end there. Yet, Kate’s death sends Jack back to the moment they first meet, and Kate’s there again. Jack isn’t sure if he’s losing his mind. Still, if he has a chance to prevent Kate’s death, he’ll take it. Even if that means believing in time travel. However, Jack will learn that his actions aren't without consequences.

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When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk (Friend Relationships)

It's been almost a month since Cleo and Layla's friendship imploded. Now Cleo wants to erase every memory that connects her to her ex-best friend. Pretending Layla doesn't exist isn't as easy as Cleo hoped after she's assigned to be Layla's tutor. Despite budding friendships with other classmates, Cleo's turbulent past with Layla comes back to haunt them both.

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The Voice in My Head by Dana L Davis (Sister Relationships/Family Fiction)

For Indigo, life has always been about basking in the shadow of her identical twin, Violet. When Violet becomes terminally ill, Indigo begins to hear a mysterious voice—a voice claiming to be God. The Voice insists that if she takes Violet to a remote rock formation in the Arizona desert, her sister will live. Violet agrees to go—if their family tags along for the ride. With all nine members stuffed into an old bus, Indigo has to find a way to face insecurities she’s spent her whole life masking and step up to lead the trip.

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I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest (Romance)

When Chloe’s mom forbids her to apply for a spot at the dance conservatory of her dreams, she comes up with a secret plan to drive two hundred miles to the nearest audition. Chloe hits her first speed bump when her annoying neighbor Eli insists upon hitching a ride, threatening to tell Chloe’s mom if she leaves him and his smelly dog behind. So now Chloe’s chasing her ballet dreams down the east coast with two unwanted passengers in her car, butterflies in her stomach, and a really great playlist on repeat.

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A Love Hate Thing by Whitney D. Grandison (Romance)

Despite having been shot, Tyson has survived the streets of Lindenwood, so nothing can faze him. Not even being tossed into the affluent community, Pacific Hills. Nandy, the golden girl of Pacific Hills, isn't happy when she hears her parents are taking in a troubled teen boy. Nandy suddenly fears her summer plans, and her reputation, will go up in flames. With time, Tyson brings Nandy out of her shell, and Nandy tries to melt the ice that’s taken over Trice’s heart. With the constant pull back to the Lindenwood streets, it’ll be a wonder if Trice makes it through this summer at all.

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Now that I've Found You by Kristina Forest (Romance)

Following in the footsteps of her famous grandma, eighteen-year-old Evie Jones is trying to be Hollywood’s next big star. That is until a close friend’s betrayal leads to her being blacklisted. Luckily, Evie knows just the thing to save her career: a public appearance with America’s most beloved actress—her grandma Gigi. Days before Evie plans to present her grandma with an honorary award in front of Hollywood’s elite, Gigi does the unthinkable: she disappears. With time running out, Evie reluctantly gets the help of the last person to see Gigi before she vanished, Milo Williams. As Evie and Milo search across New York City, Evie makes some surprising discoveries about her grandma—and herself.

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The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert (Romance)

Marva has always been driven to make a difference in the world, and what better way than to vote in her first election? Duke, on the other hand is so done with this election. He just wants to vote, so he can prepare for his band's gig tonight. Only problem? Duke can't vote. When Marva sees Duke turned away from their polling place, she takes it upon herself to make sure his vote is counted. She hasn't spent months encouraging people to vote, just to see someone denied their right. That's how their whirlwind day begins, turned away time and again, trying to do one simple thing: vote. They may have started out as strangers, but it's clear that there may be more to their connection.

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Charming as a Verb by Ben Philippe (Romance)

Henri can charm just about anyone. He is a star debater and popular student at the prestigious FATE academy, the dutiful first-generation Haitian son. There is only one person who seems immune to Henri’s charms: his classmate and neighbor Corinne. When she uncovers Henri’s less-than-honest dog-walking scheme, she blackmails him into helping her change her image at school. Henri agrees. What started as a mutual deal turns into more than either of them ever bargained for.

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All the Things We Never Knew by Liara Tamani (Romance)

From the moment Carli and Rex first locked eyes on a Texas high school basketball court, they both knew it was destiny. That kind of connection, the immediate and raw understanding of another person, just doesn't come along very often. And as rising stars on their basketball teams, destined for bright futures in college, it seems like a match made in heaven. But Carli and Rex have secrets. As do their families.

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Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo (Sister Relationships)

Just as I finished editing this post, my friend got me this book for my birthday! Super excited to read it! [Thanks Christina!]

Camino lives for the summers when her father visits her in the Dominican Republic. But this time, on the day when his plane is supposed to land, Camino arrives at the airport to see crowds of crying people. In New York City, Yahaira is called to the principal’s office, where her mother is waiting to tell her that her father, has died in a plane crash. Separated by distance, and their father's secrets, the two girls are forced to face a new reality in which their father is dead and their lives are forever altered.

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So this is a list of some Young Adult Literature books written by Black Authors. Do you have anything else to add to the list? Which ones are you most interested in reading? Let me know in the comments below! I already know where my next paycheck is going! Next time I'm going to talk about Adult Fiction! I hope you're all having a wonderful day/night. Sending you love, strength & postivity.