Joyful Black YA

All photos by M. A. McCuen

“I can’t help but wonder how different the world would look if we’d all grown up seeing Black people do the stuff white people did in books. Going on adventures. Saving the day. Falling in love. Solving mysteries. Dealing with a broken heart. Getting caught up in a riveting love triangle. Taking down oppressive regimes. What if we’d seen Black people in books just being human?”

These are the words of Nic Stone, the YA author of Dear Martin (another essential YA novel on racial injustice.) In an article this month, she discussed how often our reading lists are filled with Black suffering, without giving readers the opportunity to read about Black joy and Black excellence. To help amplify some of my favorite Black YA writers, I compiled a list of my favorite joyful Black YA novels. These books are not without hardships and struggle, but they also allow the protagonists to have the adventures, romances, and successes that have previously only been given to privileged, white protagonists. These are some of my favorite books to share with students – the ones that inevitably get lost because students keep borrowing them with worn covers and dog ears pages from so many reads. I hope they become favorites on your shelves as well.

With the Fire on High by Elizabeth Acevedo

The story of Emoni, a teen mom and aspiring chef, who won’t let anything stop her from following her dreams. When her school offers an opportunity to study cooking in Spain, Emoni wants so badly to go. But the trip is expensive, the teacher is strict, and she’s never left her daughter for a full week. Emoni’s tenacity and dedication is put to the test. I am a huge fan of Elizabeth Acevedo, and I also recommend her newest novel, Clap When You Land, a verse-novel about sisterhood and grief.

The Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds

This is a fun, heartbreaking, and imaginative story about Jack and Kate, two teens who fall in love. When Kate suddenly and tragically dies after Prom, Jack gets a chance to go back in time to  try and  save Kate’s life. In a “Groundhog Day” plot, Jack will stop at nothing to save the love of his life. Despite the serious subject, this book will keep you giggling with Jack’s cheesy lines and attempts to start a band with his friends.

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas

Written in  such a vibrant voice, Angie Thomas writes about Bri in On the Come Up, a teenage rapper who wants to make it big. Her rap goes viral for the wrong reasons, and the consequences spiral out of control. Bri is  a real, breathing teenage girl who is trying to figure out how to be herself and whose characterization refreshingly defies the expectations for the novelized teenage girl . This book deals with serious issues: drug abuse, gang violence, racial profiling, and urban poverty. Thomas writes about these with intimacy and without sugar coating her experiences. As a bonus,  Bri’s raps are really good and will definitely get stuck in your head.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adyemi

If you are looking for a YA fantasy that you won’t be able to put down, I highly recommend Children of Blood and Bone. It reimagines a magical version of Nigeria called Orisha, where magic has been taken away by a cruel monarchy. In an effort to save Orisha from oppression, a girl named Zelie teams up with a rogue princess to bring back magic. It’s full of adventure, bravery, and quality YA romance tropes!

Pride by Ibi Zoboi

This brilliant novel reimagines Pride and Prejudice with Black families in Bushwick, Brooklyn. Full of the hilarious family dynamics and awkward romance that we all love in P&P, this book also considers gentrification and wealth distribution in cities. My absolute favorite part is the way that Zoboi writes the “Pemberley” scene at Howard University. I also recommend the audiobook, read by Elizabeth Acevedo (I told you I’m obsessed) which I use with my students as we read Pride & Prejudice.

I Wanna Be Where You Are by Kristina Forest

The ideal contemporary YA rom-com! Against her mom’s wishes, Chloe is determined to audition for the Avery Johnson Dance Conservatory (inspired by Alvin Ailey) and so she decides to use the week her mom is out of town to roadtrip to the audition. At the last minute, her annoying neighbor and his smelly dog decide to join her for the ride! Filled with all the cute YA tropes and lots of adorable romance, this novel is a delight! It also discusses Black women’s experiences in ballet and challenges what is commonly known about the art form .

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

As soon as I heard about this book, I knew it was one of those books I needed to have in my classroom. It’s about Liz, who gets into the most prestigious college in the state but doesn’t get the scholarship she needs in order to attend. She decides the solution is to win Prom Queen. Liz is convinced she’s too poor, too Black, and too queer to ever win Prom Queen in Indiana suburbia. Filled with sweet wlw romance and some classic high school YA tropes, I’m excited to watch my students fight over who gets to read this first in the fall.

Reading is a great way to educate yourself on racial injustice, but it’s important not to stop there. Take action – speak up, donate, challenge your fears. And when you do read, t don’t let your choices  stop there. Don’t limit your understanding to just one aspect of being Black in America. Fill your reading lists with Black joy, Black dreams, and Black creativity!

*While many of the photos included in this feature Book of the Month branded copies, please note that I have since cut ties with BotM.

---

M. A. McCuen is a secondary English literature teacher based in Omaha, Nebraska. Originally from Michigan, she has a BA in English and French from University of Notre Dame and a M.Ed from Creighton University. Having previously lived in France and Ireland, she spends her scant free time plotting ways to travel the world on her teachers salary.