8 Fiction Books With Black Lead Characters For All Children

I'm going to cut to the chase...

Books With Black Lead Characters Are For Everyone!

We need to raise children that see colour, appreciate cultural differences, and understand that whilst different people face different types of obstacles, there is greatness in everyone.

If we want black children to be more confident about who they are, more ambitious about who they can become and more curious about what they can create it is imperative that they read books where they can see people like themselves leading, overcoming challenges and answering the call to adventure.

If we want white children to view black people as equal, have an awareness for the world outside of themselves and see the value in having people of colour in their lives, then it is also imperative that they read books with black lead characters so that they can go beyond being nice and charitable to actively wanting to engage with black people because they know that they can also lead, achieve and rise to the challenge.

Whether you are a parent, family member, friend, or teacher, it takes a village to raise a child! Everyone's input counts!

So I've shared a few fiction books to help us get the ball rolling as we intentionally begin to shape the future today!

Sulwe

Author: Lupita Nyong'o

Illustrator: Vashti Harrison

Written by Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o, this story of Sulwe gently introduces children to the concepts of colourism, self-confidence and inner beauty. Stunningly illustrated by Vashti Harrison, Sulwe is the tale of a little girl who has a darker skin tone than her family and school friends. All she wants is to be lighter, until one night she goes on a magical adventure, and her mind opens up to her natural beauty.

Hair Love

Author: Matthew Cherry

Illustrator: Vashti Harrison

Based on the Oscar-winning short film, this is the story of Zuri, her dad, and her hair. Zuri's hair is beautiful, but it can have a mind of its own. For a special occasion, Zuri and her daddy need to work together to style her hair, and show that natural is brilliant! A wonderful book that celebrates the love of fathers and daughters, as well as putting black hair front and centre.

Look Up!

Author: Nathan Bryon

Illustrator: Dapo Adeola

Hilarious, science-mad chatterbox, Rocket is going to be the greatest astronaut, star-catcher, space-traveller that has ever lived!

But... can she convince her big brother to stop looking down at his phone and start LOOKING UP at the stars?

Bursting with energy and passion about science and space, this heart-warming, inspirational picture book will have readers turning off their screens and switching on to the outside world.

Moon Girl And Devil Dinosaur: Full Moon

Authors: Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare

Illustrator: Natacha Bustos

Brains and brawn! Tony Stark, Victor von Doom, T’Challa, Amadeus Cho - the greatest minds in the Marvel Universe all have one thing in common: They’re not smarter than a fourth-grader! Lunella Lafayette is the smartest there is — and her brain is matched by Devil Dinosaur’s brawn! They’ll need both to stand up to some of the worst villains the world has to offer — and maybe even one of its greatest heroes! Because while Reed Richards, the guy who used to be the cleverest of all, is away, his best pal, Benjamin J. Grimm, is here to defend his pole position! Then Lunella has her biggest adventure yet: A journey to the Living Planet! But are you ready for Moon Girl to meet - Girl-Moon? And who exactly are Devil Girl and Moon Dinosaur?!

Black Panther: A Nation Under Our Feet Book 3

Author: Ta-Nehisi Coates

Illustrator: Brian Stelfreeze

T'Challa must fight like never before for the fate of his nation and one of his most trusted allies is back to stand by his side. As the final battle begins, the entirety of Wakanda's glorious history may be their most potent weapon.

But even if the People fall, can the monarchy still stand? The pieces are all in position, now it's time for Ta-Nehisi Coates and Brian Stelfreeze to knock over the board as their revitalization of Black Panther continues!

Ghost

Author: Jason Reynolds

Ghost. Lu. Patina. Sunny. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team--a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. They all have a lot to lose, but they also have a lot to prove, not only to each other, but to themselves.

Running. That's all Ghost (real name Castle Cranshaw) has ever known. But Ghost has been running for the wrong reasons--it all started with running away from his father, who, when Ghost was a very little boy, chased him and his mother through their apartment, then down the street, with a loaded gun, aiming to kill. Since then, Ghost has been the one causing problems--and running away from them--until he meets Coach, an ex-Olympic Medalist who sees something in Ghost: crazy natural talent. If Ghost can stay on track, literally and figuratively, he could be the best sprinter in the city. Can Ghost harness his raw talent for speed, or will his past finally catch up to him?

Dear Martin

Author: Nic Stone

Justyce McAllister is top of his class and set for the Ivy League - but none of that matters to the police officer who just put him in handcuffs. And despite leaving his rough neighbourhood behind, he can't escape the scorn of his former peers or the ridicule of his new classmates.

Justyce looks to the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for answers. But do they hold up anymore? He starts a journal to Dr. King to find out.

Then comes the day Justyce goes driving with his best friend, Manny, windows rolled down, music turned up - way up, sparking the fury of a white off-duty police officer beside them. Words fly. Shots are fired. Justyce and Manny are caught in the crosshairs. In the media fallout, it's Justyce who is under attack.

Noughts & Crosses

Author: Malorie Blackman

Sephy is a Cross: she lives a life of privilege and power. But she's lonely, and burns with injustice at the world she sees around her.

Callum is a nought: he's considered to be less than nothing - a blanker, there to serve Crosses - but he dreams of a better life.

They've been friends since they were children, and they both know that's as far as it can ever go. Noughts and Crosses are fated to be bitter enemies - love is out of the question.

Then - in spite of a world that is fiercely against them - these star-crossed lovers choose each other.

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