It’s summer reading time! Discover a curated reading guide for Black children this summer, featuring all brand-new 2025 releases by Black authors with Black main characters. Organized by age group: Preschool (ages 3–5), School-Age Readers (ages 6–10), and Teen & Young Adult (ages 11–18), and each entry is a 2025 debut and includes a link for easy purchase.
Preschool (Ages 3–5)
Patty Dreams by Nadia L. Hohn (Published January 7, 2025)
- Publisher: Owlkids Books
- Format: Hardcover picture book (32 pages)
- A young Black boy named August wakes up in Jamaica to the aroma of his family’s famous beef patties. When his family emigrates to snowy Toronto, August misses the taste of home. One night, he sneaks downstairs to recreate his father’s patty recipe—reminding everyone that the flavors of home can be carried in the heart, no matter where you are. Nadia L. Hohn (an African Canadian author) uses rhythmic, lyrical text to celebrate Black food culture and the immigrant experience, while Sahle Robinson’s vibrant illustrations convey warmth, family bonds, and Black boy joy.
Saturday Morning at the ’Shop by Keenan Jones (Published January 7, 2025)
- Publisher: Beach Lane Books (Simon & Schuster)
- Format: Hardcover picture book (32 pages)
- Keenan Jones (an African American author and educator) introduces Saturday Morning at the ’Shop, where a young Black boy spends the day at his neighborhood barbershop. Through playful, alliterative language, the book portrays the ’shop as a “sound booth, an art gallery, a playground, a classroom”—a cultural hub where Black community, artistry, and intergenerational bonds thrive.
On Our Way! What a Day! by JaNay Brown-Wood (Published 2025)
- Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books (Penguin Random House)
- Format: Hardcover picture book (32 pages)
- Written by JaNay Brown-Wood (an African American author) and illustrated by Rachel Isadora (an African American–born artist), On Our Way! What a Day! follows six Black siblings as they search for the perfect gift for their grandmother. In simple, rhyming verses, the picture book celebrates family unity, Black childhood experiences, and everyday adventures. Isadora’s warm watercolor illustrations depict the children’s laughter, curiosity, and the cozy closeness of a Black family, making it a delightful choice for preschool read-alouds.
And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison’s Life in Stories by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Published January 7, 2025)
- Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
- Format: Hardcover picture book (48 pages)
- In this lyrical “praise poem,” New York Times bestselling author Andrea Davis Pinkney (an African American author) honors Toni Morrison’s legacy for young readers. Daniel Minter’s evocative art brings to life Morrison’s journey—from imaginative child to Nobel Prize–winning author. While Morrison is an adult, her story is rendered with gentle, poetic prose that preschoolers can follow, introducing them to a powerful Black role model and the beauty of Black storytelling. This picture book doubles as a stunning bedtime read for ages 3–5, who can see a strong, celebrated Black woman at its heart.
Black Girl, Black Girl: Celebrate the Power of You by Ali Kamanda, et al. (2025)
- Publisher: Apricot Estates Publishing
- Format: Hardcover and Kindle (40 pages)
- A lyrical celebration of a young Black girl’s dreams and lineage, with Quartey’s vibrant art reinforcing messages of empowerment and Black excellence. Kamanda also wrote a boy version titled, “Black Boy, Black Boy: Celebrate the Power of You.“
Sounds Like Joy by Yesenia Moises, (May 6, 2025)
- Publisher: Versify
- Format: Hardcover (40 pages)
- A little mermaid explores the magical feeling of playing and creating with fishy friends.
School-Age Readers (Ages 6–10)
Little Troublemaker Defends Her Name by Luvvie Ajayi Jones (May 6, 2025)
- Publisher: Philomel Books (Penguin Random House)
- Format: Picture book (32 pages)
- In this spirited picture book from bestselling author Luvvie Ajayi Jones (an African American author), young Luvvie nervously starts at a new school—only to discover her unique name gets mispronounced, laughed at, or left off merch. With charm and humor, she learns to stand up, correct the bullies, and celebrate her own identity. Ages 6–9 will identify with Luvvie’s journey toward confidence and self-love.
Black Cat by Christopher Myers (Paperback edition, 2025)
- Publisher: Pearson & James Publishing Group
- Format: Picture book (48 pages)
- Through vibrant collage art and rhythmic prose, Christopher Myers (an African American author–illustrator) tells the story of a stray Black cat exploring urban life. It weaves themes of identity, community, and creativity through a distinctly Black lens.
Freedom Bird: A Tale of Hope and Courage by Jerdine Nolen (2025)
- Publisher: Holiday House
- Format: Picture book / Early chapter book (32 pages)
- Jerdine Nolen (African American) and James E. Ransome (African American illustrator) collaborate on this historical-fiction picture book. When a young Black girl hears her grandmother’s freedom-seeking stories, she dreams of a better future. Children will be inspired by its lyrical text and evocative art.
Kele’s Secret by Tololwa M. Mollel (2025)
- Publisher: Disney Hyperion
- Format: Picture book (40 pages)
- Set on a Tanzanian farm, Kele (a Black boy) musters the courage to help his grandmother’s prized hen. Though Tololwa M. Mollel is Tanzanian, this story still features a Black protagonist and rich cultural perspective. It celebrates family bonds and bravery.
Kwesi and Nana Ruby Learn to Swim by Aaron Talley (February 4, 2025)
- Publisher: Children’s Press
- Format: Picture book (32 pages)
- Aaron Talley (an African American author) delivers a bilingual adventure: siblings Kwesi (7) and Ruby (5) overcome their fear of water during summer lessons. It highlights resilience, family support, and Black joy.
When Alexander Graced the Table by Alexander Smalls & Denene Millner (Published January 7, 2025)
- Publisher: Denene Millner Books (an imprint of Simon & Schuster)
- Format: Hardcover picture book (40 pages)
- From James Beard Award–winning chef Alexander Smalls (an African American author) and New York Times bestselling writer Denene Millner (African American), When Alexander Graced the Table tells the story of young Alexander preparing his very first dish for Sunday dinner. Set in a close-knit Southern family, this tender picture book celebrates Black Southern food traditions, family bonds, and the pride a child feels when contributing to generational recipes. Frank Morrison’s warm illustrations enhance the Gullah Geechee culture that underpins Alexander’s journey. Ages 6–10 will delight in seeing a Black boy at the heart of a story about creativity, heritage, and community.
We’re in This Together: Leo’s Lunchbox by Senator Raphael Warnock (April 25, 2025)
- Publisher: Philomel Books (a Penguin Random House imprint)
- Format: 32-page hardcover picture book
- In Leo’s Lunchbox, young Leo brings the same modest bologna sandwich to school each day, until one morning the lunch begins to multiply as he shares it with classmates. Through a modern retelling of the “loaves and fishes” parable, Warnock and Grooms celebrate generosity, community, and Black boy joy.
Pre-Teen (Ages 11–13)
Operation Sisterhood: Stealing the Show! by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich (January 14, 2025)
- Publisher: Crown BYR
- Format: Middle-grade chapter book (approx. 192 pages)
- In this sequel to Operation Sisterhood, four Black sisters decide to stage a community musical, led by Sunday, the aspiring director, only to face family squabbles and creative blocks before opening night. Young readers ages 11–13 will see themselves in the fun, tender portrayal of Black girlhood, creativity, and sisterhood.
The Deadly Fates by Dhonielle Clayton (March 4, 2025)
- Publisher: Quill Tree Books (HarperCollins)
- Format: Middle-grade fantasy novel (320 pages)
- In book three of The Conjureverse, twelve-year-old Amuné—a Black girl who wields ancestral magic—must outwit the titular Deadly Fates to save her community. Ages 11–13 will be drawn to the rich Afrofantasy world, a strong Black girl hero, and high-stakes adventure.
Where There Be Monsters by Alby C. Williams (May 6, 2025)
- Publisher: Leviathan Books
- Format: Middle-grade science fantasy (352 pages)
- Thirteen-year-old Tala Jones, a Black girl with a knack for undersea exploration, discovers sentient “sea-monsters” that challenge everything she knows about marine myths. A blend of STEM themes and Black girl STEM representation makes this perfect for pre-teens who love both science and suspense.
Adia Kelbara and the High Queen’s Tomb by Isi Hendrix (May 7, 2025)
- Publisher: Crown BYR
- Format: Middle-grade fantasy sequel (368 pages)
- In book two of the Adia Kelbara series, twelve-year-old Adia Kelbara, a Black girl with spirit-flame powers, must navigate political intrigue and graveyard magic to protect her kingdom’s most sacred relic. Ages 11–13 will relate to Adia’s courage, cultural heritage, and family loyalty in this Afrofantasy tale.
Weirdo by Tony Weaver, Jr., (2025)
- Publisher: First Second
- Format: Hardcover (320 pages)
- From rising star Tony Weaver, Jr. comes a middle-grade graphic novel memoir about an awkward preteen who loves all things geeky but struggles with mental health issues and self-doubt, perfect for fans of Jerry Craft’s New Kid.
Teen (Ages 14–18)
Bones at the Crossroads by LaDarrion Williams (Summer 2025)
- Publisher: Labyrinth Road Books
- Format: YA fantasy novel (384 pages)
- Sequel to Blood at the Root, this highly anticipated YA fantasy finds seventeen-year-old Malik Jefferson, a Black freshman at an HBCU of magical students, uncovering hidden family secrets and forging his destiny. Ages 14–18 will connect with Malik’s journey through Black college life, magical lineage, and the power of Black boy joy.
The Ephemera Collector by Stacy Nathaniel Jackson (April 1, 2025)
- Publisher: Liveright (W.W. Norton)
- Format: YA Afrofuturist novel (320 pages)
- In this Afrofuturist thriller, eighteen-year-old Xandria Brown—a Black archivist in near-future Los Angeles—scrambles to protect a radical cultural archive amid AI conspiracies. Older teens (ages 16–18) will appreciate its intricate narrative, social-justice themes, and a fearless Black heroine navigating technology’s promises and perils.
Playin’ Hard by Whitney D. Grandison (April 8, 2025)
- Publisher: Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster)
- Format: YA contemporary novel (304 pages)
- Seventeen-year-old Jamal “Jay” Parker, an aspiring Black basketball player, battles family expectations and romantic entanglements when a high-stakes summer league threatens his college prospects. Ages 14–18 will relate to Jay’s struggle for identity, athletic ambition, and authentic Black teen voice.
Out of Step, into You by Ciera Burch (May 20, 2025)
- Publisher: HarperTeen (HarperCollins)
- Format: YA sapphic romance (320 pages)
- Seventeen-year-old Avery Williams, a Black teen chickining for her school’s drill team, falls for Ryan Jarrell, a nonbinary Black classmate new to her hometown. With themes of Black queer identity, chosen family, and self-discovery, this resonates with ages 14–18 seeking authentic YA LGBTQ+ stories.
Pretty Girl County by Lakita Wilson (July 1, 2025)
- Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books (HarperCollins)
- Format: YA contemporary novel (352 pages)
- Sixteen-year-old Kenyan Harper, a Black girl from a small Southern town, navigates newfound fame after a viral track-and-field victory disrupts her life. Ages 15–18 will gravitate toward Kenyan’s journey of ambition, issues of colorism, and embracing Black girl magic in rural America.
The Book of Anansi by Angie Thomas (September 16, 2025)
- Publisher: William Morrow (HarperCollins)
- Format: YA fantasy novel (400 pages)
- In this second installment of the Nic Blake and the Remarkables series, sixteen-year-old Nic Blake, a Black teen in an Atlanta suburb, must protect mortals from trickster spirits drawn from West African mythology. Older teens (ages 15–18) will appreciate Angie Thomas’s blend of Black cultural mythology, urban fantasy, and social commentary.
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