This reading list includes wonderful books for black boys. It covers a variety of different topics, like racial prejudice, books about fathers and other family interactions, and sports. Plus, the extensive list includes books that are appropriate for Elementary School through Middle School so you are sure to find something to pique their interest!
1. Ghost Boys by Jewel Parker Rhodes
Jerome is killed when a police officer thinks his toy gun is real. As a ghost, he watches how his death changes his family and community. Along the way, he also meets the ghost of Emmett Till. Emmett helps Jerome to better understand how history has led to events.
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2. Brown Boy, Brown Boy, What Can You Be?
An inspiring picture book for early readers with colorful illustrations. Follow Matthew as he goes on a journey to see all the possibilities he has!
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3. Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Mav Carter is the son of one of the leaders of a gang who is in prison. Mav is the man of the house and must take care of his family. However, things change when he finds out he's going to be a dad. He is offered a way out of the gang. Will he take it and prove that he can be different?
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4. Black Boy Joy by Kwame Mbalia
This is an amazing book for any black boy. It includes stories, poems, and more that have been written by influential black male writers like Jason Reynolds and Lamar Giles.
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5. Jack and the Beanstalk by Carly Gledhill
The perfect book for a bedtime story that is a classic tale. Representation is important and black boys should these themselves in all different types of reading. In this story, Jack is a black boy, who tricks the giant with his magic beans.
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6. Bud, Not Buddy by Christoper Paul Curtis
Bud is living in the depression era and doesn't have much - not a mom or dad, not even a real home - but he does have determination. His mother had left him clues to who his father might be. Follow Bud on a journey or hard times and hunger, to find his father.
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7. Cool Cuts by Mechal Renee Roe
A fun book that celebrates the greatness of black hair! The picture book goes through giving positive affirmations and showing the many different awesome styles of hair.
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8. The Swag in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist
Xavier moon is a quiet kid. He generally keeps to himself and isn't known to show out. However, that all changes when his uncle gifts him a pair of wild socks. The men in his family encourage him to gain confidence and speak up. Will the socks help Xavier to have the courage to join an elite after-school group?
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9. Jump! by Floyd Cooper
Based on the true story of Michael Jordan as a child, this book is great for any MJ fan! Though good at sports as a child, Michael was always in his older brother's shadow. But practice and determination help Michael beat his brother at a game of ball.
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10. Ron's Big Mission by Rose Blue
Ron McNair grew up in the segregated south, but that didn't stop him from learning about his passion. Ron loved going to the library and reading about flight and planes, but Ron wasn't able to check books out...that is until he resisted and desegregated his library.
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11. Waiting for Pumpsie by Barry Wittenstein
Bernard's favorite baseball team is the Red Sox and they just integrated their team. Bernard is even more excited because they are calling up Pumpsie, an African American player, from the minors. Bernard will go see him play at Fenway Park!
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12. Preaching to the Chickens by Jabari Asim
A story about young John Lewis, a future Civil Rights leader. John wanted to be a preacher when he grew up and when he was given responsibility over the family chickens, he used this as an opportunity for practice. A great true story about dreaming big!
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13. The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
A beautiful book that is a classic for our youngest readers. "The Snowy Day" features a black boy as the lead and follows him on his urban adventures through the snow.
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14. Double Bass Blues by Andrea J. Loney
A warming book about how music can be a powerful component in our life. With themes of the black family and community, music, and perseverance, this is a wonderful picture book for any young boy.
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15. Jabari Jumps by Gaia Cornwall
A delightful picture book with beautiful illustrations, it tells about Jabari getting ready to take his big jump from the diving board! Like any young trying something new, he is nervous; however, Jabari has an emotionally supportive father to help him reach his goal!
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16. Last Stop On Market Street by Matt de la Pena
A charming book about appreciation and giving back. CJ and his nana take a bus after church and CJ questions things a bit - why aren't they taking a car? Why is the part of the city they get off so grimey? In the end, his gram makes him realize there's beauty in all...especially things that are different and in giving to others.
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17. The King of Kindergarten by Derrick Barnes
An inspirational book and an adorable story about starting kindergarten! This can be an anxious time for any child, but this boy's parents inspire him to be the "King". A positive and exciting book about the beginning of school!
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18. Dough Boys by Paula Chase
A book for older black boys about being a dough boy....or choosing to leave that life and take other opportunities. A story of friendship, growing up in the projects and making a difficult choice. A great middle-grade book read!
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19. Clayton Byrd Goes Underground by Rita Williams-Garcia
A heartwarming book about familial bonds, loss, and using music to cope. Clayton loves his cool Papa Byrd and wants nothing more to be part of his band, but then Papa dies. Clayton's mom refuses him to play the harmonica and the blues so Clayton runs away on an adventure to find the band...
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20. The Harlem Hellfighters
A great historical nonfiction book for black children to learn more about their important history. The story of the Harlem Hellfighters is one of bravery and fighting for democracy during a period of history that was racist and segregated. An important read for black boys to remember the remarkable men who gave up their lives in the means of service to this country.
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21. Brown Boy Joy by Tomishia Booker
This book celebrates the black boy with expressive illustrations and affirmations! A reminder to black boys everywhere, they are amazing and special!
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22. Just Like Your Daddy by Tiffany Parker
A lovely story and a reminder of the love black fathers have. This story of a father bonding with his son through daily interactions and observations. A reminder that positive male representation is important to our little black boys.
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23. Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History by Vashti Harrison
A beautiful picture book for kids to learn more about important men in black history. Each page has dynamic illustrations of African Americans who have contributed greatly to society, alongside a bio of achievements.
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24. Crown by Derrick Barnes
A great read-aloud book that celebrates the importance of the barbershop. A place of community, where little boys go in and come out feeling great with a fresh cut! The barber shop plays an important role in the black community and this book shows just why!
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25. Black Boy, Black Boy by Ali Kamanda
A joyful read told in verse. The picture book tells the story of many accomplished black men throughout history - such as Obama and Kaepernick. It will inspire male black youth, that they too, can achieve greatness.
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26. Black Boy Be You by Latoshia Martin
An African-American boy, Isaiah, spends a day at the park and begins to notice he has different attributes than those around him. The book encourages boys and speaks of differences as a strength. A nice book to teach children about self-esteem and self-love.
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27. Chocolate Me! by Taye Diggs
A sweet book for children that celebrates our differences! A little boy goes to school and is made fun of because of his different hair and dark skin. However, his mother makes sure he knows that he is special...inside and out!
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28. Whoosh! by Chris Barton
An extraordinary story and a great read for any kid who likes science books. The book is about Lonnie Johnson's awesome accidental invention! Lonnie worked as an engineer at NASA and never did he think he would invent one of the most popular toys...
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29. The Stars Beneath Our Feet by David Barclay Moore
This is a type of coming-of-age story. Lolly lives in Harlem and his black brother was killed a few months ago in gang violence. Lolly waffles between joining a gang like his brother, or choosing a different road. A gift of LEGOs from his mother's friend might just inspire him enough to take a different road than his brother.
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30. The Story of Barack Obama by Tonya Leslie PhD
An amazing story to share with any black boy is the biography of our first black president. A leader of more than just the US, but of African American children everywhere. Obama is a true role model and it makes a great book to gift!
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31. I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes
The book has expressive illustrations done in paint and is a lovely read-aloud for encouraging self-love. The narrator, who is a confident black child, tells about how is awesome, even when he makes mistakes. Makes for a great read-aloud book for children.
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32. Peekaboo Morning by Rachel Isadora
A board book with beautiful illustrations that focuses on a simple family interaction with a game of peekaboo! It is the perfect book for very new readers with the family playing a simple game of peekaboo with a little boy.
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33. Donovan's Word Jar by Monalisa DeGross
Just a nice read for kids where the main character is a black boy. Donovan loves words and fills his jars with new words each day...that is until the jar is filled! Follow him on his vocabulary journey and find out what he does when he fills his jar.
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34. Future Hero by Remi Blackwood
Let's face it, there are not enough black superheroes! This is a fun fantasy book where Jarrell, who gets made fun of at school and never seems to fits in finds a secret portal...and they think he is a hero comes to save them!
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35. Ghetto Cowboys by G. Neri
Cole's disruptive antics at home in Detroit lead him to be sent off to live in Philly with his father. He has never met his father, so he's not very excited. But then Cole starts working with local urban cowboys who rescue horses. Will Cole change his ways? An inspiring book about second chances.
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