Celebrating Black History Month: Great Fiction by Black Authors

Not much is more important in the creative realms than representation. There’s something about seeing yourself in a character, on a screen, on a page. Recognising in a novel someone who thinks the way you do, who reacts in the same way that you used to get teased for, or who overcame the same obstacles you’ve been facing for years and came through the other side. Black authors are a part of that representation.

As a teacher, there are many books and shows that I’d love to use in my classroom, simply because of the representation contained within, be it Diversity and Inclusion from Rick Riordan’s tales of mythology, some LGBT visibility from Star Trek: Discovery, or the mind-bending look at racism when seen through Noughts and Crosses.

I want nothing more than to offer my students the chance to see themselves immortalised, just a little bit. I want nothing more than for them to see that they are valid, that they are treasured. I want them to see their differences prized so that they can start to prize them themselves. 

Representation matters.

On that note, I’ve done my absolute best to compile a list of twelve books to read in honour of Black History Month. There are links where you can find each of the selections below, just remember to check with your local bookstore for availability.

The list has been organised alphabetically by title so as to encourage you to browse though books you might not usually look at. Pick something old, pick something new. Try some Black authors you’ve never heard of, and take a step out of that comfort zone. 

I challenge you.

Another Country (1962) by James Baldwin

Set in Manhattan’s Jazz Clubs of the late 1950s, Another Country explores themes of love and racism.

The book is available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Beloved (1987) by Toni Morrison

Set in Cincinnati in the mid-1800s, Beloved deals with guilt and consequences that come from slavery.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Book of Echoes (2020) by Rosanna Amaka

Set in Brixton, 1981. Book of Echoes contains parallel narratives that touch on themes of slavery, love, and familial attachments.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Book of Negroes (2007) by Lawrence Hill

Book of Negroes is a historical fiction slave narrative spanning three continents and featuring a stong female protagonist.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Freshwater (2018) by Akwaeke Emezi

Set in modern-day Nigeria, Freshwater explores themes of identity, family, and self discovery.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

The Grey Storm (2019) by Lee Knafa

Set in Germany in the Second World War, The Grey Storm deals with racism, identity, loyalty, and injustice.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

The Hate U Give (2017) by Angie Thomas

Set in the modern-day United States, The Hate U Give is a highly topical narrative centered around the fiercely relevant Black Lives Matter movement.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Mine Boy (1946) by Peter Abrahams

Set in Apartheid South Africa, Mine Boy looks at themes of injustice, privilege, and courage.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Full Text Available on Google Books.

Noughts and Crosses (2001) by Malorie Blackman

Set in an alternate universe of our own world, Noughts and Crosses deals with themes of racism, love, and injustice.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

Rainbow Milk (2020) by Paul Mendez

Set in the 1950s, Rainbow Milk contains themes of racism, religious exploration, and sexual identity. 

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. As always, please check with your local bookstore for availability.

An Unkindness of Ghosts (2017) by Rivers Solomon

Set on a generational spaceship, An Unkindness of Ghosts offers a speculative fiction take on racism, slavery, difference, and determination.

Available at the following links in Canada, the U.K., and the U.S.. 

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Crossing several decades worth of literature, pulling from authors from around the globe, some well-known and others not, it is my sincerest hope that within these books you can find a little bit of yourself.

In 2017, @Ericsmithrocks — an author and literary Agent with PS — said something that I haven’t been able to get out of my head. “When kids grow up not seeing themselves in books they grow up feeling like they don’t matter.” 

Let’s be really and truly honest with ourselves for a moment here.

It’s not just kids, is it?

Representation matters.

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Need more great reads? Check out these book roundups.

• May Holidays Book Roundup
• October Book Roundup
• 12 Amazing Biographies and Memoirs of Women in History
• December Book Roundup
• 10 Best Novels by Women Authors
• 18 Best Fantasy Novels of 2015-2020
• 10 Best Classic Science Fiction Novels