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TEENS

Black Voices, Black Lives

Find these books and more online at https://catalog.coolcat.org

All American Boys by Jason and Brendan Kiely Reynolds
When sixteen-year-old Rashad is mistakenly accused of stealing, classmate Quinn witnesses his brutal beating at the hands of a police officer who happens to be the older brother of his best friend. Told through Rashad and Quinn's alternating viewpoints.
Bitter by  Akwaeke Emezi
After a childhood in foster care, Bitter is thrilled to have been chosen to attend Eucalyptus, a special school where she can focus on her painting surrounded by other creative teens. But outside this haven, the streets are filled with protests against the deep injustices that grip the city of Lucille. Bitter's instinct is to stay safe within the walls of Eucalyptus but her friends aren't willing to settle for a world that's so far away from what they deserve. Pulled between old friendships, her artistic passion, and a new romance, Bitter isn't sure where she belongs--in the studio or in the streets. And if she does find a way to help the revolution while being true to who she is, she must also ask: at what cost?
Black Girls Left Standing by  Juliana Goodman
Sixteen-year-old Beau Willet has dreams of being an artist and one day leaving the Chicago projects she's grown up in. But after her older sister, Katia, is killed by an off-duty police officer, Beau knows she has to clear her sister's name by finding the only witness to the murder--Katia's no-good boyfriend, Jordan, who has gone missing. With the help of her friend Sonnet, Beau starts looking for answers. But the more that Beau finds out about her sister's death, the more danger she finds herself in.
Blackout by  Nicola Yoon Dhonielle Clayton
Six critically acclaimed, bestselling, and award-winning authors bring the glowing warmth and electricity of Black teen love to this interlinked novel of charming, hilarious, and heartwarming stories that shine a bright light through the dark.
Concrete Rose by  Angie Thomas
Maverick feels strongly about family ties, making choices necessary to help support his mom while his King father serves time, and leaves him holding his son in a doctor's waiting room after he gets paternity test results back and his baby's momma ghosts. Now the child he's raising is impacting the lives of his family and his girlfriend, and the gang life he led to support them all financially could leave them all bearing his responsibilities since it endangers his life. He may have been offered a chance to go straight, but leaving the King Lords won't be easy, and a real job has a high demand for low return.
Cool. Awkward. Black. by  edited by Karen Strong
Many plotlines compose the eclectic stories found within the pages of this dynamic, exciting, and expansive collection featuring exclusively Black characters. From contemporary to historical, fantasy to sci-fi, magical to realistic, and with contributions from a powerhouse list of self-proclaimed geeks and best-selling, award-winning authors, this life-affirming anthology celebrates and redefines the many facets of Blackness and geekiness--both in the real world and those imagined.
Early Departures by  Justin A. Reynolds
What if you could bring your best friend back to life--but only for a short time? Jamal's best friend, Q, doesn't know that he died, and that he's about to die again. He doesn't know that Jamal tried to save him. And that the reason they haven't been friends for two years is because Jamal blames Q for the accident that killed his parents. But what if Jamal could have a second chance? A new technology allows Q to be reanimated for a few weeks before he dies permanently. And Q's mom is not about to let anyone ruin this miracle by telling Q about his impending death. So how can Jamal fix everything if he can't tell Q the truth?
Legendborn by  Tracy Deonn
To discover the truth behind her mother's mysterious death, a teen girl infiltrates a magical secret society claiming to be the descendants of King Arthur and his knights"-- Provided by publisher.
Love Radio by  Ebony LaDelle
At seventeen Prince Jones has his own segment on Detroit's popular hip-hop show, Love Radio, dishing out advice to the brokenhearted. He dreams of becoming a DJ and falling in love, but being the main caretaker for his mother, who has multiple sclerosis, and his little brother means his dreams will stay just that. Dani Ford is focused on her plan: ace senior year, score a scholarship, and move to New York City to become a famous author. Prince is smitten, but Dani him just three dates to convince her that he is worth falling for.
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
While on trial as an accomplice to a murder, sixteen-year-old Steve Harmon records his experiences in prison and in the courtroom in the form of a film script as he tries to come to terms with the course his life has taken.
Skin of the Sea by  Natasha Bowen
Transformed by the goddess Yemoja into a Mami Wati, an African mermaid charged with collecting the souls of those who die at sea, Simi goes against the gods to save a living boy, Kola, from drowning.
The Upper World by  Femi Fadugba
Today; During arguably the worst week of Esso's life, an accident knocks him into an incredible world--a place beyond space or time, where he can see glimpses of the past and future. But if what he sees there is true, he might not have much longer to live, unless he can use his new gift to change the course of history. Tomorrow; Rhia's past is filled with questions, none of which she expects a new physics tutor to answer. But Dr. Esso's not here to help Rhia. He's here because he needs her help--to unravel a tragedy that happened fifteen years ago. One that holds the key not only to Rhia's past, but to a future worth fighting for.
This Wicked Fate by  Kalynn Bayron
Briseis races to save her family even as she discovers more about their ties to ancient goddesses and deadly curses.
Twice As Perfect by  Louisa Onome
Seventeen-year-old Nigerian Canadian Adanna Nkwachi must deal with an estranged older brother, uncertainty about her future, and helping her cousin plan a big Nigerian wedding.
Updated 02/04/2023