In 2021, members of the Services to Children and Families of African Descent Committee of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association (BCALA) began publishing the inaugural Best of the Best (BOTB) Books for children and young adults.
Criteria: The BCALA Best of the Best Books must:
celebrate, honor, and represent the diversity of the Black/African American experience in the United States and abroad.
portray accurately and authentically the stories of Black/African American leaders.
include (but not limited to) cultural, historical, social/emotional topics, themes relevant to the Black/African American experience
serve the educational and/or recreational needs of the community
be published or released within the specific time frame
be written and illustrated by Black/African American creators
Starting with the Best Books 2025 we will be incorporating both the Kwanzaa Principles and the Black Historical Consciousness Principles
Kwanzaa Principles
Umoja (Unity)
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
Nia (Purpose)
Kuumba (Creativity)
Imani (Faith)
Black Historical Consciousness Principles
Africa & the Diaspora
Black Agency & Perseverance
Black Joy
Power & Oppression
Best of the Best Books 2024 PreK-12th Grade
Best of the Best Books 2023 PreK-12th Grade
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 