KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Picture Books, African American Young Adult Literature

365 Black Books Angela Johnson Friday

Belated birthday wishes Angela Johnson! Born June 18, Angela Johnson is an award-winning children’s and young adult author, poet, and an 2003 McArthur Fellow. Here are just a few of the 40 books she has written since she began writing in 1989.

KRLemmons African American children's literature, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Young Adult Literature

365 Black Books Wellness Wednesday for Children and Young Adults

Months ago, I featured titles for “Mindfulness Monday” Today, I am featuring some fiction titles that might help children and young adults mentally, socially, and emotionally.

Book 1: I am Enough by Grace Byers

Book 2: A Place Inside of Me by Zetta Elliott

Book 3: Stuntboy by Jason Reynolds

Book 4: We Are All Good at Smiling by Amber McBride

Book 5: The Minus-One Club by Kekla Magoon

Book 6: Break This House by Candice Iloh

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Illustrators, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Young Adult Literature

365 Black Books Fun Friday with a classic and some books from the 2025 BOTB booklist

Today, it’s about having fun on a Friday. Starting with:

Book 1: Water, Water a classic by Eloise Greenfield; illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist

Book 2: Soggy Like Cush Cush by Karly Pierre; illustrated by Kristen Uroda.

Book 3: Black Diamond Kings by Charles R. Smith; illustrated Adrian Brandon

Book 4: Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson

KRLemmons African American children's literature, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Young Adult Literature, Best of the Best Black Books

365 Black Books 2025 BCALA Best of the Best Black Books (BOTB) Saturday

The 2025 BCALA BOTB has been published and is now ready to be released.

Book 1: Prek-4: Dream A Dress, Dream a Poem by Nancy Johnson James; illustrated by Diana Ejaita

Book 2: 5-8: The True Story of Vanilla by Ann Richards; illustrated by Arden Taylor

Book 3: 9-12: Nic Blake and The Remarkables: The House of Anansi by Angie Thomas

KRLemmons African American Authors, African American children's literature, African American Middle Grades Literature, African American Young Adult Literature, Best of the Best Black Books

365 Black Books Kinda Fun/Funny Books from the 2021 BCALA Best of the Best Black Books

These books focus on fun, humor, family, black love and joy, and other themes. Happy reading!

Book 1: Count to Love! by Andrea Davis Pinkney How many ways can you count to love? On fingers and toes, on legs and arms, with belly kisses? Award-winning Andrea Davis and Brian Pinkney bring this sweet board book read-aloud to life with joyful text and exuberant illustrations, capturing that vivacity and energy so familiar to the parents of toddlers.

Book 2: Dream Street by Tricia Elam Walker; illustrated by Ekua Holmes  

Cousins take readers on a neighborhood tour and introduce them to the wonderous people who call Dream Street home.

The Swag is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist.  Xavier is so close to being great and the Scepter League could get him there. Everyone in his family has been a part of the club and now maybe he will be a member as well. Hopefully with the addition of the socks from his uncle and the notes he’s been receiving he will find his way.

Book 4: Long Division by Kiese Laymon After City Coldson’s breakdown during a quiz contest goes viral he is sent to stay with his grandmother. There he embarks on a time bending journey and the only constant is City and a book with a mysterious author named Long Division.