For years, Black coming of age stories have been tough to come by, but the success of works like The Hate U Give and Children Of Blood and Bone have led to a number of titles that explore adolescence from Black perspectives.
Publishers are finally infusing the market with youthful stories that center our children at different points in their development and explore various perspectives and family dynamics. The Black Kids explored the struggles of being one of the few Black students in an affluent high school while Dear Justyce highlights how the justice system is failing Black children.
Authors are offering romances, mysteries, thrillers, and fantasies that speak to the way typical teen scenarios are experienced in the Black community. Here are nine young adult novels that tackle everything from dealing with middle school bullies to surviving your first year of cosmetology school.
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Wings of Ebony – J. Elle
A Southern teen named Rue discovers her mystical ancestry when her mother is murdered causing her father’s sudden appearance. Rue returns to her father’s homeland where she learns she is more than human and is called to fulfill her destiny for the good of gods and mortals everywhere.
This modern star-crossed romance serves E. Lynn Harris-meets-Hamilton for the Shade Room Teens. When a would-be starlet turned understudy starts crushing on the production’s leading man, a viral clip creates drama on and off the stage.
One of The Good Ones – Maika Moulite, Maritza Moulite
When a young activist is killed, her sister struggles with the way her memory is co-opted by the public. This read exposes the pressure respectability politics places on marginalized people.
Nubia’s unique strength and undeniable loyalty doesn’t keep society from dismissing her as less than a wonder woman. Her efforts to protect others are looked at as threatening instead of honorable, leading to clumsy interactions with those around her. Her moms try to protect her from others’ judgments, but when someone threatens her bestie she decides nothing can keep her from saving the day.
Watson tosses over standard teen troupes to showcase a world where the leading guy is smart, the popular clique is full of substance, and the plus-size girl gets to be the star of her own love story.
A teenage cosmetology student trying to manage OCD fights to hide her reliance on rituals from those in her circle and is faced with an ultimatum from her mother. As the disorder seeps into every aspect of her daily life, the boy next door offers her support and potentially more.
Becoming Muhammad Ali – James Patterson & Kwame Alexander
This novel takes a look at the legendary athlete’s life as an average kid with an extraordinary destiny. Readers will follow his life from age 12 to 17 and learn how his early experiences with bullying and racially motivated discrimination inspired him to become a champion.
If you’ve ever gritted your teeth at a superstar’s adopted accent you’ll love the authenticity of this book about Black witches in Canada with Caribbean roots. When a young witch seeks to carry on family tradition, she is forced to find the perfect lover- so she can sacrifice him.
If you’ve ever been to ESSENCE Hollywood House, you know it’s more than just a series of panels—it’s a gathering of visionaries. A space where Black creatives and leaders come together to share stories, strategies, and solutions. This year’s conversation, Let’s Talk About LA: Preserving Our City, presented by AT&T, was no different.
The discussion brought together three voices, each deeply invested in shaping LA’s future: D. Smoke, the Grammy-nominated rapper and educator; Olympia Auset, founder of SÜPRMRKT, a grocery service tackling food apartheid in LA; and DJ HED, a radio personality and advocate for independent artists. Though their paths differed, their mission was the same—creating opportunities, protecting culture, and ensuring Black spaces in LA don’t just survive but thrive.
For Olympia Ausset, the work she’s doing with SÜPRMRKT goes far beyond providing fresh groceries—it’s about laying the foundation for a stronger, healthier community. “The LA we love, the cultural beacon it’s known as today, was built by people who worked hard to create their own spaces,” she shared. “The reason I do what I do is because it’s essential. We can’t achieve any of the changes I want for my community without being in good health and having access to affordable, organic food. Without places where we can gather, heal, and support each other, none of the other goals will be possible. It starts with taking care of ourselves and building those spaces together.”
From Olympia’s focus on wellness and accessibility to DJ HED’s belief in the power of self-worth, the discussion explored what it means to dream beyond individual success and invest in collective progress. “I see a lot of people who aren’t proud of where they come from, what they look like, or where they’re at in life,” he said. “I had to learn to give myself grace, to grow. I grew up in Inglewood, raised by a single mom. We lived in a car, we were on welfare, but I knew I wanted to be bigger than my circumstances. That’s what dreaming in Black is—believing in something greater and nurturing it until it grows.”
DJ Smoke also touched on this, emphasizing the importance of intention and fulfillment. “You don’t want to climb that ladder and realize you went real high in the wrong direction,” he warned. “A lot of people in LA are ambitious, but if you don’t understand your ‘why,’ you can get to the top and still feel empty. The goal isn’t just to make it—it’s to make it mean something.
Sometimes, as Black creatives, we only dream as far as the next gig or the next check, but dreaming in Black means going beyond that. “It means thinking bigger than what’s right in front of you,” said host Donye Taylor.
This conversation was a call to action – a reminder that preserving LA’s Black culture means investing in community, honoring our history, and building a legacy that lasts.
