When I entered my years as a young adult I was hard pressed to find books with characters that looked like me and shared my experiences. I read classics by Dickens, Greek Mythology, and whatever my teacher(s) assigned for me to read. During my sophomore year in college I took a women's literature class and discovered Maya Angelou, Edwidge Danticat, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Jamaica Kincaid (If you do not know these authors please do yourself a favor and find out more about them). My world view was changed by these gifted writers and I sank into each of their works. Although I enjoyed the new experiences with books and reading I still felt a bit removed from some of the deeply emotional and intense storylines. I still hadn't discovered titles that spoke more to my experiences and interests as a young adult. Young Adults today in many cases do not have this problem. For quite some time now the young adult book world has been experiencing an explosion. In more recent years, books with characters of color are starting to slowly become mainstream although there is still more work to do regarding this. I recently read a few young adult titles with African-American and Latino leading characters that are not placed in the publishing box of the same overused themes. You know...civil rights, gangsta life, and hip-hop. Do not get me wrong, there is room and space for these kinds of books and I have read my fair share of them. It is refreshing though that these recent reads deal with a host of topics: real world experiences, imaginary beings, tough political issues, and even explore the paranormal world. These books have received much deserved attention and I hope that we will continue to find more titles with characters of color that explore the possibilities. One of the best things about YA fiction and non-fiction is the ability to crossover into the interests of older adults. The next time you go into a library or a bookstore and want a good read do not hesitate to visit the Young Adult Section; you may find a few surprises. Let us know what YA books you have read by leaving a comment below.
Happy Reading!
Recently Read YA (Fiction/Nonfiction)
X (2015) by Ilyasah Shabazz
I could not put this narrative about Malcolm X's life as a young person down. The author, one of Malcolm's five daughters, eloquently wrote from his perspective blending both reality and embellished facts to fill in the gaps of lost history. Readers will find themselves witnessing intimate and private moments of the young man's life who would one day become one of the most important figures in civil rights justice for African Americans. Malcolm experiences the lows and highs of life while trying to find his way in a world that has dealt him a bad hand. Late nights at the local club, traveling back and forth to Harlem for a good time, sleeping with a white woman (in the 1940's), and playing the numbers game...Malcolm has done it all, so how does he find his way to becoming a minister and leader in the Nation of Islam? If you like narrative nonfiction and biographies I would suggest this book. You will not be disappointed.
The Boy in the Black Suit (2015) by Jason Reynolds
Matt doesn't have an easy life. Like many teenagers, he is resilient despite his circumstances. His mother died, his father is an alcoholic, and he witnesses tragedy and death regularly now that he has a job in a local funeral home. When he meets Lovey his life seems to take a turn for the better. In this coming-of-age novel Jason Reynolds digs deep into the trials of a young life and gives us the good, bad, and the ugly of being a teenager when your life isn't sugar-coated and always filled with sunshine. The rawness of this book is one that I can appreciate because it tackles real and hard to talk about issues.
How it Went Down (2015) by Kekla Magoon
I will admit that I haven't actually ready this book yet, but it is on my 'To-Read' shelf. It is highly appropriate for this post so I am sharing it. Staying right on target with the state of our nation regarding law enforcement and black persons Magoon has written a story ripped out of the headlines. A young black teen is gunned down by an older white male and the community cries out for answers. The book takes readers on a journey of ups and downs to find answers about what really happened on that fateful day. This book received a Coretta Scott King Award honor so it must be a good read.
Shadowshaper (2015) by Daniel Jose Older
This was a surprising read for me. I do not usually find fantasy fiction enjoyable, especially if it includes the paranormal world. The teenage female protagonist in this novel is being haunted by strange figures that seem to find her wherever she goes. She cannot help but to think that these experiences are connected to a family secret regarding her grandparents. The gift of art and graffiti has been passed on to her and she must decide to use it to fight the forces that are against her or join them. Set in Brooklyn, NY during the 90's Older integrates language and scenes straight out of that era to bring to life a suspenseful story that even had me waiting on the edge of my seat for the revealing end.
Between the World and Me (2015) Ta-Nehisi Coates
Between the World and Me is my absolute top read for 2015. Written as a letter to the author's teenage son, this book reaches the heart and mind with stories about love, loss, injustice, and the state of our nation. Toni Morrison was quoted saying this book is "required reading" and I believe that someone else said that Coates is the James Baldwin of our generation. I completely agree! This book is honest; it challenges readers to think about our world view as well as how we react to and respond to how black persons in America are treated by those in power and those who want to be in power. The letter is so eloquently written and I cannot begin to truly express the power of it. If you read no other book this year read this one.
YA Authors you Should Know
Tanita S. Davis
Sharon Draper
Walter D. Myers
Jason Reynolds
Jacqueline Woodson
