ADULT / YA
*** The titles in these dynamic lists are also available as audiobooks and ebooks ***
CHILDREN
"It's a poignant look at her upbringing, the way race shaped her experience and how literature was the outlet she needed to rise above it."
-Dia Wall, 41 Action News Anchor on I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
"This is an adorable way to show the children you love about dynamic black women throughout American history. The images are darling, the stories are authentic and easy to digest and my daughter loves it! A fun, easy read for any family!"
-Dia Wall, 41 Action News Anchor on Little Leaders, Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
"It's a story about a young girl who desperately wants to have the qualities of someone else she deems more beautiful. The journey it takes her on is one that we can all learn from and appreciate."
-Dia Wall, 41 Action News Anchor on The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
"As a young teen, we learned about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X in school. I told my mom that Malcolm X was bad, but Dr. King was good. She quickly asked me, "Who told you that?" The next day, she challenged me to read this autobiography and report back to her what I learned. Needless to say, I found a complex story of self-discovery and a revolutionary figure who was greatly misunderstood."
-Dia Wall, 41 Action News Anchor on The Autobiography of Malcolm X by Aley Haley
"It's a brilliant story about a young woman discovering the intersection of her race and role in protecting her family legacy. There's a ton of action and it's still one of my favorite books!"
-Dia Wall, 41 Action News Anchor on Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor
"One of my favorites from the past two years."
-Kevin Holmes, 41 Action News Anchor on A More Beautiful and Terrible History by Jeanne Theoharis
"It is a great story told by James Baldwin that crosses so many sectors in life and touches on so many issues, from race, to sexuality, to politics, to police brutality. And it has so many twists and turns. Baldwin does an excellent job of taking you to the scene, and making you feel as if you're actually there with the characters. Yet there is an element of surprise."
-Kevin Holmes, 41 Action News Anchor on If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
"The author, Tomie Mickal Williams, of Kansas City, Missouri, was 10 years old when he wrote the first book in the two-part Mighty Boy Series. Now Tomie is 14 and has written 3 more books and is working on his fifth book. Mighty Boy is a Two-Part Series. Spirit Swords is a Three-Part Series. I'm proud of Tomie; he's smart, cleaver, creative, focused and talented. One day I hope his action adventure stories will be the screenplay for a major motion picture!"
-Cynthia Newsome, 41 Action News Anchor on Mighty Boy 1 & 2 by Tomie Mickal Williams
"The author shares his concerns about being a black man in America in this book dedicated to his son. Its personal, interesting, and real."
-Tatyana Presley, 41 Action News Producer on Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates
"An easy read which depicts African-Americans teenage boys differently than the stereotypes."
-Charlie Keegan, 41 Action News Reporter on Sag Harbor by Colson Whitehead
"Poitier is a well-known actor, but The Measure of A Man explores the person, his roots and his spiritual journey on a deeper level that is well worth your time."
- Tod Palmer, 41 Action News Digital Content Producer on The Measure of A Man by Sidney Poitier
"This book does a good job explaining the difference between "not racist" and "antiracist."
-Christina Santiago, 41 Action News Producer on How to Be an Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
"Trae Q.L. Venerable is a local author who takes a look at a history not often learned in schools. The popular children's book based on real-life cowboys has landed Venerable in many area schools to talk to children about historical Black cowboys."
-Katelyn Brown, 41 Action News Digital Content Producer on Grandpa I Just Wanna Be A Cowboy Part 1: Notables from the West by Trae Q.L. Venerable
"It’s a quick and insightful read. I found it incredibly interesting since I had never read a book by an African author and hearing an emotional and deep perspective on colonialism on the African continent. Also ties in some history that is interesting to research after the book. Was chosen as a book club read and everyone liked it."
- Caitlin Sullivan, 41 Action News Producer on Weep Not, Child by Ngũgĩ wa Thiong'o
"During my senior year of high school, this was one of six summer reading books that we discussed in depth throughout the first semester. It is a disturbing and hauntingly beautiful book that remains one of the finest pieces of fiction written in the past 40 years."
- Cat Reid, 41 Action News Investigator on Beloved by Toni Morrison
"This collection of short stories and one novella is nearly impossible to put down. In mere sentences, Evans will have you totally invested in each character's outcome. Loved the twists and turns, as well as the inclusion of current events."
- Cat Reid, 41 Action News Investigator on The Office of Historical Corrections: A Novella and Stories by Danielle Evans
Authors: X, Malcolm; Haley, Alex