Black Boy, Rise

Author: Brynne Barnes

Illustrator: Bryan Collier

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal

Classification: By a multiracial author and an African American illustrator about African American boys and what they can achieve

Cover image © Chronicle Books. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.

Black Diamond Kings

Author: Charles R. Smith Jr.

Illustrator: Adrian Brandon

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal

Classification: By an African American author and African American illustrator about historical African American baseball players

Cover image © Candlewick Press. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.

Brown Girl, Brown Girl

Author: Leslé Honoré

Illustrator: Cozbi A. Cabrera

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and School Library Journal

Classification: By a “Blaxican” author and African American illustrator about encouraging brown and Black girls to embrace themselves and take courage from the brown and Black women who came before them

Cover image © Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (Hachette). Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.

Daddy Dressed Me

Author: Michael Gardner & Ava Gardner

Illustrator: Nadia Fisher

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, and School Library Journal

Classification: By an African American father-daughter duo about how the father makes clothes for his daughter. Illustrated by an African American illustrator.

Cover image © Simon & Schuster. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.

Fish Fry Friday

Author: Winsome Bingham

Illustrator: C.G. Esperanza

Audience: Lower Elementary

Justification: Reviewed by Booklist, Horn Book Magazine, and Kirkus Reviews

Classification: By an African American author and African American illustrator about an African American family and their customs

Cover image © Abrams Books. Source: official publisher webpage. Used under fair use.