Best Young Adult Books by Black Authors (2026)

A teen who has never seen themselves in a book will read differently once they do, and the best young adult books by black authors put Black teens at the center of every kind of story: verse novels, thrillers, romances and realistic fiction. We compared books by listed reading age, grade level, print length, series position and what each description says, so you can match the book to the reader.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	The Hate U Give by Thomas	9.8/10	Buy on Amazon
2	The Poet X by Acevedo	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	Clap When You Land by Acevedo	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
4	Concrete Rose by Thomas	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Honey and Spice by Babalola	9.4/10	Buy on Amazon

1

The Hate U Give by Thomas

Angie Thomas·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Starr Carter, sixteen, witnesses the police shooting of her best friend and must decide whether to speak out.

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Pros

• Reading age 15+ years and grade level 9 - 12 both stated and in line
• 480 pages, the longest book here
• Book 1 of 2, so the story continues

Cons

• The description centers on a police shooting and its aftermath, so parents will want to preview it
• Reading age is marked as from customers
• 480 pages is a long commitment for a reluctant reader

2

The Poet X by Acevedo

Elizabeth Acevedo·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Xiomara Batista, unheard at home and at school, pours her frustration into a notebook of slam poetry.

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Pros

• Novel in verse, a fast format for reluctant readers
• 384 pages with a 2020 edition stated
• Reading age 14+ years and grade level 8 - 9 both stated

Cons

• The description includes a teen romance and conflict with a strict parent
• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Verse format will not suit a reader who wants straight prose

3

Clap When You Land by Acevedo

Elizabeth Acevedo·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Two sisters, Camino in the Dominican Republic and Yahaira in New York, learn of each other after their father's death in a plane crash.

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Pros

• Novel in verse like The Poet X
• 448 pages with a July 5, 2022 publication date stated
• Reading age 14+ years and grade level 9 - 12 both stated

Cons

• The story turns on a father's death in a plane crash and grief
• Reading age is marked as from customers
• Two storylines may confuse a reader who likes one narrator

4

Concrete Rose by Thomas

Angie Thomas·9.6/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter deals for the King Lords to support his family until he learns he is a father.

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Pros

• Prequel to The Hate U Give, per the description
• 368 pages with a May 3, 2022 publication date
• Reading age 14 years and up and grade level 9 - 12 stated

Cons

• The description includes gang life, drug dealing and the murder of a loved one
• 368 pages is shorter than the other Thomas pick here
• Seventeen-year-old protagonist skews to the older end of YA

5

Honey and Spice by Babalola

Bolu Babalola·9.4/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

Kiki Banjo, host of a student radio show about avoiding messy relationships, falls into a fake relationship at university.

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Pros

• 368 pages with a July 4, 2023 publication date stated
• College setting suits older YA readers
• Contemporary romance, the only one of its kind here

Cons

• The description frames it as a college romance with mature relationship themes
• No reading age or grade level stated on the listing
• College setting reads older than the YA picks here

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More picks to compare

• Ace of Spades by Àbíké-ÍyímídéFor thriller fans 14 to 18 who like school secrets.Check on Amazon
• Piecing Me Together by WatsonFor readers 11 to 13 who like realistic school stories.Check on Amazon
• Dear Justyce by StoneFor readers 14 to 17, a letters-format sequel about justice.Check on Amazon
• The Boy in the Black Suit by ReynoldsFor readers 12 and up who like grief-and-growth stories.Check on Amazon
• This Side of Home by WatsonFor readers 13 to 17, twins facing a changing neighborhood.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 23 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit for the reader, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where one is given. Four of the five listings give a reading age and a grade level; the fifth states neither. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best young adult books by black authors

Match the book to the reader’s age

The picks here list reading ages from 14+ years to 15+ years, with grade levels from 8 – 9 to 9 – 12. The Hate U Give lists 15+ years and grade 9 – 12, while The Poet X lists 14+ years and grade 8 – 9. Teens who finish these and want speculative fiction next can try our young adult dystopian novels.

Verse novels read fast

Two picks here are novels in verse: The Poet X and Clap When You Land, both by Elizabeth Acevedo. Verse suits a reluctant reader because the pages turn quickly and the white space rests the eyes. For series readers, our young adult sci-fi books list groups more series and standalones.

Follow the series in order

The Hate U Give is Book 1 of 2 and Concrete Rose is its prequel, so read The Hate U Give first. The other three picks are standalones, and each more pick below stands on its own too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age are young adult books for?

The picks here list reading ages from 14+ years to 15+ years and grade levels from 8 – 9 to 9 – 12. Match the listing to your reader, and preview for sensitive themes.

How long are the novels on this list?

From 368 to 480 pages. The Hate U Give is the longest at 480 pages, and three picks run 368 pages.

Do I need to read these in series order?

The Hate U Give is Book 1 of 2 and Concrete Rose is its prequel. The other three picks are standalones.

Still deciding? Our top pickThe Hate U Give by Thomas

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Related lists

See every young adult list and all kids and teens lists.

More lists: young adult LGBTQ books, young adult witch books and young adult historical fiction.