Celebrate Diverse Authors
Fiction
Four Eids and a Funeral by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé and Adiba Jaigirdar
The death of a beloved mentor, and the need to save and rebuild their fire-damaged Islamic Center, bring former best friends Said and Tiwa back together, rekindling their romantic relationship.
Bad Influence by Claire Ahn
Charlotte balances life as a dutiful daughter and a rising fashion influencer hoping to help her struggling family. When a post about racism goes viral, she is suddenly pulled into fame and opportunity. But as success grows, Charlotte must decide what she’s willing to sacrifice—and who she wants to be.
Between Two Brothers by Crystal Allen
Isaiah “Ice” Abernathy idolizes his older brother Seth and is eager to spend as much time with him as possible before Seth goes to college. However, after a major fight and Seth’s subsequent accident, Ice is determined to help his brother recover, defying the experts by trusting in their strong bond.
It’s All or Nothing, Vale by Andrea Beatriz Arango
Valentina was the top fencer at her gym until an accident forces her to start over. As she struggles to regain her skills and face a new rival, she realizes her biggest challenge isn’t physical. Vale must come to terms with her past to rediscover her passion and sense of self.
Arya Khanna’s Bollywood Moment by Arushi Avachat
As her sister’s wedding approaches, high school senior Arya must navigate fraught family dynamics, the fallout of her two best friends breaking up, and a tense partnership with her rival, the frustratingly attractive student council president.
Something Kindred by Ciera Burch
Jericka Walker is forced to spend her summer in the mysterious town of Coldwater, Maryland, where she meets an enigmatic girl named Kat and begins to uncover dark secrets about her family’s past. As she delves deeper into the town’s eerie history, Jericka questions everything she thought she knew about her life and the boundaries between the living and the dead.
All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis
Aiden, an autistic teen, gets a chance to join the football team but faces doubt from his teammates. When a conflict leads to his brother Brandon being wrongly arrested, everything is put at risk. Determined to help, Aiden sets out to uncover the truth and clear his brother’s name.
The Black Girl Survives in This One edited by Desiree F. Evans
A collection of fifteen horror stories centering on Black girls who battle monsters–both human and supernatural–face down death, and survive.
A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur
In 1506 Joseon, Iseul risks her life to rescue her sister from the tyrannical King Yeonsan, whose reign is marked by brutality. She reluctantly teams up with Prince Daehyun, the king’s half-brother, to overthrow the despot and save the kingdom.
On Again, Awkward Again by Erin Entrada Kelly and Kwame Mbalia
Pacy and Cecil have an awkward but unforgettable first meeting and can’t stop thinking about each other. As they get pulled together while planning a school dance, their connection slowly grows. Through mishaps and misunderstandings, they learn to be themselves and navigate their messy first love.
When We Ride by Rex Ogle
Diego wants to focus on school and escape his tough neighborhood. But when he starts driving his best friend, who is dealing drugs, he gets pulled deeper into dangerous choices. As things escalate, Diego must decide how much he’s willing to risk for loyalty.
The Colliding Worlds of Mina Lee by Ellen Oh
When Mina Lee wakes up for SAT prep, she never expects to be thrust into her own webcomic world, where she’s nearly killed by a supervillain, meets Jin, the boy of her dreams, and uncovers a conspiracy she invented. Now trapped in her fictional creation, Mina must save everyone, even if it means sacrificing her chance with Jin.
Snowglobe by Soyoung Park
In a frozen world, the only warm place is a domed city where people’s lives are broadcast as entertainment. When a girl from outside is chosen to replace a famous star, she finally gets inside. But she quickly realizes the perfect world she admired is built on secrets and lies.
Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds
Over two years, Neon reflects on how his relationship has grown and changed. As things become more serious, he starts to feel unsure about what comes next. He must sort through his emotions and figure out what he really wants.
I Miss You, I Hate This by Sara Saedi
Best friends Parisa Naficy and Gabriela Gonzales grapple with the complexities of their relationship even while they spend their senior year apart due to a pandemic that disproportionately affects young people.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Salahudin and Noor are two Pakistani American high school students who have been best friends since childhood. Each deals with family difficulties: Salahudin with a dying mother and a father who turns to alcohol in grief, and Noor with a spiteful uncle.
Audre and Bash are Just Friends by Tia Williams
Audre hires a carefree new senior, Bash, to help her complete a list of bold challenges for a summer project. What starts as a simple deal quickly becomes more complicated as they spend more time together. As their connection grows, both begin to question if they’re really “just friends.”
Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi
Amal, a talented artist, is wrongly convicted of a crime and sent to prison after a biased system fails him. Struggling with anger and injustice, he turns to poetry and art to cope. Through creativity, Amal begins to find his voice and fight for his story.
Nonfiction
An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
This book reexamines American history by focusing on Indigenous perspectives and the impact of colonization. It explores how policies toward Native peoples shaped the nation’s development. Adapted for young readers, it includes images and resources to encourage critical thinking about history.
Almost American Girl by Robin Ha
Robin’s life is upended when she moves from Seoul to Huntsville, Alabama, due to her mother’s unexpected marriage, leaving her isolated and struggling in a new school. However, her world begins to shift when she enrolls in a local comic drawing class, which helps her express herself and find a place in her new life.
