18 Canadian books for children and young adults to read during Black History Month 2024

Explore this reading list of recent YA, middle-grade and picture books from buzzworthy Black Canadian authors.

CBC Books Posted: Feb 08, 2024 9:52 AM EST | Last Updated: February 8

In celebration of Black History Month 2024, explore this reading list of YA, middle-grade and picture books from buzzworthy Black Canadian authors.

Calling all writers! The 2024 CBC Nonfiction Prize is now open

The Probability of Everything by Sarah Everett

A Black woman with curly hair and glasses looks at the camera. A book cover of a girl in a dress standing in the rain. — The Probability of Everything is a novel by Sarah Everett. (Cassandra Williams, HarperCollins)

The Probability of Everythingfollows 11-year-old Kemi Carter, an avid fan of probability. When she sees an asteroid hovering over the sky, her perspective on everything changes. The asteroid has an 84.7 per cent chance of colliding with Earth in four days. Is she the only one who feels like the world is ending?

The finalists for the 2023 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text

The Probability of Everythingis for ages 8 to12.

Sarah Everett is an author of several books for teens, currently based in Alberta.She won the 2023 Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature text forThe Probability of Everything. Her debut novel isSome Other Now.

LISTEN | Sarah Everett on Edmonton AM:

The Melancholy of Summerby Louisa Onom

On the left, a book cover shows a young Black girl skateboarding on a street. On the right, a Black woman smiles into the camera. — The Melancholy of Summer is a YA novel by Louisa Onom. (HarperCollins, Linda Arki)

The YA novelThe Melancholy of Summeris about a girl named Summer who must fend for herself when her parents abruptly leave town. When Summer is discovered to be living alone, without a guardian or a permanent residence, for a whole year, she is sent to live with a cousin who teaches her more about trust and the meaning of resilience.

The Melancholy of Summeris for ages 14 and up.

Louisa Onom is a Nigerian Canadian author living in Toronto. Her YA books include novelsLike HomeandTwice as Perfect.

LISTEN | Sarah Raughley onbooks that feature marginalized characters:

13:31Sarah Raughley, Top Three #OwnVoices YA

Author and TNC columnist Sarah Raughley talks to Shelagh Rogers about her Top Three #OwnVoices young adult novels.

Stay Up by Khodi Dill, illustrated by stylo starr

A black book cover with white and pink bubble text and hands being raised in the air. — Stay Up is a book by Khodi Dill, pictured, and illustrated by Stylo Starr. (Annick Press, Carly Brown Photography)

Stay Upis a YA nonfiction book that blends memoir, cultural criticismand anti-oppressive theory to reflect on anti-racism strategiesand approaches. Khodi Dill examines issues includinginternalized racism, decolonizing schools, joining social justice movements and outlines paths to personal liberation and social transformation.

Stay Upis for ages 14 and up.

Dillis a Saskatoon-based Bahamian Canadian educator, poet and author. His firstbook,Welcome to the Cypher,is a picture book about music and the transformative power of rap music. His picture book titledLittle Black Lives Matterwas published in 2023. Dill's writing and poetry features themes of community activism, anti-racism and social justice. He was named byCBCBooks as a "writer to watch" in 2022.

stylo starr is a Jamaican Canadian illustrator,collage artist and creative facilitator based in Hamilton, Ont. Starr's workcentres nature, fantasyand notions of the Afrofuture.

LISTEN | Khodi Dilldiscusseswriting books for young readers:

Saskatoon Morning6:58A Saskatoon writer's latest work is all about affirming the lives of young people

The latest children's book from local author Khodi Dill is called Little Black Lives Matter, featuring Black heroes like Maya Angelou, Rosa Parks, Jesse Owens and Martin Luther King Jr. Host Leisha Grebinski speaks with Dill about why he wrote it.

Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury

On the left, a woman in a floral dress and hat smiles into the camera. On the right, a book cover of the book Delicious Monsters. — Delicious Monsters is a YA novel by Liselle Sambury. (Stuart W., Margaret K. McElderry Books)

The YA novelDelicious Monstersis set in Toronto and involves a girl named Daisy who can see ghosts. When her mother inherits a secluded mansion in northern Ontario, Daisy discovers supernatural secrets that might be beyond her control. Flash forward a decade later and a teen named Brittney gets wrapped up in a mystery about what befell Daisy years prior.

Delicious Monstersis for ages 12 and up.

Liselle Sambury's YA novelBlood Like Magicis a fantasy/sci-fi mashup about Black Canadian witches in Toronto

Liselle Sambury is a Trinidadian Canadian YA writer and blogger. Her debut novel,Blood Like Magic, was onthe shortlist for the 2021 Governor General's Literary award for young people's literature text.

LISTEN | Liselle Sambury discussesDelicious Monsters:

The Next Chapter15:10Liselle Sambury takes a page from Shirley Jacksons classic The Haunting of Hill House in her latest book

Liselle Sambury sets a compelling story of mother-daughter relationships at a haunted house in her supernatural YA thriller Delicious Monsters.

Shovels not Rifles by Gloria Wesley

On the left a book cover shows three men holding shovels, looking into the camera and at each other and smiling. On the right a woman smiles looking into the camera. — Shovels not Riflesis a historical YA novel by Gloria Wesley. (Formac, Submitted by Gloria Wesley)

Shovels not Riflesis a historical YA novel that follows a youngBlack man namedWill, who enlists andjoins theNo. 2 Construction Battalion, Canada's only all-Black battalion, in the First World War. Will experiences racism and discrimination from his superiors and soon after hejoinshe learns that he won't be fighting on the front lines, but instead doing forestry work like he wasback in his small Nova Scotia town. The novel follows Will as he experiences the harsh realities of the war in 1916.

Shovels not Riflesis for ages 13 and up.

Gloria Wesley is a novelist and poet. Her previous YA novels includeIf This Is FreedomandChasing Freedom, which wasshortlisted for the2012 Ann Connor Brimer Award for Atlantic Canadian Children's Literature. Wesleylives in Halifax.

Songs of Irie by Asha Ashanti Bromfield

On the left a book cover shows two women, one with a red flower in the hair, as they face one another and their noses are touching. On the right a woman looks into the camera. — Songs of Irie is a historical YA novel by Asha Ashanti Bromfield. (St. Martin's Press, Kyle Kirkwood)

Songs of Irieis a historical coming-of-age YA novel set in 1976. Irie and Jilly are from two different worlds Jilly lives in the hills, safe in a mansion, while Irie is from the heart of Kingston, where fighting on the streets is a regular occurrence. Tension is building on the streets and there is civil unrest in the lead-up to animportant election.Irie and Jillybond at Irie'sdad's record store over their love ofReggae musicand must fight for their friendshipand budding romance, to survive.

Songs of Irieis for ages 13 and up.

'I write for my inner child': Asha Ashanti Bromfield tells stories to explore family, culture & coming-of-age

Asha Ashanti Bromfieldis a Toronto writer,actress, singer and producer of Afro-Jamaican descent. She is known for starringas Melody Valentine, drummer for the band Josie and the Pussycats, in the television showRiverdaleand as Zadie Wells in the Netflix showLocke and Key. She is also the author of the YA novelHurricane Summer.CBC Booksnamed Bromfield aBlack Canadian writerto watch in 2022.

LISTEN |Asha Bromfielddiscusses Songs of Irie:

The Next Chapter13:55Riverdale's Asha Ashanti Bromfield talks about her new career in writing

The Canadian actress and author talks with Ryan B. Patrick about her new novel Songs of Irie, which takes place in 1970s Jamaica.

Goddess Crown by Shade Lapite

On the left a book cover shows a woman looking into the camera. On the right a woman wearing glasses smiles. — Goddess Crown is a debut fantasy novel by Shade Lapite. (Walker Books US, Emily Ding)

Goddess Crownis a YA Afro-fantasy novel set in the kingdom of Galla.Kalothia was raised in secret in a woodland outside of the kingdom where she learned to fish and hunt and look after herself. Onher16th birthday, she is forced to flee her home after it is invaded by attackers and she ends up in the king's court, where she gets caught up in dangerous power struggles.

Goddess Crownis for ages 13 and up.

Shade Lapiteis aBritish Nigerian writerliving in Toronto. She runs a blog called Coffee Bookshelves, which celebrates and promotes writingby authors of colour.Goddess Crownis Lapite's debut novel.

The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmondby Rachel Kehoe, with Wanda Robson, illustrated by Chelsea Charles

On the left a woman looks into the camera smiling. In the middle a book cover shows an illustration of Viola Desmond, with illustrations of people holding up picket signs in the background. On the right a woman smiles into the camera. — The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond is an illustrated nonfiction book for middle-grade readers illustrated by Chelsea Charles, left, and written by Rachel Kehoe. (Mithea, Orca Book Publishers, Submitted by Rachel Kehoe)

The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmondis an illustrated nonfiction book for middle-grade readers about the life ofcivil rights activist Viola Desmond. Based on rare interviews with Desmond's sister, Wanda Robson, who spent her life championing her sister's story, this book tells Desmond's story from being arrested for taking a stand against racial segregation, to her earlier childhood in Nova Scotia, to her career as a teacher and being a pioneer in Black beauty culture in Canada.

The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmondis for ages 9 to 12.

Rachel Kehoeis a writer and photographer who has written forMuse, Faces and Science News for Students. She lives in Burlington, Ont.

Wanda Robson was a storyteller, writer and community activist. She was the youngest sisterof the late civil rights pioneer Viola Desmondandwas instrumental in bringing recognition to her sister's contribution to Canadian civil rights. She previously published the bookSister to Courage: Stories from the World of Viola Desmond.Robson died in 2022at the age of 95.

Chelsea Charles is an illustrator living inBrampton, Ont.Shereceived her BAA in illustration from Sheridan College.

LISTEN | The legacy of Viola Desmond:

Garden of Lost Socksby Esi Edugyan, illustrated by Amlie Dubois

On the left is a photo of a woman with black hair smiling at the camera, in the middle is a book cover with two kids sitting on a garden's wall looking up at the sky with white text overlaid, on the right is a photo of a woman with long brown hair and glasses smiling at the camera. — Garden of Lost Socks is a picture book by Esi Edugyan, left, and illustrated by Amlie Dubois, right. (Tamara Poppitt, HarperCollins, Michelle Dupuis)

Garden of Lost Socksis a story about friendship, curiosity and the magic of community. Akosua, who is a budding Exquirologist, and a new friend find a remarkable world hidden right in her very own community.

Garden of Lost Socksis for ages 4 to 7.

Esi Edugyan to publish first picture book,Garden of Lost Socks get a look now!

Esi Edugyan is a Victoria-based author ofHalf-Blood BluesandDreaming of Elsewhere.Her bookWashington Blackwas a finalist onCanada Reads2022,shortlisted for the Rogers Writers' Trust Fiction Prizeand theBooker Prizeandwon the 2018 Scotiabank Giller Prize.

Amlie Dubois grew up in Montreal and currently lives in Mauricie, Que. She has illustrated children's books such asRien du tout!by Marie-Hlne Jarry,Mingan les nuagesby Marie-Andre Arsenault and copineet Copineby Kim Nuns, Marie-Chantal Perron and Tammy Verge which was the French-language finalist for the 2020 Governor General's Literary Award. She has also illustrated for magazines and television.

LISTEN | Esi Edugyan speaks about her children's bookThe Garden of Lost Socks:

Q14:49Booker nominee Esi Edugyan on how her upbringing influenced her new children's book

Following the success of her award-winning novels Half-Blood Blues and Washington Black, acclaimed writer Esi Edugyan is back with her first children's book, Garden of Lost Socks. Esi tells Tom the laundry-related story that inspired her book, how it feels to write for kids after writing two research-heavy novels, and how she looks back on the childhood she had in comparison to her childrens.

The Hockey Skates by Karl Subban, illustrated by Maggie Zeng

A boy opens up a box that is glowing. A man smiles at the camera. A woman looks at the camera. — The Hockey Skates is a picture book by Karl Subban, top right, illustrated by Maggie Zeng, bottom right. (HarperCollins, Michael Guo, Marianna Lavergne)

Inspired by his NHL hockey player son PK Subban, Karl Subban shares the story of young PK waiting for his new skates inThe Hockey Skates.With each new delivery that arrives not being the right skates whether it's the wrong colour or size, PK learns to persevere and remain optimistic in this comical story.

The Hockey Skatesis for ages 4 to 7.

How hockey helped Karl Subban tap into his family's potential

Karl Subban has been a coach, teacher, principal and the father to three NHL hockey players. He is also the author ofHow We Did It: The Subban Plan for Success in Hockey, School and Life.

Maggie Zeng is a Montreal-based student at Concordia University. She is an illustrator, animator and concept artist of children's books. The first picture book she illustrated isThis is the Boat that Ben Built.

LISTEN | Karl Subban on CBC Radio's The Next Chapter:

The Next Chapter3:13Raising superstar hockey players with Karl Subban

Karl Subban has had three sons make it to the NHL and in his latest children's book The Hockey Skates, illustrated by Maggie Zeng, he talks about the importance of patience and how waiting played an essential role in his sons careers.

My Hair Is BeautifulbyShauntay Grant

Book cover for My Hair Is Beautiful is a children's book by Shauntay Grant. A young Black girl with a fancy hairstyle. — My Hair Is Beautiful is a children's book by Shauntay Grant. (Nimbus Publishing, shauntaygrant.com)

Shauntay Grant's latest children's book is a celebration of natural hair.My Hair Is Beautifulis a board book that encourages self-love and self-expression.

My Hair Is Beautifulis for readers up to3.

Why Shauntay Grant created a children's book to revisit the legacy of Africville

Grantis a Canadian writer andperformance artist based in Halifax. Her children's books includeUp Home,which wonthe 2009 Best Atlantic-Published Book Prize, andAfricville,which was a finalist for the 2018Governor General's Literary Award for young people's literature illustrated books.

The Grover School Pledge by Wanda Taylor

On the the left is a book cover of a young girl holding a bunny wearing a purple hoodie with her fist pumped up. There are two other girls in the background in front of a speaking podium. On the right is a photo of woman wearing a black and white sweater smiling at the camera. — The Grover School Pledge is a book by Wanda Taylor. (HarperCollins Canada, Wanda Taylor)

InThe Grover School Pledge, middle schooler Arlaina Jefferson challenges the injustices that she sees around her at schooland teams up with other students in her school to right a systematic wrong, showing the ability of young people to make a difference.

The Grover School Pledgeis for ages 8 to 12.

8 picture books to inspire and engage kids this summer

Wanda Taylor is an author of children and adult books, freelance journalist, screenwriter and college instructor. Her writing has appeared inpublications such as Atlantic Books Today, Black2Business magazine andPeak Magazine.

My Name is Henry Bibbby Afua Cooper

My Name is Henry Bibb is a book by Afua Cooper. (Kids Can Press, submitted by Afua Cooper)

My Name is Henry Bibbis a novel about Henry Bibb, an American slave who, after repeated attempts, escaped in 1841 to become an anti-slavery speaker, author and founder of a Black newspaper.It traces Bibb's boyhood, marriage, fatherhood and the developing awareness of his bondage and his determination to break free of it or die.

My Name is Henry Bibbis for ages 10 to 14.

10 books to read if you loved Esi Edugyan'sWashington Black

Afua Cooper is an award-winning speaker, scholar, historian, author, poet andperformer. She helps organizations improve racial and ethnic justice in the workplaceand lives in Halifax.

LISTEN | Afua Cooper talks about what it's like to be Black in Canada:

Ideas0:50Historian Afua Cooper talks about what it's like to be black in Canada today and always under surveillance.

Afua Cooper is James Robinson Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies at Dalhousie University.

The Enchanted Bridge by Zetta Elliott

Illustrated book cover of a young Black boy in a red and white t-shirt holding a ball of light. An orange and phoenix flies behind him in a dark blue sky. Smiling Black woman with a red shirt on leaning on grey stone wall. — The Enchanted Bridge is the fourth book in the middle-grade fantasy series Dragons in a Bag by Zetta Elliott. (Penguin Random House Canada, Bianca Cordova)

The Enchanted Bridgeis the fourth book in the middle-grade fantasy seriesDragons in a Bag.Ayoung Black boy named Jaxon is about to embark on another adventure filled with mythical creatures. InThe Enchanted Bridge,Jax and his friends learn about their new abilities and a secret plan. Can Jax protect the realms and all its magical creatures?

The Enchanted Bridgeis for ages 8 to 12.

Zetta Elliott writes stories that centre Black characters and confront systemic racism

Zetta Elliott is a writer, teacher and poet born in Ajax, Ont.and now based in the U.S. She is the author of the children's fantasy seriesDragons in a Bagand the longform poemA Place Inside of Me.

LISTEN |Zetta Elliott speaks with Shelagh Rogers about her children's book series:

18:26Zetta Elliott on The Witch's Apprentice

Zetta Elliott talks to Shelagh Rogers about the latest installment of her Dragons in a Bag series, The Witch's Apprentice.

Malaika, Carnival Queenby Nadia L. Hohn, illustrated by Irene Luxbacher

On the left is a photo of a woman wearing pink glasses, in the middle is a book cover that shows a girl wearing a colourful large dress with feathers on her head holding a photo of her father who is a farmer harvesting apples. There are also music notes, an apple, a pear and flowers on the cover. There is purple and black text overlay that is the book's title and author's name. On the right is a photo of a woman with brown short hair. — Malaika, Carnival Queen is a picture book by Nadia L. Hohn, left, and illustrated by Irene Luxbacher, right. (Nadia L. Hohn, Groundwood Books, Yellow Butterfly Photography)

InMalaika, Carnival Queen,Malaikavisits the farm where her father had worked as a migrant worker when he came to Canada.The farm workers tell Malaika that her father had always dreamed of celebrating carnival at the orchard, just like back home. Will Malaika agree to be their Carnival Queen for the harvest festival?

Malaika, Carnival Queenis for ages 3 to 6.

20 Canadian books for kids and young adults to check out during Black History Month

NadiaL. Hohn is a Toronto-basedaward-winning writer and educator. She is the author of numerous picture books, includingMalaika's Costume,Malaika's Winter Carnival,Malaika's SurpriseandHarriet Tubman: Freedom Fighter, illustrated by Gustavo Mazali.

Irene Luxbacheris a writer and artist from Toronto. She has illustrated numerous picture books, includingMalaika, Carnival Queen,Malaika's SurpriseandMalaika's Costumeby Nadia L. Hohn,TreasurebyMireille Messier andAunt Pearlby Monica Kulling.

LISTEN | Canadian Children's Book Centre's Carol Ann Hoyterecommends titles for young readers:

The Next Chapter12:16Delightful reads for young adults thatll carry you through to fall

Carol Ann Hoyte, from the Canadian Childrens Book Centre, recommends four titles for young readers: Brighter than the Sun by Daniel Aleman, Bliss Adair and the First Rule of Knitting by Jean Mills, The Anti-Racist Kitchen: 21 Stories edited by Nadia L. Hohn, and The House of Ash and Bone by Joel A.Sutherland.

I Am Bigby Itah Sadu, illustrated by Marley Berot

I Am Big is a picture book written by Itah Sadu, left, and illustrated by Marley Berot. (Second Story Press)

InI Am Big,a young Black hockey player finds joy in his talent and confidence in the cheers of his family, his coach, and the other players.

I Am Bigis for ages 6 to 8.

8 must-read Canadian books for children and young adults during Black History Month

Itah Saduis aToronto-based children's author. She is the co-owner of the bookstoreA Different Booklist, which specializesin African and Caribbean Canadian literature.

Marley Berotis a Toronto-basedillustrator.Her workincludes cover art forNeuron, graphic design work for the Toronto International Film Festival, logo design and book illustration.

LISTEN | Itah Sadu on CBC Radio's The Next Chapter:

The Next Chapter13:15How a love for hockey inspired Itah Sadus latest childrens book, I Am Big

The Toronto childrens book author and community organizer tells the story of a Black boys passion for hockey and the racism he faces.

Abolition is Love by Syrus Marcus Ware, illustrated by Alannah Fricker

Black and white image of a Black person with long dark locs. Illustrated book cover with turquoise background of a group of people, a young black person in an orange shirt holding a candle is at the front. — Abolition is Love is a picture book by Syrus Marcus Ware, pictured, and illustrated by Alannah Fricker. (Jalani Morgan, Penguin Random House Canada)

Abolition is Lovefollows a young person called Amelie as they learn about care, justice and love in the everyday. This picture book engages in conversations for young people about how to imagine different futures for themselves and their communities.

Abolition is Loveis for ages 3 to 7.

5 books that 21 Black Futures playwright and poet Syrus Marcus Ware loved reading

Syrus Marcus Ware is a Toronto-based artist, writer and activist. He is also a founding member of Black Lives Matter Toronto and a contributor to the anthology series presented byCBC Arts21 Black Futures. His other books includeI PromiseandLove is in the Hair.

Alannah Fricker is an artist, community organizer and registered social worker.Abolition is Loveis the first children's book that she has illustrated.

WATCH | Syrus Marcus Ware reflectson connections between Blackness and queerness:

Syrus Marcus Ware on the importance of centring Black voices in queer activism

3 years ago

2:30

We need to make sure that were building a world that imagines a broader subject than just a white queer subject.

Julie and the Mango Treeby Sad Smith, illustrated by Sayada Ramdial

Black woman with long black straight hair looking at camera. Illustrated book cover of a small Black girl biting into a mango. — Julie and the Mango Tree is a picture book written by Sad Smith, pictured, and illustrated by Sayada Ramdial. (Sad Smith, Macmillan)

Julie's favourite fruit are mangoes but she can never seem to pick a sweet one from the tree in her yard. InJulie and the Mango Tree, Julie pleads with her mango tree on a summer afternoon in this vibrantly illustrated picture book. CBC Books namedJulie and the Mango Treeas one of the best books of 2023.

Julie and the Mango Treeis for ages 3 to 6.

8 amazing books for young readers fromThe Next Chapterchildren's book panel

Sad Smith is a Canadian's children's author of Jamaican descent. Her previous book,Granny's Kitchen,was nominated for the 2023 Blue Spruce Award.

Sayada Ramdial is an illustrator from Trinidad andTobagothatis currently based in the U.S.

LISTEN | The Next Chapter's Children's Book Panel recommends great books for kids:

The Next Chapter19:26This years must-read books for the kids and teens in your life

Kids book experts Bee Quammie and Bridget Raymundo share some of their favourite kids and teen book recommendations just in time for the holidays.

This list was curated by Ryan B. Patrick

For more stories about the experiences of Black Canadians from anti-Black racism to success stories within the Black community check out Being Black in Canada, a CBC project Black Canadians can be proud of.You can read more stories here.

Five fists raised, different shades of brown skin, next to text that says Being Black in Canada surrounded by an orange and red border. — (CBC)

Clarifications

This list previously included Black Girl, Black Girlby Angela Bowden, illustrated by Letitia Fraser. This title will now be released in February 2025.
Feb 08, 2024 12:56 PM ET

18 Canadian books for children and young adults to read during Black History Month 2024

Clarifications

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