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Original poster

Books with Black characters for DD12

61 replies

Queenie04 · 07/01/2017 18:26

Hello really running out out of ideas for books with Black characters. My daughter is an avid reader reads anything. But representation matters to her and she lights up when there is a book with Black characters. Any ideas will be much appreciated Smile

OP posts:
dovesong · 11/01/2017 01:21

Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon maybe? The main character is mixed race - half black, half Asian. It's a YA romance.

Parkourbench · 11/01/2017 01:17

That should read within the Hamptons not of.

Parkourbench · 11/01/2017 01:11

I will recommend Sag Harbour - Colson Whitehead. It's adult fiction but not heavy. A coming of age type novel set in the wealthy middle class black American community of the Hamptons. He's a great writer and I found the subject fascinating. You hear so much about celebrity and this exclusive area and this is a totally different perspective.

squoosh · 11/01/2017 01:11

Oh and The Unstoppable Octobia May

squoosh · 11/01/2017 01:02

The Threads series by Sophia Bennett

Original poster
Queenie04 · 11/01/2017 00:32

Also she has ready several books about slavery looking for uplifting books at this point

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Original poster
Queenie04 · 11/01/2017 00:32

There is no way I would give my daughter the colour purple, at this age. The content is too heavy

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SallyInSweden · 09/01/2017 19:04

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Fluckle · 09/01/2017 18:59

The Rivers Of London series by Ben Aaronovitch. They're a magic/detective/crime series and I don't think they'd be too much for a 12 year old but you may want a quick scoot through beforehand just to double check.

papaver · 09/01/2017 18:55

Not for now as 12 would be too young but one to add to the list for when she is older is Buffalo Soldier by Tanya Landman.

Original poster
Queenie04 · 08/01/2017 12:41

I loove Roll of thunder hear my cry it was a childhood fav Grin , she loved it too. If any other suggestions pop into you minds please just add. I'm sure other parents will appreciate this thread. Thanks guys

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Roseformeplease · 08/01/2017 12:29

Dorothy Koomson books are fab.

andpropersteel · 08/01/2017 12:24

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry by Mildred D. Taylor

The Other Side of Truth by Beverly Naidoo

I read these as part of my dissertation in children's literature and both are great.

TheSecondOfHerName · 08/01/2017 12:19

When she is a little older, I'd recommend The Fifth Season (N K Jemisin) which is the first of a trilogy.

TheSecondOfHerName · 08/01/2017 12:15

The Skin I'm In (Sharon G Flake). DD (12) read this last year and thought it was good.

Sadik · 08/01/2017 12:13

Has she read Lies We Tell Ourselves by Robin Talley? It's a YA novel set in Virginia during the fight to desegregate the school system.

Original poster
Queenie04 · 07/01/2017 22:00

Hi, yes she has read when the caged bird sings and a few others. I would say her reading age is about 14 however it doesn't match her level of maturity. Thank you all for the suggestion, will have a thorough look at all the sources Grin.

OP posts:
OrlandaFuriosa · 07/01/2017 20:01

What's her reading age? If older than 12, start giving her eg classic adult books written by people of other nations. No time like the present to start her on writers like Chinua Achebe, Maya Angelou, though yes, check content.

RandomDent · 07/01/2017 19:49

I know, I said Mouse was.

herewecomeawassailing · 07/01/2017 19:48

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Original poster
Queenie04 · 07/01/2017 19:32

Nicecuppandasitdown thank you for all the suggestions

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Original poster
Queenie04 · 07/01/2017 19:31

Thanks for suggestion Randondent but Ruby Redford is definitely not a character of colour

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RandomDent · 07/01/2017 19:06

Ruby Redfort is very light hearted and no content issues. Ruby is a teenager recruited by a government spy agency.

Original poster
Queenie04 · 07/01/2017 18:52

Might girl is really good. However need light hearted books too

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Original poster
Queenie04 · 07/01/2017 18:52

I a lot of these I hadn't heard off, I have to be careful regarding content just to make sure its ok for her

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