Books for KS2/3/4 black students

[HoollyWugger]

I'm trying to redress the balance of books in our school library away from being so "white/middle class" and wondered if anyone has recommendations of books with black protagonists and positive role models that students can identify with?

Thank you

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/black_mumsnetters/4236739-childrens-books

This thread may be useful

There was also another thread on hear a shirt while ago which featured older children’s books- I know because I commented! I can’t find it though-I’ll see if I can as it was interesting.

*here not hear - damn auto correct!

The publishing company Knights Of specialise in this and have a wonderful list.

Thanks all! I did manage to find a few "edgy" ones for our Ks4 students. I've left the list at work, but I'll add them on here tomorrow for anyone who's interested.

It's a fine line between not just handing out books with stereotypical storylines, and characters/storylines that they can identify with.

For younger children, the Newbery Medal shortlists has a good range of books. I think they are mostly American (so don't have the same social issues as the UK) but they are generally well written, good books.

@HoollyWugger, you may already have these on your list for KS4:

Anything by Nicola Yoon (a Jamaican American author)
Orange Boy by Patrice Lawrence (I found it a bit full on)
Rose Interrupted by Patrice Lawrence
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds ( I think the copy I had was dyslexic friendly)
The Bone Readers by Jacob Ross (is an adult book, but the main character is about 20 years old)

Fab - thank you! Angie Thomas is on my list, and, from memory, an author called Nic Stone.

I've got another couple of titles from the firetree books website too.

KS2:

The Boy at the Back of the Class
The Girl who stole an Elephant
The High Rise Mystery
Hacker
Pig Heart Boy
Little Badman Series
Holes

I remember discovering the books by Nigerian writer Buchi Emecheta when I was a teenager - she has also done children’s books.

The Infinite by Patience Agbabi is brilliant - Upper KS2 or lower KS3. There's a sequel either coming out soon or just out, too.

I hope you don't mind me posting on here. I love reading and try and introduce myself and my children to as many different authors as possible.

9-11 year olds
Look Both Ways - Jason Reynolds
Granny Ting Ting - Patrice Lawrence
High Rise Mystery Series - Sharna Jackson
The Infinite - Patrice Agbabi

YA
Children of Blood and Bone Series - Tomi Adeyemi
Love is a Revolution - Renee Watson
Rebound, Crossover and Booked - Kwame Alexander
Rox, Interuppted - Patrice Lawrence
The Colours that Blind - Rutendo Tavengerwei
The Dark Lady - Akala
Witches Steeped in Gold - Ciannon Smart
The Gilded Ones - Namina Forna
And the Stars Were Burning Brightly - Danielle Jawando
Clap When You Land - Elizabeth Acevedo

My daughter is in year 9 and they are currently reading Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe.

There is also a great teacher on Twitter, Mr Egembah (@AEgembah) who has been providing sets of books to secondary schools in our borough. His next steps are to branch out into other boroughs.

@Lotsofsocks good choices!

Place marking!