After Edi read my SLJ article, she suggested I compile a list of African American speculative fiction books for children. As usual, I enlisted the help of others, and below is the list Edi, Doret, Ari, and I compiled. If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment. I did not include speculative fiction titles that might appeal to teens—just those specifically published for young readers (MG/YA).
Speculative Fiction by US-based Authors of African Descent
1. Justice and Her Brothers by Virginia Hamilton (1978)
2. Dustland by Virginia Hamilton (1980)
3. The Gathering by Virginia Hamilton (1981)
4. Sweet Whispers, Brother Rush by Virginia Hamilton (1982)
5. The Magical Adventures of Pretty Pearl by Virginia Hamilton (1983)
6. Shadow of the Red Moon by Walter Dean Myers (1995)
7. The Golden Hour by Maiya Williams (2004)
8. 47 by Walter Mosley (2005)
9. Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor (2005)
10. The Hour of the Cobra by Maiya Williams (2006)
11. The Hour of the Outlaw by Maiya Williams (2007)
12. The Marvelous Effect by Troy CLE (2007)
13. The Shadow Speaker by Nnedi Okorafor (2007)
14. Racing the Dark by Dawn Alaya Johnson (2007)
15. A Wish After Midnight by Zetta Elliott (2008)
16. Night Biters: A Tale of Urban Horror by AJ Harper (2008)
17. M+O 4EVR by Tonya Cherie Hegamin (2008)
18. Pemba’s Song: A Ghost Story by Marilyn Nelson and Tonya C. Hegamin (2009)
19. The Ancient Lands Warriors Quest by Jason McCammon (2009)
20. Asleep by Wendy Raven McNair (2009)
21. Dope Sick by Walter Dean Myers (2009)
22. Explorer-X Alpha by LM Preston (2009)
23. The Goblin King by Dawn Alaya Johnson (2009)
24. Olivion’s Favorites by Troy CLE (2009)
25. Were Wolves: the Mix Tape by AJ Harper (2009)
26. Awake by Wendy Raven McNair (2010)
27. The Clone Codes by Patricia McKissack et al. (2010)
28. Bleeding Violet by Dia Reeves (2010)
29. Manifest by Artist Arthur (2010)
30. Ninth Ward by Jewell Parker Rhodes (2010)
31. Shadow Walker by LA Banks (2010)
32. Slice of Cherry by Dia Reeves (2011)
33. Cyborg by Patricia McKissack et al. (2011)
34. Akata Witch by Nnedi Okorafor (2011)
35. Mystify by Artist Arthur (2011)
I wonder what happened in the 1990s?
Right? There’s a 20-year gap, though your boy (the Dean) had one title in the ’90s (Shadow of the Red Moon).
Thanks for the list! I’m so excited for Akata Witch! Sounds fabulous!
It’s really interesting–Doret should have a review soon…
I’ve only a few chapters into Akata Witch but I am really enjoying it so far.
[...] Award-winning author Kekla Magoon–The Rock and the River, being only one of them. The list of African American speculative fiction for kids she compiled with Edi, Doret and Ari being another. And more. Head over, you’d be glad you [...]
Hi Zetta,
Thanks for the list! I’m keeping track of my reviews of multicultural sci fi/fantasy over at my place, and I’m always looking to expand my reading list, so I am very glad to have more books for it!
Hi, Charlotte–your list is *great*! I decided to focus only on black US authors so I can track just what the publishing industry here is putting out…about four of the titles on this list are or were originally self-published. I’ve only read a fraction of these titles, so will be sure to look for your reviews!
I’m pretty sure Dia Reeves’ books are YA, probably because of the violence. (They’re listed as YA on Amazon and are shelved with YA at B&N.)
Wonderful list, though! Thanks!
Hi, Kate–I think most of the books on this list are YA; I’m afraid I didn’t distinguish between MG and YA, and probably should have titled the list “for young readers” so no one’s confused. I didn’t even consider picture books.
Yay! I finally found a list of books that are both spec fic and about POC! I have, no joke, been looking for months. *happy dance*
Hey, Sylvia–so glad you found it! Charlotte has a great list, too, that’s not limited to African Americans:
http://charlotteslibrary.blogspot.com/p/reviews-of-multicultural-fantasy-and.html
Ooo, thank you double!
[...] amazing compilations of stats on the publishing industry (a sobering read), or unique book lists (African American speculative fiction for kids, [...]
[...] African-American Speculative Fiction for Kids [...]
[...] African American Speculative Fiction for Kids [...]
M + O 4ever might qualify for this list.
Thanks Evelyn–dunno why I added Pemba’s Song and left that one out…