Reading

Someday, Maybe

By Onyi Nwabineli

ISBN: 9780861546473

Eve is left heartbroken by her husband's unexpected death, but everyone around her - her friends, her boisterous British Nigerian family, her toxic mother-in-law - seems to be pushing her to move on. Unable to face the future, Eve begins looking back, delving through the history of her marriage to understand where it went wrong. So begins an unconventional love story about loss, resilience, and a heroine bursting with rage and unexpected joy.

Girl, Woman, Other

By Bernardine Evaristo

ISBN: 9780241984994

Girl, Woman, Other is an extraordinary novel that explores the interconnected lives of twelve characters, primarily women of African or Caribbean descent, over several decades.

The novel spans a century of life in Britain, from rural Northumberland to bustling London, capturing the diverse experiences of Black British women. Evaristo delves into their struggles, achievements, and relationships, offering a nuanced exploration of identity and belonging.

Queenie

By Candice Carty-Williams

ISBN: 9781409180050

Queenie follows the life of Queenie Jenkins, a young Jamaican British woman living in London, as she navigates her career, friendships, and relationships. This darkly comic and unflinchingly raw debut novel delves into issues of mental health, race, and identity, providing a poignant and relatable narrative that resonates with many readers. Carty-Williams portrays Queenie’s struggles with authenticity and sensitivity, addressing the pressures of societal expectations and personal demons.

The Confessions of Frannie Langton

By Sara Collins

ISBN: 9780241349199

A gripping historical novel, “The Confessions of Frannie Langton” follows Frannie Langton, a former slave accused of murdering her employers in 1826 London. Through Frannie’s confessions, Collins explores themes of race, class, and the pursuit of freedom. The novel’s richly detailed narrative and masterful storytelling provide a compelling exploration.

Love in Colour

By Bolu Babalola

ISBN: 9781472268884

In this enchanting collection, Bolu Babalola reimagines love stories from history and mythology, infusing them with contemporary Black voices. Each tale is a celebration of love in its many forms, showcasing Babalola’s talent for storytelling and her ability to weave magic into the everyday. The stories span various cultures and time periods, offering fresh perspectives on timeless themes. Babalola’s prose is both lyrical and accessible, making each story a delight to read. “Love in Colour” is a testament to the enduring power of love and the richness of diverse cultural narratives.

Small Island

By Andrea Levy

ISBN: 9780755307500

Set in the aftermath of World War II, “Small Island” intertwines the lives of two couples: Hortense and Gilbert, who have recently emigrated from Jamaica, and Queenie and Bernard, their English landlords. Andrea Levy’s powerful narrative address’s themes of migration, racism, and the search for belonging. Through her richly developed characters and evocative prose, Levy provides a vital perspective on post-war Britain, highlighting the contributions and experiences of the Windrush generation.

Brit(ish)

By Afua Hirsch

ISBN: 9781784705039

You're British. Your parents are British. You were raised in Britain. Your partner, your children and most of your friends are British. So why do people keep asking you where you are from? 'Brit(ish)' is about a search for identity. It is about the everyday racism that plagues British society. It is about our awkward, troubled relationship with our history. It is about why liberal attempts to be 'colour-blind' have caused more problems than they have solved. It is about why we continue to avoid talking about race. Afua Hirsch explores a very British crisis of identity. We are a nation in denial about our past and our present.

Why I’m no Longer Talking to White People About Race

By Reni Eddo-Lodge

ISBN: 9781408870556

In February 2014, Reni Eddo-Lodge wrote about her frustration with the way discussions of race and racism in Britain were constantly being led by those who weren't affected by it. She posted the piece on her blog, and gave it the title: 'Why I'm No Longer Talking to White People about Race'. Her powerful, passionate words hit a nerve. The post went viral, and comments flooded in from others desperate to speak up about their own, similar experiences. Galvanised by this response, she decided to dig into the source of these feelings; this clear hunger for an open discussion. The result is a searing, illuminating, absolutely necessary exploration of what it is to be a person of colour in Britain today.

African and Caribbean People in Britain

By Hakim Adi

ISBN: 9781802060683

Despite the best efforts of researchers and campaigners, there remains today a steadfast tendency to reduce the history of African and Caribbean people in Britain to a simple story: it is one that begins in 1948 with the arrival of a single ship, the Empire Windrush, and continues mostly apart from a distinct British history, overlapping only on occasion amid grotesque injustice or pioneering protest. Yet, as acclaimed historian Hakim Adi demonstrates, from the very beginning, from the moment humans first stood on this rainy isle, there have been African and Caribbean men and women set at Britain's heart.

Dis Poetry

By Benjamin Zephaniah

ISBN: 9781780377414

Benjamin Zephaniah (1958-2023) was a writer and performer of extraordinary range - an oral poet, novelist, playwright, children's writer, reggae artist, actor, television personality and political activist. Born and raised in Birmingham, he was sent to an approved school for being uncontrollable, rebellious and 'a born failure', ending up in jail for burglary and affray. After prison he turned from crime to music and poetry. He was later nominated for Oxford Professor of Poetry and voted Britain's third favourite poet of all time (after T.S. Eliot and John Donne) in a BBC poll.

Stuntboy

By Jason Reynolds

ISBN: 9781913311582

Portico Reeves is the greatest superhero a lot of people have never heard of. He likes it that way - then no one can get in the way of him from keeping other people safe. Super safe. He's Stuntboy. He's got the moves. And the saves. Except. There's been one major fail. When Portico, his new friend Herbert, and his best friend Zola, discover an empty apartment, unlocked, they are psyched. It's a perfect hideout, and it's all theirs. So, they decide to make it their own - with stunts of the drawing kind. Problem is that gives some grown-ups the frets, which leads to double frets for Portico. And he's not sure his arsenal of stunts can combat that.

Black Star

By Kwame Alexander

ISBN: 9781839135675

Twelve-year old Charley is set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional baseball, even if that's a lofty dream for a Black girl in the American South in the 1920s. Even so, her grandfather Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so much more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things, like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge, and why she can never play on the brand-new baseball field on the other side of town.

Man-Man and the Tree of Memories

By Yaba Badoe

ISBN: 9781035912605

Set in contemporary Notting Hill, Man-man and his friends are swept up in the exuberant preparations for carnival. But his mother is ill and even as he dances, he calls desperately to the Queen of Revels, as old as time to make her well again. Swept away with his best friend Kareem and sharp-tongued sister Panama, to a place in between, the Queen of Revels plunges Man-man into Africa's past and reveals his family's heritage. As they gather around the sacred Tree of Memories, he witnesses many slaves, captives whose pain and anguish and longing is held by the tree. Man-man understands how this is draining his mother and how he must help her back to the freedom stolen from his ancestors.

Brilliant Black British History

By Atinuke

ISBN: 9781526635716

Did you know that the first people who settled on the grey-green islands of Great Britain were Black? How about that some of the Roman soldiers who invaded and even ruled Britain were Black, too? After that there were Black Tudors, Georgians and Victorians.

In this easy-to-read, chronological journey through our shared history, Atinuke brings her experience as an oral storyteller to carry readers through the fascinating history of Black people in Britain. The incredible journey through time is brought to life through illustrated scenes, detailed maps, and timelines created by illustrator Kingsley Nebechi.

Amazing Women in Black History

By Sandra Agard

ISBN: 9781398324206

Black history is not just history - it is the history of people left out of the history books. But this book is different! In this book, we're going to meet 15 amazing Black women. Some were pioneers of the past - and some are doing incredible things today! Learn about Mary Prince, the first Black woman to publish her life story; Sister Rosetta Tharpe, the Godmother of rock and roll; Wangari Maathai, the environmental warrior; and Dina Asher-Smith, the fastest British woman in history!

Dreams From my Father

By Barack Obama

ISBN: 9781406334470

The son of a Black African father and a white American mother, Barack Obama recounts an emotional odyssey, retracing the migration of his mother's family from Kansas to Hawai'i, then to his childhood home in Indonesia. Finally, he travels to Kenya, where he confronts the bitter truth of his father's life and at last reconciles his divided inheritance. Written nearly fifteen years before becoming president, Dreams from My Father is an unforgettable read. It illuminates not only Obama's journey, but also our universal desire to understand our history and what makes us who we are.

The Story of Britain’s Black Airmen

By K. N. Chimbiri

ISBN: 9780702307423

The inspiring story of the brave but forgotten Black pilots who helped win the Second World War.

Bedtime Stories

By Candice Brathwaite

ISBN: 9780702307935

Written and illustrated by Black creators, 'Bedtime Stories' showcases a curated collection of tales from Black history, based on important figures and events from around the world. Each story is the ideal length to read at bedtime as well as any moment when young readers are looking for an inspirational read!

Nini at Carnival

Author: Errol Lloyd

ISBN: 9780500653791

Every year on Carnival Day, the streets fill with a whirl of colour and sound, as people put on their wildest costumes and pick up their musical instruments to celebrate with a grand parade. When the big day arrives, everyone is excited! Everyone except for Nini. She doesn't have a costume, and so she doesn't want to join in the fun. She sits and cries until a familiar-looking fairy godmother arrives with a solution - a beautiful piece of colourful cloth that will let Nini join the celebration and become Queen of the Carnival.

Me and my Hair

By Kimberley Kinloch

ISBN: 9781805312703

A heart-warming journey of learning to love the hair you have, and the person you are. Follow Kyra as she shares her thoughts and feelings about her amazing Afro hair, and the facts she learns about all kinds of hair types and styles.