The NorthParan.com Book BuzzList: Great Books For Black Boys

 

When I started MyBrownBaby, I vowed that this website would do its part to help introduce parents to great books for black children, featuring kids that look like ours. I truly believe that if we help our beautiful babies fall in love with good literature early, they'll love it long time. Thing is, finding black children’s books sometimes can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack. My rants about this are legendary, and I still make a point of fussing with anyone who will listen when I step into a bookstore and children’s books for, about and written by African Americans and other people of color aren’t available AND visible.

But one site is working tirelessly to fill the void left by the book store giants. NorthParan.com is, for sure, the largest, most comprehensive online bookstore for black books anywhere on the internet, and it specializes in introducing us to quality books particularly for children. This week, they’ve gathered up an impressive list of great books for black boys. Check them out and buy a few for your child’s home library and for anyone else who appreciates good, quality books with great stories about our kids.

1. Long Shot: Never Too Small to Dream Big by Chris Paul

Chris Paul, star guard for the New Orleans Hornets, recalls how through hard work and sheer grit, he overcame being one of the shortest kids in school (The ball is bigger than you, teases his big brother) to win a coveted place on the basketball team. (age range: 4-8)

2. Barack Obama: Son of Promise, Child of Hope by Nikki Grimes

Ever since Barack Obama was young, Hope has lived inside him. Even as a boy, Barack knew he wasn’t quite like anybody else, but through his journeys he found the ability to listen to Hope and become what he was meant to be: a bridge to bring people together. This is the moving story of an exceptional man, as told by Nikki Grimes and illustrated by Bryan Collier, both winners of the Coretta Scott King Award. (age range: 5-10)

 

3. Red Zone by Tiki and Ronde Barber

Finally the playoffs are in sight and everyone is playing at the top of their game. But what are these red spots that seem to be going around? Chicken pox? It can’t be! (age range: 8-12)

 

4. We Could Be Brothers by Derrick Barnes

Two thirteen- year-old African-American boys become friends during a three-day stint in after school suspension. We Could Brothers addresses the presence and lack of positive male leadership in the home, and how it dictates the way young African American men view themselves, each other, and the world around them. (age range: 9-12)

 

5. Miami Jackson Gets It Straight by Patricia McCissack

Miami Jackson can't wait for school to end. But who ever thought five days could be so long? His teacher is leaving for Ghana, his archenemy, Destinee Tate, is on his case, and now Miami's keeping secrets from his best friend, String. Summer can't come soon enough! (age range: 9-12)

 

6. Joseph by Sheila P. Moses

For Joseph Flood, life is tough. Tough because of Mama’s addiction to drugs and alcohol. Tough because Daddy is away with the army fighting in Iraq. Tough because it looks like there’s no way out once you’re living in a homeless shelter in a North Carolina ghetto neighborhood. Joseph is a powerful and moving story from the author of National Book Award finalist The Legend of Buddy Bush that looks at what it really takes for a boy to begin to become a man. (age range: 11-14)

The North Paran Book Buzzlist is a weekly feature produced by NorthParan.com that gives readers an entertaining digest of the most fascinating books that are being talked about by the black community today.

Remember: For every book you purchase at NorthParan.com, a new book will be given to a child in need!