I asked a few of the African-American members of #TeamFuse to talk about books they love by African-American authors for Black History Month. Last year, I did a long series on our tumblr about history books, but I decided this year it’s important that me (a tiny white lady) not be in charge of our Black History initiative.
Our assistant agent, Tricia Skinner, had some lovely things to say about Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry, the classic children’s book which is celebrating an anniversary this year.
She said,
I grew up identifying as “Jamerican,” a kid whose family was Jamaican, more than “African American” because in our house, we did “Caribbean” things or ate foods no Americans in our neighborhood did. Anyway, that book shook me up because it showed me racial injustice (from a child’s POV). I still remember questioning my Mom, asking why white people hated black people, etc. It was a profound book for me.
She also recommended authors Piper Huguley, Synithia Williams, Naima Simone, Milly Taiden, Ambrielle Kirk, and Angeline M. Bishop in the Romance genre. I’m sure she’d love to find some projects like those, if you have them, aspiring authors!
Client Kellye Garrett, who writes in the mystery genre, gave us a few more suggestions:
In terms of authors I love, I love Valerie Wilson Wesley, who wrote the Tamara Hayle series. I wrote about her in a blog post a few months ago. I also love Barbara Neely, who wrote the Blanche White series, which won an Agatha and a couple other prestigious awards when it came out in the early 90s. (Washington Post article about her).
My client, Camryn Garrett (no relation), suggested some YA for our readers.
[I] like books with black leads/written by black authors? Pointe by Brandy Colbert, All American Boys by Jason Reynolds, Monster by Walter Dean Myers, Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon, and Untwine by Edwidge Danticat. That’s five!
