Dear community,
I know that these are tough times. I sat down to write a poignant statement, but all my words fall short, and my voice is not the voice that needs to be in the center anyway. So all I’m going say here is, to our Black clients, friends, and loved ones: Indigo stands with you in this fight for justice and systemic reform.
I’d like to elevate these voices of Black authors who are working to spread awareness and bring progress:
Books for Adults
Naked: The Rhythm and Groove of It. The Depth and Length to It.
Poetry
“Exploring topics of family, faith, race, sexuality, abuse, love, and identity, Minto’s words dig up rootbound emotions in need of better soil….”
The Hate U Give
Novel
“Sixteen-year-old Starr Carter moves between two worlds: the poor neighborhood where she lives and the fancy suburban prep school she attends….”
How to Be an Antiracist
Nonfiction
“Antiracism is a transformative concept that reorients and reenergizes the conversation about racism—and, even more fundamentally, points us toward liberating new ways of thinking about ourselves and each other….”
So You Want to Talk about Race
Nonfiction
“Widespread reporting on aspects of white supremacy—from police brutality to the mass incarceration of Black Americans—has put a media spotlight on racism in our society. Still, it is a difficult subject to talk about….”
Me and White Supremacy: Combat Racism, Change the World, and Become a Good Ancestor
“Based on the viral Instagram challenge that captivated participants worldwide, Me and White Supremacy takes readers on a 28-day journey of how to dismantle the privilege within themselves so that they can stop (often unconsciously) inflicting damage on people of color, and in turn, help other white people do better, too….”
The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Quotes/Speeches
“Created as a living memorial to the philosophies and ideas of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this essential volume includes more than 120 quotations from the greatest civil rights leader’s speeches, sermons, and writings….”
Books for Kids
Let’s Talk about Race
Julius Lester (Author) Karen Barbour (Illustrator)
“In this acclaimed book, the author of the Newbery Honor Book To Be a Slave shares his own story as he explores what makes each of us special. A strong choice for sharing at home or in the classroom.”
A Good Kind of Trouble
Middle Grade Novel
“From debut author Lisa Moore Ramée comes this funny and big-hearted debut middle grade novel about friendship, family, and standing up for what’s right….”
All American Boys
Jason Reynolds (Author) Brendan Kiely (Author)
Young Adult Novel
“In this New York Times bestselling novel, two teens—one black, one white—grapple with the repercussions of a single violent act that leaves their school, their community, and, ultimately, the country bitterly divided by racial tension….”
Ghost Boys
Young Adult Novel
“Twelve-year-old Jerome is shot by a police officer who mistakes his toy gun for a real threat. As a ghost, he observes the devastation that’s been unleashed on his family and community in the wake of what they see as an unjust and brutal killing….”
I encourage you to also follow #blackliterature on Instagram, which recently shared this recommended reading list of related books published by small presses:
I hope you’ll join me in reading or rereading these authors and others so we can all be better informed, more mindful, more compassionate, more just.
What books would you add to the list? Drop a comment below or on our social media.
Thanks for being here. Stay safe. Keep fighting the good fight. Keep writing.
—Ali Shaw
Founder & Executive Editor
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