Book Recommendations this Black History month

At Equal Education, we believe Black history should never be confined to just one month. Stories by Black authors should be celebrated, explored, and shared throughout the year; in our classrooms, our homes, and our communities. We’ve pulled together a growing list of books that we recommend for tutors, students, and anyone who loves reading. This collection spans powerful fiction, inspiring memoirs, poetry, and thought-provoking non-fiction.

We’ll continue updating this list regularly, so it can serve as a go-to resource for both learning and enjoyment.

Children & Young Readers (Ages 5–12)

Windrush Child – Benjamin Zephaniah
A moving story of a Jamaican boy arriving in Britain as part of the Windrush generation. It explores themes of identity, belonging, and resilience.
(Fiction, TW: migration, racism, identity; Themes: belonging, resilience)

Noughts and Crosses series – Malorie Blackman
A powerful reimagining of society where racial power dynamics are reversed. The series is gripping, emotional, and sparks important conversations about racism and justice.
(Fiction, TW: racism, violence, discrimination; Themes: love, justice, social inequality)

Marcus Rashford: You Are a Champion – Marcus Rashford
An inspiring book sharing Marcus Rashford’s journey, encouraging young readers to follow their dreams and make a positive impact.
(Non-Fiction; Themes: motivation, activism, resilience)

Marcus Rashford: Feeding Britain – Marcus Rashford
A motivational book highlighting Marcus’s campaign against child food poverty, teaching kids about activism and social responsibility.
(Non-Fiction, TW: poverty; Themes: activism, social responsibility)

Marcus Rashford: You Are a Footballer! – Marcus Rashford
A football-themed story featuring fun adventures and challenges, perfect for young sports fans and reluctant readers.
(Fiction; Themes: sports, teamwork, perseverance)

Brilliant Black British History – Atinuke
A vibrant, illustrated guide introducing young readers to the contributions and stories of Black Britons throughout history.
(Non-Fiction; Themes: history, identity, empowerment)

Coming to England – Floella Benjamin
An autobiographical picture book recounting the author's journey from Trinidad to the UK as part of the Windrush generation, highlighting themes of migration and identity.
(Non-Fiction, TW: migration, culture shock; Themes: migration, identity, resilience)

The Story of Afro Hair – K.N. Chimbiri
An informative and engaging book that traces the history and significance of Afro-textured hair, celebrating cultural identity and self-expression.
(Non-Fiction; Themes: cultural identity, self-expression)

Astro Girl – Ken Wilson-Max
A story about a young girl aspiring to be an astronaut, breaking stereotypes and inspiring girls to pursue their dreams in science and space.
(Fiction; Themes: STEM, ambition, breaking stereotypes)

Amber Undercover – Em Norry
A thrilling adventure where a young girl becomes an undercover agent, combining excitement with themes of bravery and friendship.
(Fiction; Themes: adventure, bravery, friendship)

Young Adult (Ages 12–18)

My Name is Leon – Kit de Waal
A touching story of a young mixed-race boy navigating the care system in 1980s Britain. It’s both heart-wrenching and hopeful.
(Fiction, TW: loss, racism, foster care; Themes: identity, resilience, family)

Honey & Spice – Bolu Babalola
A sharp, witty campus romance about love, friendship, and finding your voice as a young Black woman.
(Fiction; Themes: romance, friendship, self-discovery)

Poor – Caleb Femi
A striking poetry collection that paints life on London’s estates with beauty, honesty, and vulnerability.
(Fiction/Poetry, TW: urban hardship; Themes: London life, identity, resilience)

Homegoing – Yaa Gyasi
Spanning centuries, this novel traces the lives of two half-sisters in Ghana and their descendants in America. It’s a powerful story about slavery, heritage, and identity.
(Fiction, TW: slavery, violence; Themes: heritage, identity, family legacy)

Transcendent Kingdom – Yaa Gyasi
A novel about science, faith, and addiction, told through the eyes of a Ghanaian-American neuroscientist. It asks big questions about family and resilience.
(Fiction, TW: addiction, grief, religion; Themes: science, faith, family)

The Vanishing Half – Brit Bennett
A story of twin sisters who choose very different lives, one passing as white while the other remains in their Black community.
(Fiction, TW: racism, colorism; Themes: identity, family, race)

My Sister the Serial Killer – Oyinkan Braithwaite
A darkly funny thriller about two sisters in Lagos, one of whom has an inconvenient habit of killing her boyfriends.
(Fiction, TW: murder, dark humour; Themes: family, morality, identity)

The Black Flamingo – Dean Atta
A coming-of-age novel-in-verse about a mixed-race gay teen finding his identity through drag performance.
(Fiction, TW: bullying, sexuality; Themes: identity, self-expression, coming-of-age)

Punching the Air – Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam
A powerful story told in verse about a young artist wrongfully incarcerated.
(Fiction, TW: incarceration, racism, violence; Themes: justice, resilience, art)

Legendborn – Tracy Deonn
A modern-day fantasy that blends Arthurian legend with Black history, as a teen discovers her magical heritage and battles dark forces.
(Fiction, TW: grief, trauma; Themes: fantasy, heritage, empowerment)

Cinderella is Dead - Kalynn Bayron

A queer fantasy re-telling of Cinderella where a young, rebellious Black girl teams up with the last descendant of Cinderella's family to expose the fairy tale's dark secrets and dismantle the patriarchy.

(Fiction, TW: misogyny, homophobia, grief; Themes: fantasy, resistance, empowerment)

Adults (Ages 18+)

Open Water – Caleb Azumah Nelson
A lyrical love story set in South London about intimacy, vulnerability, and what it means to be a young Black man today.
(Fiction; Themes: love, intimacy, Black identity)

Love in Colour – Bolu Babalola
A collection of reimagined love stories from around the world, celebrating joy, romance, and empowerment.
(Fiction; Themes: love, empowerment, joy)

Queenie – Candice Carty-Williams
A sharp, funny, and moving novel about a young Black woman navigating love, career, and identity in London.
(Fiction, TW: mental health, racism; Themes: love, identity, career)

Girl, Woman, Other – Bernardine Evaristo
Winner of the Booker Prize, this novel follows twelve interconnected characters, mostly Black British women, exploring identity, love, and belonging.
(Fiction; Themes: identity, community, womanhood)

Brit(ish) – Afua Hirsch
A memoir and cultural critique about growing up Black in Britain.
(Non-Fiction, TW: racism; Themes: identity, British society)

Zami: A New Spelling of My Name – Audre Lorde
A “biomythography” blending autobiography, myth, and history, chronicling Lorde’s coming of age and self-discovery.
(Non-Fiction/Biomythography; Themes: identity, self-discovery, empowerment)

Revolutionary Acts: Love & Brotherhood in Black Gay Britain – Jason Okundaye
A powerful history of Black gay men in Britain, exploring community, resilience, and joy in the face of oppression.
(Non-Fiction; Themes: community, resilience, LGBTQ+ history)

Black and British: A Forgotten History – David Olusoga
An accessible, richly researched account of Black presence and history in Britain over the centuries.
(Non-Fiction; Themes: history, identity, racial equality)

Hidden Figures – Margot Lee Shetterly
The inspiring true story of the Black women mathematicians at NASA whose work made space exploration possible.
(Non-Fiction, TW: discrimination; Themes: STEM, perseverance, history)

The Autobiography of Malcolm X – Malcolm X
A gripping life story of one of the most influential leaders of the civil rights movement.
(Non-Fiction, TW: violence, racism; Themes: identity, civil rights, empowerment)

Half of a Yellow Sun – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A sweeping novel set during the Nigerian-Biafran War, exploring love, loyalty, and survival.
(Fiction, TW: war, violence; Themes: love, loyalty, survival)

Americanah – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
A love story across continents that explores race, migration, and identity.
(Fiction; Themes: race, migration, love)

Natives: Race and Class in the Ruins of Empire – Akala
A powerful book blending memoir and analysis, exploring race, class, and inequality in modern Britain.
(Non-Fiction; Themes: race, class, history)

The Lonely Londoners – Sam Selvon
A classic of post-war literature, following Caribbean migrants in London as they face hardship with humour and resilience.
(Fiction; Themes: migration, community, resilience)

Go Tell It on the Mountain – James Baldwin
A semi-autobiographical novel exploring faith, family, and the struggles of growing up in 1930s Harlem.
(Fiction, TW: religion, abuse; Themes: family, faith, coming-of-age)