Suggested Authors for Boys Ages 10–16
Looking for your child’s next great read? We've gathered a list of powerful, engaging books that celebrate Black voices, spark imagination, and encourage self-expression. Whether you're into graphic novels, poetry, or coming-of-age stories, there's something here for every young reader ready to turn the page.
📖 Recommended Book: The Crossover
✍🏾 Author: Kwame Alexander
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 kwamealexander.com
A fast-paced novel written in dynamic verse, The Crossover follows twin brothers navigating basketball, brotherhood, and growing up. With powerful rhythms and emotional depth, this story engages reluctant readers and celebrates both sports and storytelling. Perfect for middle-grade boys who love movement, music, and meaning.
📖 Recommended Book: Who Got Game?: Baseball - Amazing but True Stories
✍🏾 Author: Derrick Barnes
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 derrickdbarnes.com
This fun and factual book shines a light on unsung Black heroes in baseball history. With a lively voice and bold storytelling, Derrick Barnes brings the game to life—highlighting talent, resilience, and history that too often goes untold. An inspiring pick for curious readers and young sports fans alike.
📖 Recommended Book: New Kid
✍🏾 Author: Jerry Craft
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 jerrycraft.com
A compelling graphic novel that tackles race, identity, and the challenges of being the new kid at school—with humor, honesty, and heart. Perfect for readers who enjoy visual storytelling and real-life themes.
📖 Recommended Book: Bud, Not Buddy
✍🏾 Author: Christopher Paul Curtis
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 christopherpaulcurtisbooks.com
A timeless coming-of-age story set during the Great Depression, Bud, Not Buddy follows a determined young boy on a quest to find his father. Filled with humor, resilience, and heart, it’s a powerful read about hope and identity.
📖 Recommended Book: What Lane?
✍🏾 Author: Torrey Maldonado
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 torreymaldonado.com
A timely and relatable story about friendship, identity, and what it means to navigate the world as a young Black boy. Torrey Maldonado brings voice and heart to a book that encourages readers to choose their own lane—and stand up for what’s right.
📖 Recommended Book: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky
✍🏾 Author: Kwame Mbalia
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 kwamembalia.com
An action-packed fantasy adventure that blends African and African American folklore. When Tristan accidentally rips a hole into a mythical world, he must battle powerful forces—and his own grief—to become a true hero. A must-read for fans of mythology and epic storytelling.
📖 Recommended Book: Miles Morales: Shock Waves
✍🏾 Author: Justin A. Reynolds
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 justinareynolds.com
A fast-paced Marvel graphic novel featuring Miles Morales, a young Spider-Man juggling superhero duties and everyday life. When a community crisis hits close to home, Miles must rise to the challenge—proving that real power lies in doing what’s right.
📖 Recommended Book: The Stars Beneath Our Feet
✍🏾 Author: David Barclay Moore
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 davidbarclaymoore.com
Set in Harlem, this powerful story follows a boy coping with grief through creativity and imagination. As he builds intricate Lego worlds to process his loss, he also begins to rebuild his own path forward. A moving, hopeful read about healing, art, and resilience.
📖 Recommended Book: Monster
✍🏾 Author: Walter Dean Myers
🎯 Ages: 13–16
🔗 walterdeanmyers.net
Told in a unique screenplay format, Monster is a gripping courtroom drama about a 16-year-old boy on trial for murder. Through journal entries and script-style narration, Walter Dean Myers explores identity, justice, and the power of perception. A thought-provoking classic that challenges readers to think deeply.
📖 Recommended Book: The Parker Inheritance
✍🏾 Author: Varian Johnson
🎯 Ages: 10–14
🔗 varianjohnson.com
A clever and engaging mystery that weaves together puzzles, family secrets, and African American history. When two kids uncover a decades-old letter, they set off on a journey to solve a mystery that could change their town—and themselves. Perfect for fans of The Westing Game and historical fiction.