4 Banned Black Novels for Students to Explore

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lack History Month may be over, but I want to highlight some of my favorite novels by remarkable Black authors. Specifically, I want to shine a light on books that have been banned across school districts because I feel like it’s more important than ever that we remain vigilant and informed.  

While researching for this post, I was shocked by the sheer number of books that have been banned, many of which I am personally familiar with. Books such as To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky, and I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou are among some of the books I enjoyed reading as an adolescent, and all of them have been placed on a banned book list at some point in history.  

Despite these books being banned, I hope we can continue to enjoy and share these powerful stories of resilience and joy.

I recently bought a “Read Banned Books” pin that I proudly display on my desk, a quiet symbol of resistance in my space. Despite these books being banned, I hope we can continue to enjoy and share these powerful stories of resilience and joy. I carry them with me and encourage you to do the same, not just during Black History Month, but throughout the year. 

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them by Junauda Petrus  

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them is a beautiful story about two Black girls, Mabel and Audre, who fall in love while navigating themes of identity, spirituality, and self-discovery.  

I read this beautiful novel by Junauda Petrus in a Black queer book club I am a part of last year, and it quickly became one of my favorites. I found myself moved to tears on several occasions, so I recommend having some tissues nearby if you decide to dive into this powerful story. 

Currently, this book is included on a list of 850 other proposed books to be banned in schools across Texas. 

Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall  

In Hood Feminism, Mikki Kendall examines how issues like gun violence, poverty, education, and other societal problems are deeply intertwined with feminism. Published in 2020, this nonfiction story is part autobiographical and critiques how mainstream feminism often fails to represent all women and forgets intersectionality. 

I listened to the audiobook on a long drive last summer, and I vividly remember gripping my steering wheel and shouting out loud in frustration while listening to Kendall’s words. The book offers such a raw, honest look at feminism and the ways the movement has historically neglected issues that disproportionately affect Black women. There were moments when I had to pause the recording to process it all, but I’m so glad I took the time to listen to it.  

Hood Feminism has been challenged in Texas and Florida school districts for “making students feel discomfort” around topics involving race and sexuality.    

Kindred by Octavia Butler 

Kindred follows the life of Dana, a Black woman living with her husband in California during the 1980s. Through a mysterious force, she is pulled back in time to the antebellum South, where she meets her ancestor—a white slaveowner. As she is repeatedly transported between time periods, Dana must navigate her life as an enslaved person while confronting her ancestral history.    

This was the first book my Black queer book club read this year, and it was fascinating to experience Black history through a science fiction lens. I couldn’t put it down and finished it in just two days—if you’re looking for an incredible page-turner, this is definitely the book for you.

Kindred is among the books banned by the North Carolina Department of Public Safety in September 2019. 

All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson 

In All Boys Aren’t Blue, George M. Johnson reflects on his life as a black queer individual growing up in New Jersey, and Virginia. It’s an incredible memoir that explores themes like gender identity, sexuality, toxic masculinity, family, and Black joy.  

I was immediately intrigued by the summary, but what really hooked me was learning that the title pays homage to one of my favorite films, Moonlight, and the play it’s based on, In the Moonlight Black Boys Look Blue. It’s now on my “To Be Read” list for 2025.   

This book has been challenged due to its sexual content, LGBTQ+ themes, and use of profanity. In Flagler County, a school board member filed a report with the county’s sheriff, claiming that having the book in a school library is a crime. The removal of the book sparked protests among students.