5 Recommendations in Middle Grade Fiction by Black Authors
This book is a modern, middle grade take on a traditional Haitian Folktale. The Jumbies are dark, malevolent creatures that prey on humans. Corrine and her father are non-believers, but when a mysterious woman named Severine enters their lives, things begin to change. Corinne and her friends must work together to save the day and battle forces of evil to save her father and their hometown! It is action packed, immersive, and combines the best elements of folklore, dark fantasy, and horror in one. The first in a series aimed at Grades 3 through 5.
The Forgotten Girl
By India Hill Brown
This book combines real world social issues and historical fiction with elements of horror and ghost stories. One cold, snowy evening, Iris and Daniel run to a clearing in the woods to play in the snow. Iris finds a crumbling headstone of the deceased Avery Moore beneath her snow angel, and that’s when strange things begin to happen! Iris starts having vivid nightmares, sees shadows lurking around her, and feels an inescapable pull back to the woods. In an effort to get to the bottom of things, Iris and Daniel accidentally discover Avery’s grave is part of a neglected and segregated cemetery for Black people. Will they be able to pay respects and give long due recognition to Avery and the other people long since past? This story explores racism and segregation within a modern-day ghost story. Aimed at grades 3 through 7.
If you’re seeking Queer representation and are looking for a unique reading experience, this is the one! This gorgeous novel explores themes of theology, good and evil, and combines horror and dark fantasy. Jam and Redemption have grown up with the understanding that there are no monsters in the city of Lucille anymore. But when Jam encounters Pet, a creature who some perceive as quite monstrous, she must think twice about what she’s been taught. Although no one in Lucille has seen a monster in years, Pet is hunting a shadow creature skulking in Redemption’s home. Jam begins to question everything she knows in order to protect her best friend and discover the real truth. But how do you save everyone you love from an evil no one cares to admit even exists? Aimed at grades 6 through 9.
Dragons in a Bag
By Zetta Elliot
Jaxon is sent away to spend the day with a mean elderly woman whom his mother refers to as Ma, but he soon discovers she’s not really his grandmother at all, but a witch! Ma needs help transporting baby dragons from our world to magical realm where they can live safely. Jaxon ca help her on the condition he follows two simple rules: do not let them out of their transport bag, and definitely do not feed them anything sweet. But kids will be kids...and it’s not long before Jax and his two best friends have broken not one but both of the sacred rules. Now Jax must work hard to remedy his mistakes and save these baby dragons set loose in Brooklyn! This urban fantasy tale is the first installment of a short series. Aimed at grades 3 through 7.
Combining the history and culture of the Gullah Geechee nation along with fantasy and mystery, this one is sure to please. It’s the early 1960s, and life is changing for Jezebel Turner. She’s growing up and navigating the social turbulence of the 60s, navigating her emotions surrounding the recent death of her beloved grandmother, and the local authorities won’t leave her grieving family alone. Things aren’t any easier at school, where Jez and her twin brother Jay are adjusting to the newness of school integration in the south. When the pair turn eleven years old, however, their uncle Doc begins to train them in the folk magic known as rootwork. The timing couldn’t be more perfect, because a strange, dark, and supernatural darkness has rolled into the city. Jez is going to have to find the strength to carry on and be brave if she and Jay are going to be able to save the family and the town from unsavory forces of evil! Aimed at grades 3 through 7.
