50 Books like Scorpions

After the Shot Drops

by Randy Ribay

To save his cousin from a gambling debt, Nasir must destroy his best friend's basketball career.

4.13

3k+

🏀 Basketball Drama 💔 Estranged Best Friends 🎓 Recruited Athlete 💰 Class Divide 🔫 Gun Violence

After the Shot Drops 92%

To save his cousin from a gambling debt, Nasir must destroy his best friend's basketball career.

by Randy Ribay 2018

4.13

3k+ ratings

🏀 Basketball Drama 💔 Estranged Best Friends 🎓 Recruited Athlete 💰 Class Divide 🔫 Gun Violence

Homeboyz

by Alan Sitomer • 2007

His sister killed by gangs, a teen genius must choose between revenge and saving a boy.

4.34

2k+

🔫 Gang Drama ⚔️ Revenge Quest 🧑‍🏫 Reluctant Mentor 🏠 Found Family 💔 Broken Home

Homeboyz 94%

His sister killed by gangs, a teen genius must choose between revenge and saving a boy.

by Alan Sitomer 2007

4.34

2k+ ratings

🔫 Gang Drama ⚔️ Revenge Quest 🧑‍🏫 Reluctant Mentor 🏠 Found Family 💔 Broken Home

Punching the Air

by Ibi Zoboi • 2020

Convicted after a fight, a Black teen artist paints the truth the courtroom would not hear.

4.39

24k+

🎨 Art As Survival ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✊🏾 Racial Injustice 🖋️ Novel In Verse

Punching the Air 91%

Convicted after a fight, a Black teen artist paints the truth the courtroom would not hear.

by Ibi Zoboi 2020

4.39

24k+ ratings

🎨 Art As Survival ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔒 Juvenile Detention ✊🏾 Racial Injustice 🖋️ Novel In Verse

A Deeper Love Inside

by Sister Souljah • 2013

Her father's arrest dethrones a Brooklyn princess. Inside juvenile detention, survival is a hustle.

4.13

7k+

🏙️ Urban Fiction 🔒 Juvenile Detention 👥 Found Family 💕 First Love 💔 Parental Addiction

A Deeper Love Inside 90%

Her father's arrest dethrones a Brooklyn princess. Inside juvenile detention, survival is a hustle.

by Sister Souljah 2013

4.13

7k+ ratings

🏙️ Urban Fiction 🔒 Juvenile Detention 👥 Found Family 💕 First Love 💔 Parental Addiction

Before the Ever After

by Jacqueline Woodson • 2020

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

4.17

16k+

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Before the Ever After 90%

When his NFL-star father's memory fails, ZJ must discover who he is without the legend.

by Jacqueline Woodson 2020

4.17

16k+ ratings

📜 Novels In Verse 💔 Parental Illness 🤝 Loyal Friend Group 🍂 Bittersweet 👦🏾 Black Boyhood

Money Hungry

by Sharon G. Flake • 2001

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

4.10

4k+

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

Money Hungry 90%

Raspberry's money obsession is a wall she builds against the homelessness she barely escaped.

by Sharon G. Flake 2001

4.10

4k+ ratings

🪙 Childhood Poverty 🏚️ Housing Insecurity 😰 Financial Anxiety 🍬 Kid Entrepreneur 🏙️ Urban Middle Grade

If You Come Softly

by Jacqueline Woodson • 1998

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

4.03

13k+

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

If You Come Softly 90%

White girl, Black boy, Manhattan prep school. Falling in love is the easy part.

by Jacqueline Woodson 1998

4.03

13k+ ratings

💕 Interracial First Love 🖋️ Literary Ya 📼 1990s Coming Of Age 🏫 Private School 🗽 New York City

The Spook Who Sat by the Door

by Sam Greenlee • 1969

A black CIA recruit secretly trains a Chicago street gang to fight a guerrilla war.

4.34

4k+

🔥 Guerrilla Resistance 🎭 Double Life 💔 Friends To Enemies ✊🏿 Black Liberation 📜 Civil Rights Era

The Spook Who Sat by the Door 90%

A black CIA recruit secretly trains a Chicago street gang to fight a guerrilla war.

by Sam Greenlee 1969

4.34

4k+ ratings

🔥 Guerrilla Resistance 🎭 Double Life 💔 Friends To Enemies ✊🏿 Black Liberation 📜 Civil Rights Era

Ghost Boys

by Jewell Parker Rhodes • 2018

A Black boy killed by police lingers as a ghost, seen only by the officer's daughter.

4.33

34k+

🚨 Police Violence 👻 Ghost Narrator ⚖️ Racial Reckoning 💔 Childhood Grief 🕰️ Historical Echoes

Ghost Boys 89%

A Black boy killed by police lingers as a ghost, seen only by the officer's daughter.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2018

4.33

34k+ ratings

🚨 Police Violence 👻 Ghost Narrator ⚖️ Racial Reckoning 💔 Childhood Grief 🕰️ Historical Echoes

Cuts Both Ways

by Candice Brathwaite • 2022

After her brother's murder, a London teen falls for a boy who might know the killer.

3.74

830

🖤 Black British 🏫 Elite Private School 💔 Sibling Grief ☠️ Forbidden Love 🔺 Love Triangle

Cuts Both Ways 89%

After her brother's murder, a London teen falls for a boy who might know the killer.

by Candice Brathwaite 2022

3.74

830 ratings

🖤 Black British 🏫 Elite Private School 💔 Sibling Grief ☠️ Forbidden Love 🔺 Love Triangle

Dear Martin

by Nic Stone • 2017

Wrongfully arrested, a Black teen writes a civil rights icon. A cop's bullet tests his nonviolence.

4.33

86k+

🚨 Racial Profiling 👮🏾‍♂️ Police Brutality ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 🏫 Private School 💕 Interracial Romance

Dear Martin 89%

Wrongfully arrested, a Black teen writes a civil rights icon. A cop's bullet tests his nonviolence.

by Nic Stone 2017

4.33

86k+ ratings

🚨 Racial Profiling 👮🏾‍♂️ Police Brutality ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 🏫 Private School 💕 Interracial Romance

Blended

by Sharon M. Draper • 2018

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

4.16

20k+

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

Blended 89%

Between her white mom and Black dad, Isabella searches for the melody that sounds like her.

by Sharon M. Draper 2018

4.16

20k+ ratings

🖤 Biracial Protagonist 📅 Shared Custody 🎹 Piano As Escape 🏫 School Racism 🚔 Police Violence

A Moment of Silence

by Sister Souljah • 2015

Midnight kills a predator to save his sister. In jail, his only weapon is silence.

4.32

2k+

🏙️ Street Justice ⚖️ Legal Drama 🔫 Crime Family 🎭 Secret Identity 🤫 Strategic Silence

A Moment of Silence 89%

Midnight kills a predator to save his sister. In jail, his only weapon is silence.

by Sister Souljah 2015

4.32

2k+ ratings

🏙️ Street Justice ⚖️ Legal Drama 🔫 Crime Family 🎭 Secret Identity 🤫 Strategic Silence

That Was Then, This Is Now

by S.E. Hinton • 1998

Bryon and Mark were like brothers, until Mark's drug dealing forced an impossible choice.

3.94

42k+

🏚️ Gritty Realism 💔 Doomed Friendship 🏠 Found Family ⚖️ Moral Awakening 🕰️ 1970s America

That Was Then, This Is Now 90%

Bryon and Mark were like brothers, until Mark's drug dealing forced an impossible choice.

by S.E. Hinton 1998

3.94

42k+ ratings

🏚️ Gritty Realism 💔 Doomed Friendship 🏠 Found Family ⚖️ Moral Awakening 🕰️ 1970s America

The Skin I'm In

by Sharon G. Flake • 2000

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

4.16

17k+

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

The Skin I'm In 90%

Bullied for dark skin, Maleeka hides in borrowed clothes. A scarred teacher challenges the mirror.

by Sharon G. Flake 2000

4.16

17k+ ratings

🎨 Colorism 💔 Toxic Friendship 📚 Mentor Teacher ✍️ Healing Through Writing 🏫 Middle School Life

We Are Not From Here

by Jenny Torres Sanchez

After witnessing a gang murder, three Guatemalan teens must flee on the freight trains north.

4.47

8k+

🚂 Migrant Journey 👻 Ghostly Visions 🖤 Gritty Ya 👥 Found Family 🏜️ Border Crossing

We Are Not From Here 89%

After witnessing a gang murder, three Guatemalan teens must flee on the freight trains north.

by Jenny Torres Sanchez 2020

4.47

8k+ ratings

🚂 Migrant Journey 👻 Ghostly Visions 🖤 Gritty Ya 👥 Found Family 🏜️ Border Crossing

We Are Not Like Them

by Christine Pride • 2021

A Black journalist's best friend is married to the officer who killed a Black teen.

4.06

53k+

🫂 Female Friendship 🤝 Interracial Friendship 👥 Dual Perspective 🚔 Police Brutality ⚖️ Moral Complexity

We Are Not Like Them 89%

A Black journalist's best friend is married to the officer who killed a Black teen.

by Christine Pride 2021

4.06

53k+ ratings

🫂 Female Friendship 🤝 Interracial Friendship 👥 Dual Perspective 🚔 Police Brutality ⚖️ Moral Complexity

Kiki and Jacques

by Susan Ross • 2015

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

3.74

151

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Kiki and Jacques 89%

In Maine, an eleven-year-old befriends a Somali girl while hiding his role in a robbery plan.

by Susan Ross 2015

3.74

151 ratings

🏘️ Small Town Maine 🌍 Cross-Cultural Friendship 💔 Childhood Grief 🧳 Refugee Experience ⚽ Soccer Rivalry

Children of the Knight

by Michael J. Bowler • 2013

King Arthur wakes in L.A. and knights homeless teens; Lance, fourteen, is First Knight.

4.02

171

🗡️ Modern Arthuriana 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Retellings 👥 Found Family 💔 Tragic Hero 💥 Gang Violence

Children of the Knight 89%

King Arthur wakes in L.A. and knights homeless teens; Lance, fourteen, is First Knight.

by Michael J. Bowler 2013

4.02

171 ratings

🗡️ Modern Arthuriana 🏳️‍🌈 Queer Retellings 👥 Found Family 💔 Tragic Hero 💥 Gang Violence

Black Brother, Black Brother

by Jewell Parker Rhodes • 2020

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

4.17

8k+

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Black Brother, Black Brother 89%

Arrested because he's Black, a prep school boy trains to beat the bully captain at fencing.

by Jewell Parker Rhodes 2020

4.17

8k+ ratings

🖤 Colorism 🤺 Fencing 👥 Brotherhood ⚖️ Racial Injustice 🦉 Mentor Figures

Whore

by Tanika Lynch • 2002

Abandoned at fourteen with two siblings, she turns to the streets to keep them alive.

4.47

2k+

📖 Street Lit 🏙️ Inner City 🏠 Found Family 🛟 Rescuer Romance 💔 Mother Wound

Whore 89%

Abandoned at fourteen with two siblings, she turns to the streets to keep them alive.

by Tanika Lynch 2002

4.47

2k+ ratings

📖 Street Lit 🏙️ Inner City 🏠 Found Family 🛟 Rescuer Romance 💔 Mother Wound

As Brave As You

by Jason Reynolds • 2016

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

4.05

8k+

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

As Brave As You 89%

A city kid's summer uncovers his blind grandfather's secrets and a family's definition of bravery.

by Jason Reynolds 2016

4.05

8k+ ratings

🏙️ City To Country 👴👦 Grandparent Bond 👨‍🦯 Blind Grandparent 🤫 Family Secrets 💪 Quiet Bravery

The Warriors

by Sol Yurick • 1965

After a gang truce shatters in gunfire, six boys fight their way home across New York.

3.37

3k+

🔪 Literary Crime 👥 Gang Brotherhood 💪 Toxic Masculinity 🏙️ Gritty Realism 🏃 Survival Journey

The Warriors 89%

After a gang truce shatters in gunfire, six boys fight their way home across New York.

by Sol Yurick 1965

3.37

3k+ ratings

🔪 Literary Crime 👥 Gang Brotherhood 💪 Toxic Masculinity 🏙️ Gritty Realism 🏃 Survival Journey

This Is My America

by Kim Johnson • 2020

Her father faces execution, her brother a murder charge. A Texas teen hunts the real killer.

4.44

10k+

⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🌳 Generational Trauma 👫 Sibling Loyalty

This Is My America 89%

Her father faces execution, her brother a murder charge. A Texas teen hunts the real killer.

by Kim Johnson 2020

4.44

10k+ ratings

⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🔍 Amateur Sleuth 🏘️ Small Town Secrets 🌳 Generational Trauma 👫 Sibling Loyalty

No and Me

by Delphine de Vigan • 2007

A thirteen-year-old prodigy, too anxious to speak, meets a homeless girl and finds her voice.

3.72

20k+

🖋️ Literary Young Adult 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧠 Precocious Narrator 💔 Limits Of Rescue 🌅 Bittersweet Ending

No and Me 89%

A thirteen-year-old prodigy, too anxious to speak, meets a homeless girl and finds her voice.

by Delphine de Vigan 2007

3.72

20k+ ratings

🖋️ Literary Young Adult 🤝 Unlikely Friendship 🧠 Precocious Narrator 💔 Limits Of Rescue 🌅 Bittersweet Ending

The Outsiders

by S.E. Hinton • 1967

A sensitive greaser hides out after his friend kills a Soc, learning what innocence costs.

4.15

1.6M+

🏭 Working Class Fiction 🔪 Gang Rivalry 🫂 Found Family 🍂 Loss Of Innocence ⚖️ Class Divide

The Outsiders 89%

A sensitive greaser hides out after his friend kills a Soc, learning what innocence costs.

by S.E. Hinton 1967

4.15

1.6M+ ratings

🏭 Working Class Fiction 🔪 Gang Rivalry 🫂 Found Family 🍂 Loss Of Innocence ⚖️ Class Divide

Six Truths and a Lie

by Ream Shukairy

On July Fourth, an oil rig explodes and six Muslim teens take the fall.

3.89

1k+

📁 Legal Thriller ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🌙 Islamophobia 🥀 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Allies

Six Truths and a Lie 89%

On July Fourth, an oil rig explodes and six Muslim teens take the fall.

by Ream Shukairy 2024

3.89

1k+ ratings

📁 Legal Thriller ⚖️ Wrongful Conviction 🌙 Islamophobia 🥀 Survivor's Guilt 🤝 Reluctant Allies

The Hate U Give

by Angie Thomas • 2017

A teen witnesses a police shooting and becomes the sole voice for her friend's justice.

4.45

1.0M+

🖤 Racial Injustice ✊ Teen Activism 🔄 Code Switching 🎤 Finding Your Voice 💑 Interracial Romance

The Hate U Give 90%

A teen witnesses a police shooting and becomes the sole voice for her friend's justice.

by Angie Thomas 2017

4.45

1.0M+ ratings

🖤 Racial Injustice ✊ Teen Activism 🔄 Code Switching 🎤 Finding Your Voice 💑 Interracial Romance

The Dopefiend

by JaQuavis Coleman • 2010

Her surrogate mother gave her heroin. Now two men are destroying each other to save her.

4.53

2k+

🏙️ Street Lit 💉 Addiction Spiral 🔄 Cycles Of Violence 👥 Surrogate Family 👑 Female Kingpin

The Dopefiend 90%

Her surrogate mother gave her heroin. Now two men are destroying each other to save her.

by JaQuavis Coleman 2010

4.53

2k+ ratings

🏙️ Street Lit 💉 Addiction Spiral 🔄 Cycles Of Violence 👥 Surrogate Family 👑 Female Kingpin

Acceleration

by Graham McNamee • 2003

In the lost and found, a guilt-ridden teen uncovers a killer's diary and a countdown to murder.

3.74

5k+

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🔍 Teen Sleuths 💧 Survivor's Guilt 🛡️ Reluctant Hero 👥 Found Family

Acceleration 89%

In the lost and found, a guilt-ridden teen uncovers a killer's diary and a countdown to murder.

by Graham McNamee 2003

3.74

5k+ ratings

🩸 Serial Killer Thriller 🔍 Teen Sleuths 💧 Survivor's Guilt 🛡️ Reluctant Hero 👥 Found Family

All My Rage

by Sabaa Tahir • 2022

Sal sells drugs to save his motel, hiding it from Noor, the girl he loves.

4.48

66k+

🌄 Immigrant Dreams 🕌 Pakistani-American 💞 Friends To Lovers 🍺 Parent With Addiction 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

All My Rage 89%

Sal sells drugs to save his motel, hiding it from Noor, the girl he loves.

by Sabaa Tahir 2022

4.48

66k+ ratings

🌄 Immigrant Dreams 🕌 Pakistani-American 💞 Friends To Lovers 🍺 Parent With Addiction 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman

by Gennifer Choldenko • 2024

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

4.46

4k+

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman Summary

The Tenth Mistake of Hank Hooperman 88%

Abandoned with his baby sister, eleven-year-old Hank has nothing but one name on a school form.

by Gennifer Choldenko 2024

4.46

4k+ ratings

🏠 Foster Care 👦 Sibling Caretaker 🤝 Found Family 👤 Absent Parent 🍾 Parental Addiction

The Black Kids

by Christina Hammonds Reed • 2020

When the Rodney King verdict ignites LA, a Black teen's private-school act goes up in flames.

4.02

11k+

🗣️ Code-Switching 🖤 Racial Reckoning 🗯️ High School Rumor 💔 Toxic Friendships 😔 Guilt And Amends

The Black Kids 88%

When the Rodney King verdict ignites LA, a Black teen's private-school act goes up in flames.

by Christina Hammonds Reed 2020

4.02

11k+ ratings

🗣️ Code-Switching 🖤 Racial Reckoning 🗯️ High School Rumor 💔 Toxic Friendships 😔 Guilt And Amends

Falling Short

by Ernesto Cisneros • 2022

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

4.05

2k+

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Falling Short 88%

Sixth grade. Basketball tryouts. Two best friends whose fathers are failing them in different ways.

by Ernesto Cisneros 2022

4.05

2k+ ratings

🏀 Middle School Sports 🤝 Odd Couple Friends 💔 Absent Father 🍺 Parental Addiction 👥 Dual Pov

Stranger Things

by Suyi Davies • 2022

Lucas Sinclair's fresh start meets Hawkins racism and a demon that feeds on trauma.

4.07

2k+

🏚️ Supernatural Small Town 🎒 Coming Of Age Horror 🔄 Code Switching 🎭 Small Town Racism 🏀 Basketball Identity

Stranger Things 88%

Lucas Sinclair's fresh start meets Hawkins racism and a demon that feeds on trauma.

by Suyi Davies 2022

4.07

2k+ ratings

🏚️ Supernatural Small Town 🎒 Coming Of Age Horror 🔄 Code Switching 🎭 Small Town Racism 🏀 Basketball Identity

Out of Darkness

by Ashley Hope Pérez • 2016

1937 Texas: a Mexican American girl, a Black boy, and a love their town wants dead.

4.14

9k+

💔 Forbidden Love 💕 Interracial Romance 🏚️ Jim Crow South 📜 Depression Era 🌊 Lyrical Tragedy

Out of Darkness 88%

1937 Texas: a Mexican American girl, a Black boy, and a love their town wants dead.

by Ashley Hope Pérez 2016

4.14

9k+ ratings

💔 Forbidden Love 💕 Interracial Romance 🏚️ Jim Crow South 📜 Depression Era 🌊 Lyrical Tragedy

If Beale Street Could Talk

by James Baldwin • 1974

Pregnant, a young Black woman in 1970s Harlem battles to free her falsely accused fiancé.

4.27

84k+

🖤 Black Love Story 🗣️ False Accusation ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 👮 Police Brutality 💔 Love And Incarceration

If Beale Street Could Talk 88%

Pregnant, a young Black woman in 1970s Harlem battles to free her falsely accused fiancé.

by James Baldwin 1974

4.27

84k+ ratings

🖤 Black Love Story 🗣️ False Accusation ⛓️ Wrongful Arrest 👮 Police Brutality 💔 Love And Incarceration

Push

by Sapphire • 1996

A pregnant, illiterate Harlem girl finds a classroom teaching her to read and reclaim her future.

3.88

60k+

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🩹 Trauma Recovery 📚 Teacher-Student Bond 📖 Literacy As Liberation 🏙️ Harlem Setting

Push 88%

A pregnant, illiterate Harlem girl finds a classroom teaching her to read and reclaim her future.

by Sapphire 1996

3.88

60k+ ratings

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Found Family 🩹 Trauma Recovery 📚 Teacher-Student Bond 📖 Literacy As Liberation 🏙️ Harlem Setting

The Recruit

by Robert Muchamore • 2004

After his mother dies, a bullied boy joins a secret agency turning children into spies.

4.23

40k+

👶 Child Spies 🏫 Spy Academy 🏕️ Survival Training 💕 Sibling Devotion 🕵️ Realistic Espionage

The Recruit 88%

After his mother dies, a bullied boy joins a secret agency turning children into spies.

by Robert Muchamore 2004

4.23

40k+ ratings

👶 Child Spies 🏫 Spy Academy 🏕️ Survival Training 💕 Sibling Devotion 🕵️ Realistic Espionage

The Battle of Jericho

by Sharon M. Draper • 2003

Elite secret club tempts teen trumpeter into cruel initiations, absolute silence, and a fatal leap.

4.14

4k+

🕵️ Secret Society ⚠️ Hazing Rituals 💀 Fatal Hazing 🤫 Pact Of Silence 🫡 Blind Loyalty

The Battle of Jericho 90%

Elite secret club tempts teen trumpeter into cruel initiations, absolute silence, and a fatal leap.

by Sharon M. Draper 2003

4.14

4k+ ratings

🕵️ Secret Society ⚠️ Hazing Rituals 💀 Fatal Hazing 🤫 Pact Of Silence 🫡 Blind Loyalty

Rebound

by Kwame Alexander • 2018

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

4.30

14k+

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Rebound 90%

His father dies. Sent to his grandparents, a boy discovers basketball and a path through loss.

by Kwame Alexander 2018

4.30

14k+ ratings

📖 Novel In Verse 🏀 Sports Fiction 👴 Grandparent Summer 🕊️ Loss Of A Parent 🖤 Black Boyhood

Boy Swallows Universe

by Trent Dalton

A mute brother's prophecy and a phantom call hurl a boy into a heroin kingpin's empire.

4.34

100k+

🤐 Selective Mutism 🔮 Ominous Prophecy 🔓 Prison Escape 💊 Parental Addiction 📰 Aspiring Journalist

Boy Swallows Universe 88%

A mute brother's prophecy and a phantom call hurl a boy into a heroin kingpin's empire.

by Trent Dalton 2018

4.34

100k+ ratings

🤐 Selective Mutism 🔮 Ominous Prophecy 🔓 Prison Escape 💊 Parental Addiction 📰 Aspiring Journalist

New Boy

by Tracy Chevalier • 2017

The new Black boy at a 1970s D.C. school catches a girl's eye and a bully's wrath.

3.49

10k+

🎭 Shakespeare Retelling 🎠 Playground Politics ⚡ Racial Tension 🇺🇸 1970s America 🐍 Jealousy And Betrayal

New Boy 88%

The new Black boy at a 1970s D.C. school catches a girl's eye and a bully's wrath.

by Tracy Chevalier 2017

3.49

10k+ ratings

🎭 Shakespeare Retelling 🎠 Playground Politics ⚡ Racial Tension 🇺🇸 1970s America 🐍 Jealousy And Betrayal

Als wir Schwäne waren

by Behzad Karim Khani • 2024

An Iranian boy grows up in a German housing estate where fists speak louder than his parents' hopes.

4.33

1k+

🏙️ Housing Estate Life 🧳 Exile And Displacement 👥 Gang Loyalty And Rivalry 🌉 Between Two Cultures 🖋️ Lyrical Realism

Als wir Schwäne waren 88%

An Iranian boy grows up in a German housing estate where fists speak louder than his parents' hopes.

by Behzad Karim Khani 2024

4.33

1k+ ratings

🏙️ Housing Estate Life 🧳 Exile And Displacement 👥 Gang Loyalty And Rivalry 🌉 Between Two Cultures 🖋️ Lyrical Realism

Ethic 3

by Ashley Antoinette • 2018

A street king's revenge cost him his family. Her faith is the only way back.

4.54

6k+

🏙️ Street Lit Romance 💔 Second Chance Love 🕊️ Child Loss 🏠 Found Family 😢 High Angst

Ethic 3 88%

A street king's revenge cost him his family. Her faith is the only way back.

by Ashley Antoinette 2018

4.54

6k+ ratings

🏙️ Street Lit Romance 💔 Second Chance Love 🕊️ Child Loss 🏠 Found Family 😢 High Angst

The Cartel

by Ashley Antoinette • 2009

A hitwoman sent to destroy a Miami crime family falls for its reluctant heir.

4.54

11k+

🏙️ Street Lit 💔 Enemies To Lovers 🚫 Forbidden Love 🔺 Love Triangle 🎭 Secret Identity

The Cartel 88%

A hitwoman sent to destroy a Miami crime family falls for its reluctant heir.

by Ashley Antoinette 2009

4.54

11k+ ratings

🏙️ Street Lit 💔 Enemies To Lovers 🚫 Forbidden Love 🔺 Love Triangle 🎭 Secret Identity

Strike Zone

by Mike Lupica • 2019

A Bronx pitcher dreams of Yankee Stadium. His undocumented parents dream of staying in America.

4.17

397

🧢 Youth Baseball 📋 Undocumented Parents 🩺 Sick Sibling 💪 Heartfelt Sports 🏙️ South Bronx

Strike Zone 88%

A Bronx pitcher dreams of Yankee Stadium. His undocumented parents dream of staying in America.

by Mike Lupica 2019

4.17

397 ratings

🧢 Youth Baseball 📋 Undocumented Parents 🩺 Sick Sibling 💪 Heartfelt Sports 🏙️ South Bronx

Bouncing Back

by Scott Ostler • 2019

Newly paralyzed, a teen basketball star joins a wheelchair team to find his place.

4.05

220

🏀 Youth Basketball 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family 😒 Reluctant Athlete 🤝 Bully Redemption ✊ Community Activism

Bouncing Back 88%

Newly paralyzed, a teen basketball star joins a wheelchair team to find his place.

by Scott Ostler 2019

4.05

220 ratings

🏀 Youth Basketball 👨‍👩‍👦 Found Family 😒 Reluctant Athlete 🤝 Bully Redemption ✊ Community Activism

The Thing About Jellyfish

by Ali Benjamin • 2015

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

4.10

45k+

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

The Thing About Jellyfish 88%

After her best friend drowns, a girl stops speaking and searches for answers in jellyfish.

by Ali Benjamin 2015

4.10

45k+ ratings

🔬 Young Scientist 🤫 Chosen Silence 💔 Grieving A Friend 🥲 Bittersweet ✨ Lyrical Middle Grade

Miles Morales Suspended

by Jason Reynolds • 2023

Suspended for defying a racist teacher, Miles discovers his school is devouring its own stories.

3.81

1k+

📜 Verse Novel ✊ Student Resistance 📚 Book Censorship 🕷️ Black Superhero ⛓️ School-To-Prison Pipeline

Miles Morales Suspended 88%

Suspended for defying a racist teacher, Miles discovers his school is devouring its own stories.

by Jason Reynolds 2023

3.81

1k+ ratings

📜 Verse Novel ✊ Student Resistance 📚 Book Censorship 🕷️ Black Superhero ⛓️ School-To-Prison Pipeline

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