YA Books for Juneteenth: Celebrate Black Stories with Underlined

Sun Keep Rising

By Kristen R. Lee

When rent increases put a teen mom at risk of losing her home, she resorts to a dangerous game to keep her family afloat. But all games have consequences, and this isn’t one she can afford to lose. A gripping story about race, income instability, and the strength it takes to survive from a critically acclaimed author.

Finding Jupiter

By Kelis Rowe

Sparks fly when Orion and Ray meet for the first time at a roller rink in Memphis. But these star-crossed souls have a past filled with secrets that threaten to tear them apart before their love story even begins. Found poetry, grief, and fate collide in this powerful debut.

Vinyl Moon

By Mahogany L. Browne

A teen girl hiding the scars of a past relationship finds home and healing in the words of strong Black writers. A beautiful sophomore novel from a critically acclaimed author and poet that explores how words have the power to shape and uplift our world even in the midst of pain.

Dear Martin

By Nic Stone

Raw, captivating, and undeniably real, Nic Stone joins industry giants Jason Reynolds and Walter Dean Myers as she boldly tackles American race relations in this stunning #1 New York Times bestselling debut, a William C. Morris Award Finalist.

Invisible Son

By Kim Johnson

From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of This Is My America comes another thriller about a wrongly accused teen desperate to recclaim both his innocence and his first love.

The Black Queen

By Jumata Emill

Nova Albright was going to be the first Black homecoming queen at Lovett High—but now she’s dead. Murdered on coronation night. Fans of One of Us Is Lying and The Other Black Girl will love this unputdownable thriller.

Friday I'm in Love

By Camryn Garrett

It’s too late for a Sweet Sixteen, but what if Mahalia had a coming-out party? A love letter to romantic comedies, sweet sixteen blowouts, Black joy, and queer pride.

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

By Talia Hibbert

From the bestselling author of the Brown Sisters trilogy, comes a laugh-out-loud story about a quirky content creator and a clean-cut athlete testing their abilities to survive the great outdoors—and each other.

Instructions for Dancing

By Nicola Yoon

In this romantic page-turner from the author of Everything, Everything and The Sun is Also a Star, Evie has the power to see other people’s romantic fates—what will happen when she finally sees her own?

Nubia: The Awakening

By Omar Epps, Clarence A. Haynes

From beloved actor and producer Omar Epps and writer Clarence A. Haynes comes the biggest epic fantasy of the year. A powerful saga of three teens, the children of refugees from a fallen African utopia, who must navigate their newfound powers in a climate-ravaged New York City. Perfect for fans of Black Panther and Children of Blood and Bone.

Skin of the Sea

By Natasha Bowen

The must-read Black mermaid fantasy series that #1 NYT bestselling author Nicola Yoon calls “epic and original,” in which one mermaid takes on the gods themselves. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and anyone who can’t wait for the live-action The Little Mermaid.

The Gilded Ones

By Namina Forna

“A dark feminist tale spun with blood and gold. Must read!” –Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times bestselling author of The Belles

The start of a bold and immersive fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

Pet

By Akwaeke Emezi

A genre-defying novel from the award-winning author NPR describes as “like [Madeline] L’Engle…glorious.” A singular book that explores themes of identity and justice. Pet is here to hunt a monster. Are you brave enough to look?

Dreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults)

By Barack Obama

Now adapted for young adults—the #1 New York Times bestselling memoir, which Toni Morrison called “quite extraordinary,” offers an intimate look at Barack Obama’s early days. This is a compelling journey tracing the future 44th president’s odyssey through family, race, and identity.

Notes from a Young Black Chef (Adapted for Young Adults)

By Kwame Onwuachi, Joshua David Stein

This inspiring memoir, now adapted for young adults, chronicles Top Chef star and Forbes and Zagat 30 Under 30 phenom Kwame Onwuachi’s incredible and odds-defying fame in the food world after a tough childhood in the Bronx and Nigeria.

The Beautiful Struggle (Adapted for Young Adults)

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

Adapted from the adult memoir by the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Water Dancer and Between the World and Me, this father-son story explores how boys become men, and quite specifically, how Ta-Nehisi Coates became Ta-Nehisi Coates.

Just Mercy (Movie Tie-In Edition, Adapted for Young Adults)

By Bryan Stevenson

The young adult adaptation of the acclaimed, #1 New York Times bestseller Just Mercy–now a major motion picture starring Michael B. Jordan, Jaime Foxx, and Brie Larson and the subject of an HBO documentary feature!

Celebrate Black Stories with Underlined

Celebrate Black Stories

Sun Keep Rising

By Kristen R. Lee

Finding Jupiter

By Kelis Rowe

Vinyl Moon

By Mahogany L. Browne

Dear Martin

By Nic Stone

Invisible Son

By Kim Johnson

The Black Queen

By Jumata Emill

Celebrate Black Love

Friday I'm in Love

By Camryn Garrett

Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute

By Talia Hibbert

Instructions for Dancing

By Nicola Yoon

Celebrate Black Fantasy

Nubia: The Awakening

By Omar Epps, Clarence A. Haynes

Skin of the Sea

By Natasha Bowen

The Gilded Ones

By Namina Forna

Pet

By Akwaeke Emezi

Celebrate Real Life Black Stories

Dreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults)

By Barack Obama

Notes from a Young Black Chef (Adapted for Young Adults)

By Kwame Onwuachi, Joshua David Stein

The Beautiful Struggle (Adapted for Young Adults)

By Ta-Nehisi Coates

Just Mercy (Movie Tie-In Edition, Adapted for Young Adults)

By Bryan Stevenson

Discover More Black Stories to Love

Did you enjoy this article on YA books for Juneteenth? Check out other book nerd articles here, and get social with us at @getunderlined!

Related Articles

Treat Yourself to a Murder

Celebrate Your Right to Read!

If Books Were Fall Drinks, Which Should You Order Next?

Become a Book Nerd

Underlined