Advanced Search

Search

Advanced Search

All locations will be closed Monday, October 2nd for Staff Development Day.

Jacket cover images copied to clipboard.

General Recommendations

From the Limitations of Now: Young Adult Books

By:

AdultServicesCE

Tulsa City-County Library

Staff-created list

Here are some of our favorite books for young adults telling stories of Black imagination and power. To accompany Philbrook Museum's exhibition "From the Limitations of Now" on display from March 14th through September 5th, 2021. Bringing together local artists and artists working across the country, "From the Limitations of Now" reflects on the important ways art and literature allow us to examine America’s past and picture a future in which, in the words of renowned Oklahoma author Ralph Ellison, “we are able to free ourselves from the limitations of today.”

By:

AdultServicesCE

Tulsa City-County Library

20 items

20 items

Poet X

Poet X

by Acevedo, Elizabeth

Book - 2019

A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo. A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo. Show less

A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo. A young girl in Harlem discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her own relationship to the world. Debut novel of renowned slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

If You Come Softly

If You Come Softly

by Woodson, Jacqueline

Book - 2018

If You Come Softly is about Jeremiah who is fifteen and black and Ellie who is fifteen and white. They meet at a private school and fall in love and then ...Show more If You Come Softly is about Jeremiah who is fifteen and black and Ellie who is fifteen and white. They meet at a private school and fall in love and then have to deal with how society treats them because they’re an interracial couple. It was inspired by a poem by Audre Lorde that begins: "If you come softly / as the wind within the trees/ you may hear what I hear / see what sorrow sees." Show less

If You Come Softly is about Jeremiah who is fifteen and black and Ellie who is fifteen and white. They meet at a private school and fall in love and then ...Show more If You Come Softly is about Jeremiah who is fifteen and black and Ellie who is fifteen and white. They meet at a private school and fall in love and then have to deal with how society treats them because they’re an interracial couple. It was inspired by a poem by Audre Lorde that begins: "If you come softly / as the wind within the trees/ you may hear what I hear / see what sorrow sees." Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

I Am Alfonso Jones

I Am Alfonso Jones

by Medina, Tony

Graphic Novel - 2017

This graphic novel for young readers grapples with the horror and grief caused by police brutality from the perspective of a teenager murdered by a police officer. This graphic novel for young readers grapples with the horror and grief caused by police brutality from the perspective of a teenager murdered by a police officer. Show less

This graphic novel for young readers grapples with the horror and grief caused by police brutality from the perspective of a teenager murdered by a police officer. This graphic novel for young readers grapples with the horror and grief caused by police brutality from the perspective of a teenager murdered by a police officer. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Binti

Binti

by Okorafor, Nnedi

Book - 2015

Binti is Nnedi Okorafor's first story set in space. Not to be missed by fans of the ever-growing ‘Afrofuturism’ genre. Binti is Nnedi Okorafor's first story set in space. Not to be missed by fans of the ever-growing ‘Afrofuturism’ genre. Show less

Binti is Nnedi Okorafor's first story set in space. Not to be missed by fans of the ever-growing ‘Afrofuturism’ genre. Binti is Nnedi Okorafor's first story set in space. Not to be missed by fans of the ever-growing ‘Afrofuturism’ genre. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Long Way Down

Long Way Down

by Reynolds, Jason

Book - 2017

This intense verse novel begins with the 15-year-old narrator speaking directly to the reader: "I haven't / told nobody the story / I'm about to tell...Show more This intense verse novel begins with the 15-year-old narrator speaking directly to the reader: "I haven't / told nobody the story / I'm about to tell you / And truth is, you probably ain't / gon' believe it either / gon' think I'm lying/ or I'm losing it,/ but I'm telling you / this story is true." Show less

This intense verse novel begins with the 15-year-old narrator speaking directly to the reader: "I haven't / told nobody the story / I'm about to tell...Show more This intense verse novel begins with the 15-year-old narrator speaking directly to the reader: "I haven't / told nobody the story / I'm about to tell you / And truth is, you probably ain't / gon' believe it either / gon' think I'm lying/ or I'm losing it,/ but I'm telling you / this story is true." Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Chlorine Sky

Chlorine Sky

by Browne, Mahogany L.

Book - 2021

A novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend. Perfect for readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nikki Grimes. A novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend. Perfect for readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nikki Grimes. Show less

A novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend. Perfect for readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nikki Grimes. A novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend. Perfect for readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nikki Grimes. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give

by Thomas, Angie

Book - 2017

This explosively popular YA novel centers around an act of police brutality from the perspective of a young Black girl whose childhood friend is murdered by a police officer. This explosively popular YA novel centers around an act of police brutality from the perspective of a young Black girl whose childhood friend is murdered by a police officer. Show less

This explosively popular YA novel centers around an act of police brutality from the perspective of a young Black girl whose childhood friend is murdered by a police officer. This explosively popular YA novel centers around an act of police brutality from the perspective of a young Black girl whose childhood friend is murdered by a police officer. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Rebound

Rebound

by Alexander, Kwame

Book - 2018

Rebound is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself. Rebound is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself. Show less

Rebound is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself. Rebound is a stunning coming-of-age novel in verse about basketball, family and staying true to yourself. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Black Girl Magic

Black Girl Magic

by Browne, Mahogany L.

Book - 2018

In this book-length poem, Browne, the cofounder of Brooklyn Slam, chronicles the many injustices, limitations, and stereotypes that Black girls face, leading up to a resounding celebration of Black girlhood and a rejection of all that is harmful. In this book-length poem, Browne, the cofounder of Brooklyn Slam, chronicles the many injustices, limitations, and stereotypes that Black girls face, leading up to a resounding celebration of Black girlhood and a rejection of all that is harmful. Show less

In this book-length poem, Browne, the cofounder of Brooklyn Slam, chronicles the many injustices, limitations, and stereotypes that Black girls face, leading up to a resounding celebration of Black girlhood and a rejection of all that is harmful. In this book-length poem, Browne, the cofounder of Brooklyn Slam, chronicles the many injustices, limitations, and stereotypes that Black girls face, leading up to a resounding celebration of Black girlhood and a rejection of all that is harmful. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Into the Streets

Into the Streets

A Young Person's Visual History of Protest in the United States

by Bieschke, Marke

Book - 2020

A visual primer covering key U.S. protests from 1492 to 2018. A visual primer covering key U.S. protests from 1492 to 2018. Show less

A visual primer covering key U.S. protests from 1492 to 2018. A visual primer covering key U.S. protests from 1492 to 2018. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

March Forward, Girl

March Forward, Girl

From Young Warrior to Little Rock Nine

by Beals, Melba

Book - 2018

In this visceral memoir, journalist and activist Beals, who integrated Central High School as one of the Little Rock Nine, recounts growing up African-American in 1940s Arkansas 'under the umbrella of the rules and traditions of my oppression.' In this visceral memoir, journalist and activist Beals, who integrated Central High School as one of the Little Rock Nine, recounts growing up African-American in 1940s Arkansas 'under the umbrella of the rules and traditions of my oppression.' Show less

In this visceral memoir, journalist and activist Beals, who integrated Central High School as one of the Little Rock Nine, recounts growing up African-American in 1940s Arkansas 'under the umbrella of the rules and traditions of my oppression.' In this visceral memoir, journalist and activist Beals, who integrated Central High School as one of the Little Rock Nine, recounts growing up African-American in 1940s Arkansas 'under the umbrella of the rules and traditions of my oppression.' Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Black Kids

The Black Kids

by Hammonds Reed, Christina

Book - 2020

This coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots. This coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots. Show less

This coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots. This coming-of-age debut novel explores issues of race, class, and violence through the eyes of a wealthy black teenager whose family gets caught in the vortex of the 1992 Rodney King Riots. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

A Song Below Water

A Song Below Water

by Morrow, Bethany C.

Book - 2020

Best friends, Tavia and Effie, struggle to hide their supernatural identities in a society that discriminates against people with their abilities. Best friends, Tavia and Effie, struggle to hide their supernatural identities in a society that discriminates against people with their abilities. Show less

Best friends, Tavia and Effie, struggle to hide their supernatural identities in a society that discriminates against people with their abilities. Best friends, Tavia and Effie, struggle to hide their supernatural identities in a society that discriminates against people with their abilities. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Angel of Greenwood

Angel of Greenwood

by Pink, Randi

Book - 2021

Two Black teenagers, each an outcast, one for being too good and one for being too much trouble, debate the ideas of DuBois and Washington while working on the mobile library in the spring of 1921. Two Black teenagers, each an outcast, one for being too good and one for being too much trouble, debate the ideas of DuBois and Washington while working on the mobile library in the spring of 1921. Show less

Two Black teenagers, each an outcast, one for being too good and one for being too much trouble, debate the ideas of DuBois and Washington while working on the mobile library in the spring of 1921. Two Black teenagers, each an outcast, one for being too good and one for being too much trouble, debate the ideas of DuBois and Washington while working on the mobile library in the spring of 1921. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Dear Martin

Dear Martin

by Stone, Nic

Book - 2017

Writing letters to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., seventeen-year-old college-bound Justyce McAllister struggles to face the reality of race relations today and how they are shaping him. Writing letters to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., seventeen-year-old college-bound Justyce McAllister struggles to face the reality of race relations today and how they are shaping him. Show less

Writing letters to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., seventeen-year-old college-bound Justyce McAllister struggles to face the reality of race relations today and how they are shaping him. Writing letters to the late Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., seventeen-year-old college-bound Justyce McAllister struggles to face the reality of race relations today and how they are shaping him. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Black Enough

Black Enough

Stories of Being Young & Black in America

Book - 2019

A collection of short stories explore what it is like to be young and black, centering on the experiences of black teenagers and emphasizing that one person's experiences, reality, and personal identity are different than someone else. A collection of short stories explore what it is like to be young and black, centering on the experiences of black teenagers and emphasizing that one person's experiences, reality, and personal identity are different than someone else. Show less

A collection of short stories explore what it is like to be young and black, centering on the experiences of black teenagers and emphasizing that one person's experiences, reality, and personal identity are different than someone else. A collection of short stories explore what it is like to be young and black, centering on the experiences of black teenagers and emphasizing that one person's experiences, reality, and personal identity are different than someone else. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Somebody Give This Heart A Pen

Somebody Give This Heart A Pen

by Thakur, Sophia

Book - 2020

A spoken word artist makes here powerful written debut. A spoken word artist makes here powerful written debut. Show less

A spoken word artist makes here powerful written debut. A spoken word artist makes here powerful written debut. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

This Book Is Anti-racist

This Book Is Anti-racist

by Jewell, Tiffany

Book - 2020

Gives young people the words and tools to confront racism. Gives young people the words and tools to confront racism. Show less

Gives young people the words and tools to confront racism. Gives young people the words and tools to confront racism. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

One of the Good Ones

One of the Good Ones

by Moulite, Maika

Book - 2021

After her sister Kezi dies at the hands of police, Happi and her other sister Genny take a road trip using the original Green Book and discover Kezi held some secrets. After her sister Kezi dies at the hands of police, Happi and her other sister Genny take a road trip using the original Green Book and discover Kezi held some secrets. Show less

After her sister Kezi dies at the hands of police, Happi and her other sister Genny take a road trip using the original Green Book and discover Kezi held some secrets. After her sister Kezi dies at the hands of police, Happi and her other sister Genny take a road trip using the original Green Book and discover Kezi held some secrets. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

The Awakening of Malcolm X

The Awakening of Malcolm X

by Shabazz, Ilyasah

Book - 2021

While in Charlestown Prison in the 1940s, young Malcolm Little reads all the books in the library, joins the debate team and the Nation of Islam, and emerges as Malcolm X. While in Charlestown Prison in the 1940s, young Malcolm Little reads all the books in the library, joins the debate team and the Nation of Islam, and emerges as Malcolm X. Show less

While in Charlestown Prison in the 1940s, young Malcolm Little reads all the books in the library, joins the debate team and the Nation of Islam, and emerges as Malcolm X. While in Charlestown Prison in the 1940s, young Malcolm Little reads all the books in the library, joins the debate team and the Nation of Islam, and emerges as Malcolm X. Show less

Available in some locations

Place hold

Add to My For Later Shelf On my shelf

Powered by BiblioCommons.

BiblioCore: app09 Version 9.17.0 Last updated 2023/09/21 11:28

[]

[]

To Top