10 Diverse Books by YA Authors of Color to Read in 2017
It’s no secret that representation is a big topic in the bookish community. From hashtags like #WeNeedDiverseBooks, founded by Ellen Oh, to #OwnVoices, founded by Corinne Duyvis, writers, agents, and publishers alike have been spreading awareness of how important it is to not only see an accurate depiction of yourself reflected in books, but to read about marginalized characters WRITTEN BY marginalized people.
Books written for us, by us, can help eliminate misconceptions and stereotypes in stories. On the flip side, books written for the marginalized, by the marginalized, can add a certain something that someone on the outside may not be able to capture, whether it be a dialect, a personal incident, or a cultural reference. A young person able to see themselves represented in a book helps them realize that they are not alone in the way that they look, feel, believe, and love.
Although there’s still a long way to go, strides are being made — and 2017 is already set to include majorly buzzed-about titles from a number of female authors of color. Some are debut authors; others, veterans in the writer world. What ties them together? All have written books that feature protagonists you'll see yourself in immediately. Whether the stories focus on the Black Lives Matter movement (created by Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi), police brutality, immigration, or girls of color living their relatable, honest, messy, and magic lives, there’s something special to be found in the months and pages ahead.