10 Black YA Books Debuting in 2022! (Jan-June)

We've compiled 10 AMAZING young adult books by Black authors debuting from January to June! From horror and contemporary to mystery and romance, these books will keep you on the edge of your seat. We can't wait to read them, what are you waiting for?!

AND WE RISE by Erica Martin  Viking Childrens (2/01/22)
AND WE RISE is a powerful, impactful, eye-opening journey that explores through the Civil Rights Movement in 1950s-1960s America in spare and evocative verse, with historical photos interspersed throughout. The entire book is written in poetry. This is the only poetry book on the list. Also LOOK at this cover! It's BEAUTIFUL! All the different shades of black skin!

​https://www.22debuts.com/erica-martin.html

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REQUIRED READING FOR THE DISENFRANCHISED FRESHMAN by Kristen R. Lee Random House Kids (2/01/22)
A striking debut novel about racism on elite college campuses. Fans of Dear White People will embrace this activist-centered contemporary novel about a college freshman grappling with the challenges of attending an elite university with a disturbing racist history--that may not be as distant as it seems. A black girl at an ivy league college, calling out the racism imbedded in its history. What more do we need?
https://www.22debuts.com/kristen-r-lee.html

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YOU TRULY ASSUMED by Laila Sabreen Inkyard Press (2/08/22)
In this compelling and thought-provoking debut novel, after a terrorist attack rocks the country and anti-Islamic sentiment stirs, three Black Muslim girls create a space where they can shatter assumptions and share truths. I personally read and enjoyed this book.

​https://www.22debuts.com/laila-sabreen.html

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DAUGHTERS OF A DEAD EMPIRE by Carolyn Tara O'Neil Macmillan (2/22/2022)
Daughters of a Dead Empire is a harrowing historical thriller about dangerous ideals, loyalty, and the price we pay for change. An imaginative retelling of the Anastasia story. We can never have enough Anastasia retellings!!

​https://www.22debuts.com/carolyn-tara-oneil.html

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TURNING by Joy L Smith Simon and Schuster/Millner (3/01/22)
In this raw, searingly honest debut young adult novel, a former aspiring ballerina must confront her past in order to move forward from a devastating fall that leaves her without the use of her legs. REPRESENTATION! We don't see a lot of black dancers (esp ballet) at the forefront.

​https://www.22debuts.com/joy-l-smith.html

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BLOOD SCION by Deborah Falaye (3/08/2022)
Following one girl’s journey of magic, injustice, power, and revenge, this deeply felt and emotionally charged debut from Deborah Falaye, inspired by Yoruba-Nigerian mythology, is a magnetic combination of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin and Daughter of Smoke and Bone that will utterly thrill and capture readers. The cover is GORGEOUS.

​https://www.22debuts.com/deborah-falaye.html

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HUNT A KILLER: PERFECT SCORE by A.M. Ellis/Angelica Monai Scholastic (4/05/2022)
It’s time to HUNT A KILLER in this YA mystery series based on the bestselling subscription game.

https://www.22debuts.com/angelica-monai.html

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LOVE RADIO by Ebony LaDelle Penguin Random House (5/31/2022)
Hitch meets The Sun Is Also a Star in this witty and romantic teen novel about a self-professed teen love doctor with a popular radio segment who believes he can get a girl who hates all things romance to fall in love with him in only three dates. This is at the top of my TBR!

​https://www.22debuts.com/ebony-ladelle.html

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DEEP IN PROVIDENCE by Riss M. Neilson Macmillan(5/31/22) 
Three friends try and bring back another friend from the dead using magic. (BIPOC/LGBTQ REP!)

​​https://www.22debuts.com/riss-m-neilson.html

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THE BLACK GIRLS LEFT STANDING by Juliana Goodman Release Feiwel & Friends (6/28/2022)
MYSTERY!!! MC tries to solve the mystery of her sister's murder (who was killed by a police officer) by teaming up with her sister's boyfriend.

​https://www.22debuts.com/juliana-goodman.html

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Curated by: Charity Alyse
​Posted by: Damyanti Biswas