The Brown Bookshelf members aren’t only dedicated to shining the light on authors and illustrators of color writing for children, we are writers and illustrators of children’s literature. 

Young Adult Fiction

By Varian Johnson
For ages 12+

My Life As A Rhombus
“Without a bit of preaching, Varian Johnson gives us a story of two teenage girls who are faced with the consequences of unplanned pregnancies. Teens will love the emotional peaks and valleys of the tale and be gratified by the conclusion.” - Ellen Wittlinger, author of Hard Love

“…there’s wry humor here, and the sometimes raw dialogue is well done.” - Booklist 

“[Johnson] has captured the struggles of teen girls perfectly…” - TeensReadToo, Five Star Review, Gold Award for Excellence

Red Polka Dot In A World Full of Plaid
Essence Bestseller (March, 2006)

“An enjoyable coming-of-age story of headstrong, sarcastic and vulnerable Maxine Phillips…I would recommend this book to the teen and young adult readers.” - APOOO Bookclub

The Del Rio Bay Clique Series
By Paula Chase
For ages 12+

“Surprisingly real and deep…well worth reading.” – Teens Read Too

“Contemporary friendship story, which revels in rich diversity of race, color, and class.”
—Booklist

“With humor and a clear eye, Maryland author Paula Chase sees straight to the heart of today’s teen culture.”
  —Washington Parent, February ‘08

By Carla Sarratt
For ages 12+

Freshman Focus
“The infusion of important dates and facts in Black History, leadership quotes and real high school experiences make this an easy-to-relate-to narrative.” - Delta Reviewer

“Adults and teenagers will enjoy Freshman Focus: Carter G. Woodson High School .” - APOOO Bookclub

Middle Grade Fiction

By Kelly Starling Lyons
For ages 9-12

NEATE: Eddie’s Ordeal

“The talk is casual and contemporary, and readers will like the family drama as well as the warmth among friends and the realistic view of failure and success.” - Booklist

“Compelling and touching story of a father and son who are struggling to understand each other.” - Ebony Magazine

Picture Books

By Kelly Starling Lyons
For ages 4-8

One Million Men and Me

CCBC Choices 2008
Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s best-of-the-year list

“The tone is strongly inspirational, and Ambush’s realistic double-page spreads, which make particularly good use of close-ups, portray the child and her daddy against the big scenes of the crowds “united and strong.” - Booklist

“Kelly Starling Lyons has crafted an endearing tale that immediately brings to focus the significance of The Million Man March. The story is told from an unexpected perspective, yet fully captures the spirit of the day which was the empowerment of black men.” - RAWSISTAZ Reviewers

Books Illustrated by Don Tate

The Hidden Feast
  “…Tate’s lushly painted acrylics capture the animals at their silliest and rooster at his sulkiest. This mostly literary retelling is filled with contemporary cliches and incorporates the motifs and plot structure of the traditional African-American tale. Fun for telling or reading…”
-Kirkus

Summer Sun Risin’
The National Christian School Association’s ‘04-05 Children’s Crown Gallery Award nominee

“Sunny acrylic and oil paintings on textured paper coupled with verses featuring colloquial language portray a summer day in the life of a hardworking African American farm family.” - Kirkus Reviews

Sure As Sunrise
“The animal characters in human clothes are reminiscent of puppets in the big, clear oil-and-acrylic illustrations; their body language and exaggerated expressions are wonderful as they question, scheme, rage, and–sometimes–outwit the powerful.” Starred review by Booklist

Black All Around
“The artist does a good job varying the settings, supplying both fantasy and homelike backdrops that incorporate the images from the text.” - Publishers Weekly