It’s time for another Generations Book Club lineup and I can’t believe how fast the summer is flying by. Some of us are already thinking about back-to-school. Some of us are trying to squeeze in a little more summer vacation time before we return to our normal routines in September. But all of us could use a few more sweet summer reads to get us through the last few days of warmth before the leaves begin to fall.
From picture books to middle-grade, YA to adult, we have outstanding reads for everyone in the family.
If you’d like to purchase copies of any of our picks, click on the covers below.
Our mission for Generations is to raise awareness of Black children’s book creators, nurture literacy skills, foster community and show that Black books are in demand. You can help us do that by spreading the word, posting reviews of our featured books, and reading.
We appreciate your support.
So, let’s get into it!
PICTURE BOOK
Renee Watson’s SUMMER IS HERE is a sweet ode to all the best things that happen in the summer.
Praise:
“The stunning combination of Watson’s poetic text with Jackson’s delightful illustrations make this an ideal selection for both group read-alouds and one-on-one sharing. Highly recommended for purchase.” —School Library Journal, starred review
“An utterly immersive celebration of the boundless joys of summer–may they never end!” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
“Just about everything readers could wish for from a summer day. The text and pictures are a feast for the senses.” —Booklist
MIDDLE GRADE
Not into reading a whole novel? How about a collection of short stories? BLACK BOY JOY edited by Kwame Mbalia has plenty to please.
Praise:
“Luminous . . . Filtering perennial subjects such as friendships, gender identity, and family through the lenses of magic, science, space travel, superheroes, and more, this is an exuberant celebration of carefree Black experiences; while it will especially resonate with Black readers, any reader will appreciate how this genre-bending collection expands the horizons of what joy for Black boys can be.”–Publishers Weekly, starred review
“This book is a must-have in every collection for its variety of topics and its celebration of Black boyhood in all its forms.”–School Library Journal, starred review
YOUNG ADULT
Bethany Morrow’s A SONG BENEATH WATER was as surprising as it was riveting. This fantasy kept me turning the pages.
Praise:
“Morrow expertly and smartly explores race, bigotry, oppression, and injustice against a backdrop of ordinary life with a dose of the supernatural added to the mix. A Song Below Water is a must-read for lovers of fantasy and contemporary stories alike.”–Booklist, starred review
ADULT
What’s summer without a little romance? CURVY GIRL SUMMMER by Danielle Allen is a very spicy read.
Praise:
Bridget Jones’s Diary meets Survival of the Thickest in Danielle Allen’s CURVY GIRL SUMMER, a smoking-hot, hilarious novel about the perils of online dating.
“A scorcher — high spice, high laughter, and fat positive.”
— The Boston Globe
“Danielle Allen hooks the reader from page one and never lets go!”
–Brittainy Cherry, International Bestselling Author
“A fat-positive romance that blends the witty repartee of a buddy comedy with sexual tension.”
–Kirkus Reviews, starred review