African-American literature descends from a heritage of oral tradition and storytelling. Uncle Remus, published in 1881 by Joel Chandler Harris, is a collection of children's allegories told by slaves. Into the 20th century, the Harlem Renaissance and civil rights movement produced prolific and highly acclaimed authors and poets such as W.E.B. Dubois, Zora Neale Hurston and Langston Hughes.
African-American books for teens are about African-American people and culture. They are written for a reading level of middle school age or lower. They also cover a wide array of themes but focus on issues of racial identity as well as heritage, family, notions of beauty, violence and poverty.
African-American books for teens fall into a number of genres, including youth novels ("The First Part Last" by Angela Johnson), historical fiction ("Copper Sun" by Sharon M. Draper), short stories ("Her Stories" by Virginia Hamilton), poetry ("Phenomenal Woman" by Maya Angelou), self-help ("The African American Guide to Personal Growth, Health, Safety, Sex and Survival: Living and Learning in the 21st Century" by Leland Johnson, Jr.), and how-to ("Born Beautiful: The African American Teenager's Complete Beauty Guide" by Alfred Fornay).
When selecting appropriate African American books for teens, consider the genre, the teen's age, ethical and moral implications, and reviews and awards.
In 1970, the American Library Association began giving the Coretta Scott King Book Award. Named for the civil rights activist and wife of Martin Luther King, Jr., this award honors writers and illustrators of African-American youth literature.