Recs if you like Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry...

Classic books by U.S. BIPOC/fem/LGBTQIA Authors. Inspired by my post in US classic lit quest, I wanted a place to share all the wonderful recommendations by the PB community from the forum! 'Classic' refers to enduring, high-quality works that have stood the test of time, featuring universal themes, memorable characters, and artistic merit that remain relevant and insightful about the human condition across generations, often studied for their cultural significance and literary excellence.

Combo of new and older fiction written by talented Black and African writers ranging from adult to YA to middle grade. Thriller, fantasy, literary fiction and everything in between!

Feel free to make suggestions!

Books that were adapted into movies (not tv shows). Let's make this list as long as possible!

(going to only add the first book in a series)

From the light-hearted, to the silly, to the thought-provoking. Genres ranging from contemporary, to historical fiction, to fantasy.

The books your teacher made you read between the ages of 11-14. They changed the way you saw the world, they made you realize books were more than just goofy or sentimental stories you gobbled up before bedtime, and they stuck with you, all these years later.

Suggestions welcome, especially from non-American readers!!

Note: this list was made by a Millennial, so I'd love to hear from some different generations! What did your teachers assign you?

Keeping up with the 700+ books featured on Overdue since 2013

According to the ALA, "The Newbery Medal was named for eighteenth-century British bookseller John Newbery. It is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

classic literature for children that's worth reading as an adult

Complete as of August 2026.

African American literature (novels, poetry, short stories, and essay collections)

The BBC’s 100 Greatest Children’s Books of All Time as published in May 2023.

Books which document women’s lives throughout a century of change

Other items used: "Grammar 5 Set" (includes "Grammar 5 Answer Guide and Resources" and "Grammar 5 Activity Sheets"), "Extra Language Arts E Student Activity Sheets", "Extra Science E Student Activity Sheets", "Discover & Do: Level E Experiments Paper Packet", "Discover & Do: Science Supplies Kit E", "Timeline Figures E", "Science E Instructor's Guide", "Language Arts E", "History/Bible/Literature E Instructor's Guide", "Songs About America", "Sing the Word: The Heavens Declare", "Discover & Do: Level E Science Experiments", "Discover & Do: Level E Science Experiment Videos", "Math-U-See Fraction Overlay Kit", "MUS5 Epsilon Online Instruction with Video", "Markable Map", "Markers", "3" Binder with Tabs" and "The Timeline Book".

Options for Novel Studies for 6th Grade

Winners of the award for "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children."