Four Compelling Books Honour Black Experiences

By Yolanda Marshall

These books share powerful stories that honour history, courage, identity, and resilience. A Song for Juneteenth stands out for its lyrical style, while A Brave New Beginning: The Story of KJ follows an inspiring journey. If you want to learn more about history, The Wismar Massacre offers an important look at Guyanese history, trauma, and healing. Between Classes explores migration, belonging, love, and social class in the Jamaican Canadian community. If you appreciate diverse voices and stories that encourage reflection and hope, these books are well worth adding to your reading list.

A Song for Juneteenth

Written by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Noa Denmon.

“This emotional and lyrical picture book by acclaimed poet Zetta Elliott celebrates the importance of Juneteenth as well as the resilience of Black families and the power of community, featuring stunning illustrations from Caldecott Honoree Noa Denmon. From birth to beyond, from slavery to freedom, and from generation to generation, this powerful and evocative book shows the breadth and depth of Black history, from the creative duo behind A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart, which won a Caldecott Honor.” – Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, May 2026.

A Brave New Beginning: The Story of KJ

Written by Kevin David Dixon.

“Step into a story of courage, faith, and bold new beginnings. In A Brave New Beginning: The Story of KJ, young KJ’s world shifts from the warm shores of St. Kitts to the unfamiliar halls of a new school in the U.S. Virgin Islands—and beyond to the bright lights of Washington, D.C. Along the way, he faces shyness, uncertainty, and the fear of the unknown. But with faith, family, and determination, KJ discovers that every challenge is an opportunity to grow stronger and dream bigger. This uplifting story reminds young readers that even the biggest changes can lead to the most extraordinary adventures—and that God’s plan for their lives is greater than they can imagine. Perfect for dreamers, overcomers, and future leaders ready to step into their own brave new beginnings.” – Independently publishing. Sept. 2025.

  The Wismar Massacre: A case of ethnic cleansing of Indians in Guyana

Written by Baytoram Ramharack.

“Baytoram Ramharack brings together an impressive two decades of archival research, transnational government and media document recovery, eyewitness accounts and oral testimonies, and legal and philosophical arguments to craft a gripping and sorrowful postcolonial narrative of trauma, memory, and loss that argues convincingly for the human rights framework of “ethnic cleansing” of Indo-Guyanese Wismar villagers in 1964. With a commendable focus on the voices of victims, especially women, this meticulously researched historiographic work calls for the un-silencing of “silenced history” and ultimately for clear-eyed examinations of the Guyanese past and the complex social, economic, cultural, and political relationships between Indo- and Afro-Guyanese, in the hopes of national healing.” – Independently publishing. March 2026.

Between Classes        

Written by Angelot Ndongmo.

“When 18-year-old Derell moves from Jamaica to Toronto to live with his father, he leaves behind his girlfriend and sick mother and steps into a world he doesn’t recognize. At his new and very elite high school, Derell meets Amina, a gifted dancer, and the two click. But Amina is caught between her heart and her family’s demands to date within their wealthy circle. That circle includes Malik, a flashy aspiring rapper who sees Derell as competition both in music and in love. Balancing the pressure of fitting in, clashes with Malik, and his father’s new family, Derell must decide whether to try to join in with the world of Amina’s family and friends, all obsessed with money and status. This is a story that reflects the tensions within the Jamaican Canadian community where barriers of social class and status play out among both teens and adults.” – Lorimer, 2026.

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