It’s always a great time to support black authors, and it just so happens that three new books by black young adult authors are out today. These stories tell alluring tales of mermaids, magic, royals, high school, sisterhood, and more. Check them out below!

A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow is a modern fantasy about black mermaids, friendship, and self-discovery with an all-too-familiar backdrop of racism and sexism. Three best friends must navigate through the challenges of high school, which happen to include hiding siren powers and fighting literal demons. In a world where nothing seems safe, Tavia and Effie’s sisterhood proves to be the strongest magic of all.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson tells the story of Liz Lighty, who has always believed she was too different to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. When the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz’s ambitions come crashing down — until she remembers that her school gives a scholarship for prom king and queen. A new girl in school throws some competition her way, and to make things even more complicated, Liz finds herself falling for the new girl.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Roseanne A. Brown is a fantasy duology inspired by West African folklore. It follows a grieving crown princess and a desperate refugee who are on a course to murder each other despite their growing attraction. There’s ancient magic, royal marriages, and life-or-death competitions.

All three books are available on Amazon and Kindle now. You can also check your local bookstores.

About the author

Jackie Cucco

Jackie Cucco

Jackie Cucco was a Senior Editor of The Toy Book, The Toy Insider, and The Pop Insider. She covered toy trends, pop culture, and entertainment news, and made appearances on national and regional outlets, including CBS, WPIX, News 12, and more. Jackie spends her time watching horror movies and working her way through every Stephen King novel out there.

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