Middle School

Berkeley Unified School District's Black Lives Matter Resolution is intended to highlight, uplift and affirm the rich history and contributions of the Black community; to cultivate in Black students a sense of pride, self-worth, and self-love; and to develop a widespread acknowledgement and appreciation for the contributions of Black people to our community.

These reading lists, organized by grade level, represent books published within the last three years that are devoted to cultivating Black joy, pride and love, and celebrating the incredible contributions and history of the Black community.

Across the Tracks: Remembering Greenwood, Black Wall Street, and the Tulsa Race Massacre by Alverne Ball
Genre: Nonfiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2021
Ain't Burned All the Brightby Jason Reynolds
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Illustrated Novel in Verse
Published: 2022
Audiobook available
Ashes of Gold (Wings of Ebony #2)by J. Elle
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2022
Aniana Del Mar Jumps Inby Jaminne Mendez
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Novella in Verse
Published: 2023
Audiobook available
Barely Floatingby Lilliam Rivera
Genre: Realistic / Sports Fiction 
Published: 2023
Becoming (for young readers) by Michelle Obama
Genre: Nonfiction/Memoir
Published: 2021
Black Girl You Are Atlasby Renée Watson
Genre: Poetry
Published: 2024
Capriceby Coe Booth
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2022
Audiobook available
Call Him Jackby Yohuru Williams & Michael G. Long
Genre: Biography
Published: 2022
Control Freaksby J.E. Thomas
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2023


Duelby Jessixa Bagley
Genre: Realistic / Sports Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2023

The Door of No Returnby Kwame Alexander
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Novel in Verse
Published: 2022
Audiobook available
The Gripby Marcus Stroman
Genre: Sports Fiction
Published: 2023
Handsby Torrey Madonado
Genre: Sports Fiction
Published: 2023
Inheritance: A Visual Poemby Elizabeth Acevedo
Genre: Illustrated Poetry
Published: 2022
Audiobook available
Legacy: Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes
Genre: Poetry
Published: 2022
Miles Morales: Suspendedby Jason Reynolds
Genre: Superhero Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2023
Audiobook available
Rain Risingby Courtne Comrie
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Novel in Verse
Published: 2022
Remember Usby Jacqueline Woodson
Genre: Historical Fiction /Sports Fiction
Published: 2023
Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the Peopleby Kekla Magoon
Genre: Nonfiction
Published: 2022
Audiobook available
Salsa Magicby Letisha Marrero
Genre: Fantasy / Sports Fiction
Published: 2023
Audiobook available
Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Huntingby Roseanne A. Brown
Genre: Fantasy
Published: 2022
Shot Clockby Caron Butler & Justin A. Reynolds
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2023


Something to Sayby Lisa Moore Ramée
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2021
Audiobook available
Stamped (for kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
Genre: Nonfiction
Published: 2021
Audiobook available
Swim Teamby Johnnie Christmas
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Format: Graphic Novel
Published: 2022

Treasure Island: Runaway Goldby Jewell Parker Rhodes
Genre: Adventure / Mystery / Retold Classic
Published: 2023

Unfadeableby Maurice Broaddus
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Published: 2022
Audiobook available
We Were the Fire: Birmingham 1963by Shelia P. Moses
Genre: Historical Fiction
Published: 2022
Audiobook available

When Winter Robeson Cameby Brenda Woods
Genre: Historical Fiction
Format: Novel in Verse
Published: 2022
Audiobook available

How do I read these books?

Many of these books are available through Berkeley school libraries as a physical and/or ebook. For more information about any of these books, or to check one of them out, ask your school librarian.

For more information and instructions on accessing ebooks and audiobooks, visit our Digital Books page.

At a time when so many small businesses are struggling to keep their doors open, we also encourage folks to support our local bookstores: 

Ashay by the Bay, Bandung Books, Eastwind Books, Marcus Books, Moe’s Books, Mr. Mopps, Books Inc., Pegasus Books and Mrs. Dalloways.