Beginner's Guide to Afrofuturism & Speculative Fiction for Kids & Tweens!Like this list

19 items

• Hidden Figures

  the True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

  Shetterly, Margot Lee,

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  This book celebrates the inspiring story of four African American mathematicians – Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden – whose brilliant minds propelled America's early space missions despite facing intense racial…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Last Last-day-of-summer

  Giles, Lamar, 1979-

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  This story follows the adventures of Otto and Sheed Alston, two cousins in a vibrant, fantastical version of rural Virginia, who find themselves battling a villain intent on freezing time and ending their summer vacation forever. The concept of time…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Look Up With Me

  Neil deGrasse Tyson : a Life Among the Stars

  Berne, Jennifer,

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  Look Up With Me celebrates the curiosity and wonder of renowned astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson as he explores the cosmos. It inspires young readers to embrace scientific exploration and envision their place in the universe. By highlighting the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Shuri

  Defender of Wakanda

  Afram, Pamela,

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  written by best-selling Afrofuturist author Nnedi Okorafor, Shuri's story plunges readers into the heart of Afrofuturism, showcasing a technologically advanced Wakanda that exists without the intervention of Western colonialism. When the Black…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur. BFF

  Montclare, Brandon,

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  The series centers around Lunella, a brilliant young Black girl from the Lower East Side of New York, who is recognized as the smartest person in the Marvel Universe. Her story embraces the spirit of Afrofuturism by incorporating Lunella's…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ikenga

  Okorafor, Nnedi

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  Essentially, Ikenga showcases Africanfuturism by grounding a superhero origin story in contemporary Nigeria, integrating Igbo cultural elements, and exploring relevant societal challenges through a blend of fantasy and reality.

• Maya and the Rising Dark

  Barron, Rena,

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  This book offers a fun and action-packed adventure that not only entertains but also contributes to the rich tapestry of Afrofuturism, providing a powerful and imaginative vision of Black futures rooted in a strong sense of cultural heritage and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Jupiter Storm

  Dumas, Marti,

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  Jupiter Storm uses the framework of a children's story to subtly explore themes of imagination, the intersection of race and technology, and the power of individual agency in creating a better future - all central tenets of the Afrofuturist…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Race to Fire Mountain

  Blackwood, Remi,

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  The novel centers on Jarrell, a young boy who feels like an outsider in his everyday life but finds solace in drawing fantastical landscapes and powerful figures inspired by African mythology. The story takes an unexpected turn when Jarrell…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The City We Became

  Jemisin, N. K.,

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  "The City We Became" is an urban fantasy deeply connected with Afrofuturist themes and perspectives. The novel presents New York City as a sentient entity. It is personified by avatars representing the five boroughs: Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, The…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Mae Among the Stars

  Ahmed, Roda, 1981-

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  Afrofuturism envisions futures where African-descended people and their cultures are central to the creation of that world. Mae Among the Stars exemplifies this by showcasing a young Black girl with a dream to explore the cosmos at a time when such…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Malice in Ovenland. Vol. #1

  Hess, Micheline,

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  This graphic novel is a work of speculative fiction that blends fantasy and adventure. Similar to Alice in Wonderland, Lilly Brown tumbles into a fantastical world hidden behind her oven called Ovenland. In Ovenland, creatures called Oven Frites…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky

  Mbalia, Kwame

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  The novel draws heavily from African American folktales and West African mythology, transporting protagonist Tristan to a parallel world, Alke, where these stories come alive and Black characters are central to shaping their own destinies and the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Cosmo-biography of Sun Ra

  the Sound of Joy Is Enlightening

  Raschka, Christopher

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  Sun Ra, a trailblazer in music and thought, is widely considered a pivotal figure in the development of Afrofuturism. He claimed to have come from Saturn and developed a unique cosmology that envisioned a brighter future for Black people on Earth.…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Root Magic

  Royce, Eden,

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  Through the lens of rootwork and Gullah Geechee heritage, Root Magic becomes a testament to the resilience and strength of Black communities, reimagining and reclaiming their history and present for a more liberated future.

• The Doctor With An Eye for Eyes

  the Story of Dr. Patricia Bath

  Mosca, Julia Finley,

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  This book tells the inspiring true story of Dr. Patricia Bath, a pioneering Black female ophthalmologist whose unwavering vision for a healthier future. Facing discrimination and obstacles in a society that often sought to limit her, Dr. Bath's…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Flood City

  Older, Daniel José,

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  This title serves as an Afrofuturist narrative by employing speculative fiction to address environmental and social inequalities, explore themes of resistance and resilience, and create a unique world that incorporates elements of Black culture and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Cool. Awkward. Black

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  This anthology heavily features themes associated with speculative fiction, including elements of science fiction, fantasy, and the magical. Stories like “The Panel Shows the Girl” by Amanda Joy feature a girl whose drawings come to life, while…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Ninth Ward

  Rhodes, Jewell Parker

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  By blending the harsh realities of a natural disaster with the fantastical abilities of its characters, Ninth Ward offers a powerful narrative about survival, resilience, and the enduring spirit of a community facing unimaginable challenges, echoing…Read moreRead more of this annotation