This blog post is part of the Woodson Project—a series of events, posts, and book lists on subjects including empowering Black families, amplifying Black voices, exploring Black identity and intersectionality, and discovering Black influencers in STEAM. The project was created by branch staff from across NYPL to honor Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who in 1926 created Negro History Week—the precursor to Black History Month.

The Library has a wealth of biographies and nonfiction books about Black innovators in STEAM fields that you can find in our list of Black History STEAM books. But we also recognize the power of an amazing story, and wanted to highlight a few fictional titles for Young Adults with Black dancers, artists, DJs, doctors, and more. There are so many amazing protagonists who are pursuing their passions and using technology, art, and science to change their world. Here are a few of our favorite YA fiction reads featuring characters related to STEAM fields.

Clap When You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo 

Camino lives in the Dominican Republic with her tia and Yahaira lives in New York City with her mother. They don’t know each other, but a devastating death breaks open their connection to one another.

 

 

 

 

Every Body Looking by Candice Iloh 

A coming of age in verse, Ada—an incoming college freshman—struggles under familial and cultural expectations. Her love for the art is stifled under her father’s strict rules, but in finding herself, she finds that dance can lead the way to her future.

 

 

 

 

Felix Ever After by Kacen Callendar 

Felix, a transgender 17 year old, planned to spend his summer perfecting his portrait paintings at his elite art school in Brooklyn and hanging out with his best friend Ezra. When he becomes the victim of transphobic bullying, however, he decides he wants revenge. Felix’s feelings begin to change when catfishing his school rival lands him in a quasi-love triangle.

 

 

 

 

Ironheart by Eve Ewing 

When one of Spiderman’s old enemies holds a group of world leaders hostage, Riri Williams finds herself torn between her superhero duties and her M.I.T. responsibilities. She’s even more thrown off when someone she knows from Chicago re-enters her life, and when an old friend is kidnapped she realizes that the world needs Ironheart to take action! With her suit of armor, a new A.I. system, and a strong will, Riri rises to the challenge and makes a name for herself as a powerful superhero!

 

 

 

Let Me Hear a Rhyme by Tiffany Jackson

When Quadir and Jarrell's best friend is killed, they are determined that his music lives on. With the help of Steph’s younger sister, the trio put out his mixtapes under the pseudonym, “The Architect.” When a music rep take notice, and in not a good way, the three must figure out a solution to their problem while confronting the truth about Steph’s murder.

 

 

 

 

On the Come Up by Angie Thomas 

Bri has big shoes to fill. Her father was a rap legend before his life was cut short, and Bri wants to become one of the biggest rappers in the world. When one of her raps go viral, her words and emotions are given new definitions by others who don’t understand the life she lives in, and are scared by her Blackness. Bri is not one to back down from challenges, and while the road to stardom is narrow, it’s not impossible.

 

 

 

Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam 

Amal Shahid has always been drawn to art and poetry, but his talents do nothing to change how others perceive him. Many at his school stereotype him as being uninterested and disruptive, and that reputation is made worse one night when Amal has a confrontation with another guy in a gentrified neighborhood. Suddenly, at sixteen years old, he finds his life completely altered when he is convicted of a crime he didn’t commit. While in prison, Amal is enraged by the injustice he’s faced, but he turns to a more creative outlet of art, which allows him to maintain his sense of self and to fight for the truth in a system that targets both.

 

 

Shuri: Volume 1 The Search for Black Panther by Nnedi Okorafor 

When Black Panther and Manifold disappear into a wormhole, it is up to Shuri, technology scientist, to lead Wakanda. Unfortunately, she is more comfortable being in her lab, than being responsible for a country. Shuri goes on an adventure to find her brother with a little help from some friends.

 

 

 

 

Slay by Brittany Morris 

Kiera Johnson lives two lives. She is an honor student by day, a gamer by night. Not only is she a gamer, she is the creator of SLAY, a multi-player RPG for Black gamers. When a horrific incident occurs because of SLAY, Kiera finds herself in the center of a huge backlash. As her lives collide, can Kiera hold onto a world that celebrates Blackness, in a world that disapproves of it?

 

 

 

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson 

Liz Lighty has always felt out of place in her small town in Indiana, but she has a plan to attend the elite Pennington College, and escape her hometown forever. When her plan falls through, she realizes that as prom queen, she could receive a financial scholarship, and despite her aversion to attention, her determination is stronger. The only thing giving her a little light is the new girl Mack, but Mack is also in the running for queen. Will Liz’s crush smash her dreams or make it all come true?

 

 

 

Written in collaboration with teen librarian Sarah Sculnick, Kips Bay Library

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Have trouble reading standard print? Many of these titles are available in formats for patrons with print disabilities.

Summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.