[MTOR Posts: 17 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Hi All:



I asked a variation of this question in another thread and got great answers, so I thought I'd ask it again with a twist.


Doe anyone know of any Quirky MG Books where the main MC is Black?  In a classroom type setting?  Or mostly classroom setting?  I know some of the books listed below have Black characters, but I am looking for the main MC to be Black.  I cant think of any.


The books that everyone came up with in the last thread were:


-Louis Sachar's Wayside Books
-Dan Gutmans's My Weird School series
-Barbara Robinson's books
-I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb
-Wendelin Van Draanen's Shredderman Series
-Tom Angleberger's Origami Yoda books
-Frindle by Andrew Clements
-The Wednesday Wars by Gary Schmidt


Thank you.

[Barbara Etlin Posts: 2,255 Status: Offline WWW]

A new book that I haven't read, but that I think has a black male MC and sounds quirky, is THE GREAT GREENE HEIST by Varian Johnson.

[Kell Posts: 1,202 Status: Offline On the other hand WWW]

The True Meaning of Smekday is quirky and has a biracial female MC, but it's not a classroom-set book. Sage Carrington, Eighth-Grade Science Sleuth, is a classroom-set book with a Black female MC, but I haven't read it so I don't know if it's quirky. I wish I could think of more titles -- there are not enough to choose from. #weneeddiversebooks

[J-Bert Posts: 257 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm reading GREAT GREENE HEIST right now and the MC is black (per the cover, at least, it's not really a character detail that's devoted much attention in the story). I don't know that I'd call the whole book quirky, but it's funny and interesting and has some quirky bits.

Another one to look into might be HOW LAMAR'S BAD PRANK WON A BUBBA-SIZED TROPHY.

[MTOR Posts: 17 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

May I just say that you all are awesome.
 :


I have not heard of these books, but will definitely be checking them out.  And yes Kell, #weneeddiversebooks

[KeithM Posts: 55 Status: Offline WWW]

I'm going to reach far into the past, but it's definitely quirky, school's an important part of the book, and anyway I just love it: The Planet of Junior Brown by Virginia Hamilton.

Also, The Broken Bike Boy and the Queen of 33rd Street by Sharon Flake. Much newer.   

[MysteryRobin Posts: 690 Status: Offline]

This list might help you:
http://shakerlibrary.bibliocommons.com/list/show/98187073_shakeryouthlibrarians/146742408_middle_grade_fiction_featuring_african-american_boys_as_main_characters

[Rachel Posts: 202 Status: Offline WWW]

Quirkiness level may vary (also some are early chapter books, but I figured they are close to the level of the My Weird School books)

The EllRay Jakes books by Sally Warner
Dyamonde Daniel by Nikki Grimes
Nikki and Deja by Karen English
President of the Whole Fifth Grade by Sherri Winstron
The Sassy series by Sharon Draper
Keena Ford by Melissa Thompson

[MTOR Posts: 17 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

KeithM: I LOVED The Planet of Junior Brown!


MysteryRobin: That link is priceless.  THANK YOU.


And Rachel: You are too good!  I have to check those titles out.


You all have been GREAT!

[Barbara Etlin Posts: 2,255 Status: Offline WWW]

Take a look at this blog which I just remembered, MTOR. You'll have to look for the quirky books, but it's a treasure trove of current books by black authors or with black protagonists.

The Brown Bookshelf
http://thebrownbookshelf.com/

 

[MTOR Posts: 17 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Barbara:


I am SO delighted about this!! 

[L Swanson Posts: 18 Status: Offline WWW]

As an earlier poster wrote, quirkiness levels may vary (as well as how much of the story is set in a classroom), but here are some titles:


Philip Hall Likes Me, I Reckon Maybe, Bette Greene
The Egypt Game, Zilpha Keatley Snyder

When the Black Girl Sings, Bil Wright (a bit more YA then MG)
Small Steps, Louis Sachar (also more YA than MG, but I can still see middle schoolers reading this and the one above)


I loved The True Meaning of Smek Day.

[Keila Posts: 57 Status: Offline I know what it means, to miss New Orleenz WWW]

The Laura Line by Crystal Allen is a funny book with a strong female character. Much is based in a middle school setting. Quirky? She rocks at baseball and her family has secrets she is afraid to confront. Not sure if that's quirky or not. Loved this book and it's very well written! LOL 

[MTOR Posts: 17 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Thank you Keila!  You guys have given me so many books to check out.  They all sound good.

[jennifer-baker1 Posts: 30 Status: Offline I love kids' books!]

Rita Williams-Garcia is a good reference too.

[jerry-craft Posts: 12 Status: Offline I love kids' books! WWW]

I illustrated one for Scholastic called "The Zero Degree Zombie Zone! which stars 4 African American kids (3 boys and a girl) fighting Ice Zombies in school.
The Offenders has one African-American boy and one Latino boy as middle school superheroes. I'll ask around to see if I can find others.