If you enjoy reading books by Sharon Draper then you might also like the following authors:
Jacqueline Woodson tells thoughtful stories in poetic language that resonate deeply with young readers. Her novels explore themes of friendship, family, racial identity, and the search for belonging.
If you enjoy Sharon Draper's sensitive storytelling, you might really connect with Woodson's book Brown Girl Dreaming, a beautiful memoir told through verse that explores her coming-of-age experience.
Jason Reynolds writes authentic stories about the everyday struggles and triumphs of young people, particularly African American youth. Just like Sharon Draper, he tackles tough questions with honesty and warmth.
One of Reynolds's best-known books is Ghost, the first in his series about a boy joining a track team and learning important lessons about family, friendship, and his own potential.
Angie Thomas's powerful storytelling gives insightful perspectives into issues young adults face today. Her honest voice and realistic stories will appeal to readers who appreciate Sharon Draper's courage in approaching tough topics.
Thomas's debut novel, The Hate U Give, openly confronts issues of racial injustice through the eyes of Starr Carter, whose life changes dramatically after witnessing the police shooting of an unarmed friend.
Nicola Yoon explores topics like love, family, identity, and hope, often highlighting important life-altering decisions. Her accessible writing style invites readers into the emotional worlds of her characters, just as readers experience with Draper's novels.
Yoon’s book Everything, Everything follows Maddy, a teenage girl confined at home due to an illness, who begins to question her life when a new neighbor arrives next door.
Walter Dean Myers was an influential figure who wrote openly and clearly about tough realities facing urban teens. If you like how Draper creates characters who feel real and relatable, you might also appreciate Myers’s style.
His acclaimed book Monster is narrated by teenage Steve Harmon, who faces trial for involvement in a crime, looking closely into issues of justice, identity, and self-perception.
Kwame Alexander is known for energetic stories written in brilliant free verse. His books connect powerfully with young readers through relatable young characters facing real challenges.
In his novel The Crossover, Alexander tells the story of twin brothers growing up, basketball, family struggles and personal loss. Readers who enjoyed Draper's emotional and insightful style will appreciate Alexander's authentic young voices and engaging storytelling.
Rita Williams-Garcia writes thoughtful, warmhearted novels about challenging family relationships, identity, and growing up during important moments in history.
Her award-winning novel One Crazy Summer explores the experiences of three sisters visiting their absent mother during the Black Panther movement of the 1960s.
Williams-Garcia writes engaging and believable young characters whose experiences feel genuine and deeply moving, much like Draper's books.
Christopher Paul Curtis writes stories that blend humor, historical detail, and genuine emotional depth. Like Draper, he portrays the lives of African-American youth navigating challenging circumstances.
His book Bud, Not Buddy follows a lively young boy searching for his family during the Great Depression. Curtis combines heartfelt characters with humor and hope, inviting readers into powerful and memorable stories.
Laurie Halse Anderson tackles tough subjects in an honest and empathetic way. Her stories often feature young characters discovering their voices and finding inner strength through difficult times.
Her novel Speak addresses the trauma and isolation experienced by a high-school girl dealing with the aftermath of a personal assault. Like Draper, Anderson writes with courage and compassion, thoughtfully examining important issues teenagers face.
Nic Stone writes contemporary novels addressing race, identity, and societal issues that resonate with teens today.
Her novel Dear Martin follows a young Black student grappling with prejudice and reflecting on the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. Readers drawn to Draper's powerful, socially conscious narratives will find Stone's frank discussions and relatable characters especially appealing.
Elizabeth Acevedo writes powerful and poetic stories that center around young people navigating complex family dynamics, identity, and cultural heritage. Her background in poetry makes her voice authentic and vibrant.
In The Poet X, she captures the experience of Xiomara, a teenage girl from Harlem who discovers slam poetry as a way to express herself and understand the world around her.
Kekla Magoon explores timely social issues and historical events through her thoughtful and sensitive storytelling. Her characters often face critical decisions amid complicated moral questions.
In How It Went Down, Magoon offers nuanced perspectives about a community rocked by the shooting of a black teen, thoughtfully examining how facts can shift depending on who tells the story.
Ibi Zoboi often writes stories that explore themes of identity, immigration, race, and belonging. Her writing confidently blends elements of Haitian culture, vivid details, and believable characters to create relatable narratives.
In American Street, Zoboi tells the memorable story of Fabiola, a Haitian teenager newly arrived in Detroit, whose struggles with family, immigration, and cultural differences become poignant reflections on identity and strength.
Jewell Parker Rhodes writes warm-hearted, thoughtful books that explore complex historical events and contemporary social issues with compassion and clarity. She tackles important topics like racism, social justice, and resilience through relatable young protagonists.
Ghost Boys tells the heartbreaking story of Jerome, a twelve-year-old boy killed by police, whose ghost sees past and present colliding as he witnesses the impact his death has on his community.
Renée Watson focuses on authentic relationships, community, and identity in her warm and heartfelt stories. She writes engaging and honest narratives, often tackling difficult but meaningful subjects in accessible ways for young readers.
Piecing Me Together introduces readers to Jade, a creative young woman navigating friendship, race, privilege, and empowerment as she tries to find her place in the world around her.