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Ibi Zoboi
Author Profile

Ibi Zoboi

13 Books
Ibi Zoboi is a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author of books for young adults and middle grade readers. Her work often explores themes of identity, culture, and social justice, frequently featuring characters navigating complex worlds. Notable titles include "Punching the Air," co-written with Yusef Salaam, "My Life as an Ice Cream Sandwich," and "Nigeria Jones."

Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

Ibi Zoboi

Biography Diverse Voices
- /5

Nigeria Jones: A Novel

Ibi Zoboi

Diverse Voices Family
- /5

American Street

Ibi Zoboi

Culture Diverse Voices
- /5
Black Panther

Okoye to the People

Ibi Zoboi

Action Adventure
- /5

(S)Kin

Ibi Zoboi

Diverse Voices Family
- /5

Pride

Ibi Zoboi

Diverse Voices Family
- /5

My Life As An Ice Cream Sandwich

Ibi Zoboi

Diverse Voices Family
- /5

The People Remember

Ibi Zoboi, Loveis Wise

Culture Diverse Voices
- /5

First Day Around the World

Ibi Zoboi, Juanita Londoño

Culture Diverse Voices
- /5

Punching the Air

Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam

Art Diverse Voices
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Black Enough: Stories of Being Young & Black in America

Ibi Zoboi, Dhonielle Clayton, Jason Reynolds, Nic Stone, Kekla Magoon, Rita Williams-Garcia, Tracey Baptiste, Coe Booth, Brandy Colbert, Jay Coles, Lamar Giles, Justina Ireland, Leah Henderson, Tochi Onyebuchi, Liara Tamani, Renée Watson, Varian Johnson

Anthologies Diverse Voices
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Meet Cute: Some People Are Destined to Meet

Jennifer L. Armentrout, Dhonielle Clayton, Katie Cotugno, Jocelyn Davies, Nina LaCour, Emery Lord, Katharine McGee, Kass Morgan, Meredith Russo, Sara Shepard, Nicola Yoon, Ibi Zoboi, Julie Murphy

Anthologies Diverse Voices
- /5

Cool. Awkward. Black.

Karen Strong, Ibi Zoboi, Lamar Giles, K Arsenault Rivera, Amerie, Kalynn Bayron, Terry J. Benton, Roseanne A. Brown, Elise Bryant, Tracy Deonn, Desiree S. Evans, Isaac Fitzsimons, Jordan Ifueko, Leah Johnson, Amanda Joy, Danny Lore, Kwame Mbalia, Tochi Onyebuchi, Ciannon Smart, Julian Winters

Anthologies Diverse Voices
- /5
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A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler

By: Ibi Zoboi
Discover the extraordinary early life of visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in this captivating biography told through a beautiful blend of poetry and prose. Long before she became a groundbreaking science fiction author, Octavia was a young girl navigating an America defined by the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawn of the Civil Rights Movement. You will step into the formative years that shaped her brilliant mind, exploring how the challenges and triumphs of her childhood fueled her vivid imagination. Through lyrical verses and engaging narrative, this book illuminates the struggles and inspirations that led her to write timeless classics like Kindred and Parable of the Sower. It is a profound tribute to a literary legend who dared to dream of new worlds while confronting the harsh realities of her own. Experience the journey of a true star child whose legacy continues to challenge, inspire, and delight readers everywhere.
Biography Diverse Voices History Non-Fiction Poetry
13-18 Years 129 Pages
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A Novel

By: Ibi Zoboi
Your father calls you Warrior Princess, and as the daughter of the leader of a Black separatist group in Philadelphia, you have always known your place. Nigeria Jones has been raised within the Movement, living a strict, homeschooled, and vegan lifestyle deeply connected to her ancestors. But when her mother suddenly disappears, the perfect matriarch leaves behind a shattered family and a trail of hidden secrets. Thrust into the role of caregiver for her baby brother, Nigeria discovers that her mother secretly arranged for her to attend a private Quaker school outside their insular community. Defying her father, Nigeria steps into this unfamiliar world alongside her cousin and a former friend. As she navigates the halls of her new school, she begins to flourish and expand her horizons in ways she never thought possible. But the search for her missing mother leads to a shocking revelation that forces Nigeria to question everything she has ever been taught. You will be captivated by this powerful story of finding your own voice, challenging the rules of your upbringing, and having the courage to spark your own revolution.
Diverse Voices Family Fiction Social Justice
13-18 Years 384 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi
On the corner of American Street and Joy Road, Fabiola Toussaint believed she would finally find a good life. But when she and her mother leave Port-au-Prince, Haiti, for the United States, their dream is shattered. Her mother is detained by immigration officials, leaving Fabiola to navigate her new reality entirely on her own. Thrust into the gritty landscape of Detroit's west side, you will follow Fabiola as she tries to find her footing among her loud, Americanized cousins, a challenging new school, and the confusing thrill of a surprising romance. Just as she begins to understand the rules of this strange new world, a dangerous proposition forces her to make an impossible choice. Fabiola quickly learns that freedom and the American dream come with a heavy price. This powerful and gripping story explores the complexities of cultural identity, family loyalty, and the lengths we will go to protect the people we love.
Culture Diverse Voices Family Fiction
13-18 Years 336 Pages
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Black Panther

Okoye to the People

By: Ibi Zoboi
Before she became the confident leader of the Dora Milaje, Okoye was just trying to find her place in Wakanda's royal guard. When she is finally given her first official mission outside her home country, she is thrilled to prove herself. But upon arriving in New York, Okoye quickly discovers that her elite status means absolutely nothing on the bustling streets of Brooklyn. As she explores the neighborhood of Brownsville, she meets a group of teenagers fighting against the rapid gentrification of their community. Her expectations of the outside world are shattered when she uncovers the dark truth behind a manipulative real-estate mogul's secret plans. Caught in a web of corporate greed and hidden agendas, you will watch Okoye grapple with an impossible choice. She must decide whether to strictly follow her orders and fulfill her duty to Wakanda, or listen to her heart and stand up for her new friends. Dive into this high-stakes adventure that tests what it truly means to be a hero.
Action Adventure Diverse Voices Social Justice Superheroes
13-18 Years 288 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi
Every new moon, fifteen-year-old Marisol sheds her skin and shifts into a fireball witch, a soucouyant who must sip from the lives of others to survive. But the bright lights and bolted doors of Brooklyn are no place for ancient island magic. Marisol desperately wants to leave these dark traditions behind, but her mother refuses to let go of their magical past. Across town, seventeen-year-old Genevieve is struggling with a worsening skin condition and a deep, gnawing hunger she cannot explain. Kept awake by her new twin siblings and a longing for her estranged mother, Genevieve feels completely lost. When a new nanny arrives to help her family, a hidden secret connects Genevieve's life directly to Marisol's. As you unravel the mystery binding these two girls together, they must confront the explosive magic locked beneath their skin. Step into a mesmerizing contemporary fantasy that explores the heavy price of inherited power and the fierce desire to forge your own destiny.
Diverse Voices Family Fiction Magic
13-18 Years 400 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi
Zuri Benitez has pride. She is fiercely proud of her Brooklyn neighborhood, her tight-knit family, and her Afro-Latino roots. But as rapid gentrification threatens to make the streets of Bushwick unrecognizable, Zuri fears that her pride might not be enough to save the place she calls home. When the wealthy Darcy family moves into the renovated house across the street, Zuri wants absolutely nothing to do with their two teenage sons. Even as her older sister begins falling for the charming Ainsley, Zuri cannot stand the arrogant and judgmental Darius. But as circumstances force Zuri and Darius to spend time together, their initial hostility slowly shifts into an unexpected and complicated understanding. With college applications looming and her four wild sisters pulling her in every direction, you will watch Zuri fight to find her place in a changing world. Experience a vibrant, smart, and funny reimagining of a beloved classic that perfectly balances cultural identity, class struggles, and the heady magic of first love.
Diverse Voices Family Fiction
13-18 Years 304 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi
Twelve-year-old Ebony-Grace Norfleet has always had her eyes on the stars. Growing up in Huntsville, Alabama, with her beloved grandfather, one of the first Black engineers to integrate NASA, she has developed a deep love for outer space and science fiction. But when family trouble arises in the summer of 1984, Ebony-Grace is suddenly sent to spend a few weeks with her father in Harlem. For a sheltered girl accustomed to the quiet South, the bustling, loud streets of New York City are both thrilling and terrifying. Her first instinct is to retreat into the safety of her cosmic imagination, pretending she is on a distant sci-fi adventure. Yet as she navigates her new neighborhood, she slowly realizes that 126th Street holds its own kind of magic. You will follow Ebony-Grace as she bridges the gap between her vivid fantasy world and her vibrant new reality, ultimately discovering that even in the heart of Harlem, there is plenty of room for a girl who reaches for the stars.
Diverse Voices Family Imagination Science Fiction
9-12 Years 13-18 Years 258 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi , Loveis Wise
Embark on a powerful journey through the history of African descendants in America, beautifully connected to the seven guiding principles of Kwanzaa. This lyrical narrative begins across the ocean in Africa, where people of different languages and customs were taken from their homes and families. Bound together and forced onto ships sailing toward an unknown future, these resilient individuals had to forge a common language and create a vibrant new culture. You will discover how they combined their cherished memories of home with new traditions that allowed them to survive and eventually thrive in a new land. With sumptuous illustrations and deeply moving prose, this book offers a profound exploration of African American history. It is a story that deepens your understanding of the past while connecting it to your own life and modern social justice movements. Experience a revealing and triumphant celebration of the survival, joy, and relentless innovation of Black people in America.
Culture Diverse Voices History Holidays Non-Fiction Social Justice
13-18 Years 64 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi , Juanita Londoño
Discover how students across the globe experience the universal milestone of going back to school. This beautifully illustrated journey takes you across every continent to explore the diverse routines, cultures, and landscapes that shape the first day of classes. You will see students eating warm akara for breakfast in Nigeria, unwrapping lunches of kluski in Poland, and practicing intricate characters in special notebooks in China. In Argentina, classmates learn each other's names through a sing-song memory game. From Ethiopia to Germany, and India to Brazil, this lyrical exploration highlights the unique traditions that make each culture special while celebrating the shared excitement of a new academic year. Whether you are curious about global customs or looking to appreciate the beautiful differences in our world, this captivating book connects you to the daily lives of people everywhere.
Culture Diverse Voices Geography Non-Fiction Schools
13-18 Years 48 Pages
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By: Ibi Zoboi , Yusef Salaam
Amal Shahid has always expressed himself best through his art and poetry. But even in a diverse art school, a biased system sees him as disruptive and unmotivated. Everything changes on one fateful night when a sudden altercation in a gentrifying neighborhood escalates into a devastating tragedy. At just sixteen years old, Amal sees his bright future completely upended. He is convicted of a crime he did not commit and sent to prison. Surrounded by the harsh realities of the justice system, despair and rage threaten to pull him under. To survive, Amal turns to the only refuge he has left: his words and his art. Written in spellbinding verse, this profound novel explores how one boy fights to maintain his humanity in a world designed to strip it away. You will be deeply moved by Amal's struggle for truth and freedom as he uses his creativity to rewrite a story that never should have been his. Discover a powerful testament to resilience, hope, and the unbreakable spirit of a young artist.
Art Diverse Voices Fiction Poetry Social Justice
13-18 Years 493 Pages
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Stories of Being Young & Black in America

By: Ibi Zoboi , Dhonielle Clayton , Jason Reynolds , Nic Stone , Kekla Magoon , Rita Williams-Garcia , Tracey Baptiste , Coe Booth , Brandy Colbert , Jay Coles , Lamar Giles , Justina Ireland , Leah Henderson , Tochi Onyebuchi , Liara Tamani , Renée Watson , Varian Johnson
There is no single right way to be yourself, and this amazing collection of stories proves exactly that. You are invited to explore the lives of different kids from all across America, each experiencing their own unique journey of growing up Black. From sisters trying to get along at a summer camp in the woods to best friends hanging out and laughing on their walk home from the local pool, every story feels real and close to home. You will meet characters living in big bustling cities and quiet country towns. Some are navigating the confusing feelings of a first crush, while others are discovering what it means to stand up for their own identities. These brilliant tales capture the everyday joys, tough moments, and strong family bonds that make each character's life so special. Written by an all-star lineup of incredible authors, this book is a celebration of friendship, courage, and being exactly who you are. It is a wonderful reminder that your story is important, powerful, and more than enough.
Anthologies Diverse Voices Family Friendship Short Stories
9-12 Years 416 Pages
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By: Jennifer L. Armentrout , Dhonielle Clayton , Katie Cotugno , Jocelyn Davies , Nina LaCour , Emery Lord , Katharine McGee , Kass Morgan , Meredith Russo , Sara Shepard , Nicola Yoon , Ibi Zoboi , Julie Murphy
Whether you believe in serendipity, carefully calculated matchmaking, or just plain luck, every great romance has to start somewhere. Welcome to the magic of the meet cute. This collection brings together some of the biggest voices in young adult fiction to explore the unforgettable moments when two paths cross for the very first time. Dive into a diverse array of beginnings that range from wildly futuristic flirtations to hilariously awkward airport encounters. You will experience the spark of connection through a cranky customer service tweet, a frantic escape from a busted house party, and a whimsical twist on a reality dating show. The stories sweep across different genres and realities, offering a little something for every kind of romantic heart. Whether the setting is a bustling diner, a missed subway train, or a completely reimagined world, the emotional stakes remain undeniably real. Crafted by a powerhouse lineup of bestselling authors, these tales capture the dizzying, unpredictable thrill of falling for someone new. Prepare for short stories that are witty, heartbreaking, and epic in equal measure. Finding love is rarely simple, but the moment it begins is always a story worth telling.
Anthologies Diverse Voices Short Stories
13-18 Years 320 Pages
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By: Karen Strong , Ibi Zoboi , Lamar Giles , K Arsenault Rivera , Amerie , Kalynn Bayron , Terry J. Benton , Roseanne A. Brown , Elise Bryant , Tracy Deonn , Desiree S. Evans , Isaac Fitzsimons , Jordan Ifueko , Leah Johnson , Amanda Joy , Danny Lore , Kwame Mbalia , Tochi Onyebuchi , Ciannon Smart , Julian Winters
Step into a dynamic collection of stories that completely redefines what it means to be a geek. In this multi-genre anthology, some of today's most celebrated Black authors bring you into worlds where imagination knows no bounds. You will meet a girl who searches the skies for UFOs, a boy who might have finally stumbled upon his Prince Charming, an aspiring performer dreaming of the lead role in her school musical, and a misunderstood magician grappling with powers she cannot fully control. Whether you are drawn to contemporary romance, historical fiction, sweeping fantasy, or mind-bending sci-fi, these eclectic tales offer something for every kind of reader. Each story centers exclusively on Black characters, celebrating the many facets of Blackness and geekiness in both our real world and beautifully imagined universes. It is a life-affirming journey that challenges old stereotypes and invites you to embrace exactly who you are. Discover the magic, the awkwardness, and the undeniable coolness of being a geek.
Anthologies Diverse Voices Fiction Short Stories
13-18 Years 337 Pages
N/A /5
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