It’s not enough to be a good person, think good thoughts, or post a black square on Instagram on #blackouttuesday. You, me, we, have all benefited from a system built for us, and against the black community. It’s not okay to sit silent. It’s not okay to remain uneducated. It’s time to join a conversation, question yourself, take action.

Growing up white is a privilege. But growing up uneducated is unacceptable. It may not be easy to understand a community that you aren’t a part of, but that is no longer an excuse. It could be as simple as changing what you’re planning to read next and immersing yourself in a new story, a new world, a new community.

Take a look at these 4 YA novels from black authors that you need to read now, all read and approved with five stars:

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