With Black History Month coming in February, here are four page-turning tales across genres for intermediate and/or middle-school readers where Black history or identity plays a role in the action. For many more Black History Month resources, see the Black History Month tag on hbook.com, and the African Americans tag in the Guide/Reviews Database.

Billions to Burn
by Taylor Banks
Intermediate, Middle School    de la Cruz/Disney-Hyperion    336 pp.
5/25    9781368110419    $16.99

Banks weaves mystery, history, and heart into a fast-paced adventure. Twelve-year-old Zeus is the only one who still believes in his grandfather’s incredible stories about the Harlem Renaissance, including tales of a legendary magazine called Burn!!! and a lost ancestor and hidden treasure. When Zeus stumbles upon a page from Burn!!! stashed in a toaster, and his grandfather mysteriously disappears, the lines between myth and reality blur. Zeus and his friends are thrust into a high-stakes race, following a treasure map filled with riddles, clues, and long-buried secrets. The narrative does an excellent job connecting young readers to important elements of Black history and the Harlem Renaissance, while puzzles and surprises add an interactive element. Beyond the action and mystery, the story explores themes of family, identity, and the power of legacy in shaping the future. As readers cheer for Zeus as he navigates the dangers and discoveries that come with chasing a legend, they will be delighted by engaging characters, an irresistible plot, and a breathtaking cliffhanger ending. MONIQUE HARRIS

Kid X
by Tracey Baptiste
Intermediate, Middle School    Little, Brown    272 pp.
2/26    9781643753829    $17.99

Coal Keegan (Boy 2.0, rev. 11/24), with the help of his foster family and best friend, is slowly but surely learning how to navigate his superhuman ability to make himself invisible. With the sudden arrival of Coal’s biological aunt, the adults in his life begin to argue about where he (and his gifts) should live. As Coal becomes frustrated with having to adhere to the demands of others, he begins to make choices independently, with potentially dangerous results. When he is forced to partner with an old nemesis, Coal discovers that there are more eyes on him than originally thought, and he’s going to need both the support of his loved ones and his own wits to save himself (and possibly a few others). Baptiste balances action with introspection, and Coal remains a compelling protagonist: vulnerable, impulsive, and deeply human even with his powers. The supporting characters are varied and provide a range of perspectives, some lending humor and others urging caution as they attempt to help. Explorations of ethical medicine and AI practices are woven throughout, with references to historical cases (e.g., Henrietta Lacks; the Tuskegee experiment), likely prompting readers to question issues of consent and surveillance. This second thrilling and thoughtful installment again trusts its audience to consider what it means to be seen and what it costs to disappear. EBONI NJOKU

Abeni and the Kingdom of Gold
by P. Djèlí Clark
Intermediate, Middle School    Starscape/Tor    368 pp.
4/25    9781250825858    $19.99
e-book ed.  9781250825865    $11.99

In this compelling sequel to Abeni’s Song (rev. 9/23), Abeni and her companions continue their quest to find the elder spirits who might protect Asha (the first book’s benevolent witch who here has been reborn as a child) from the malevolent Witch Priest. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they’re captured by the Gold Weavers, mysterious beings with the ability to manipulate gold at will. The Gold Weavers offer Abeni a bargain: her freedom in exchange for locating an ancestral relic containing the soul of their kingdom. Meanwhile, the Witch Priest builds his army, intent on world domination. Fearing Asha’s power to derail his plans, he dispatches his adopted daughter, Fulan, to capture both the reborn spirit and her guardian, Abeni. Fulan’s determination to prove herself adds another layer of danger. Clark adeptly combines action and emotion in this fast-paced narrative, which also explores themes of loyalty, heritage, and personal growth through Abeni’s evolving relationships with her companions. The author’s skilled incorporation of historical and magical elements enriches the world-building while reinforcing the tale’s central themes. This second installment successfully builds upon its predecessor while raising the stakes for all involved. S. R. TOLIVER

Candace, the Universe, and Everything
by Sherri L. Smith
Middle School    Putnam    336 pp.
9/25    9781524737931    $18.99
e-book ed.  9781524737948    $10.99

Thirteen-year-old Candace has a lot to navigate. She is starting eighth grade, her besties are being weird, and, to make matters worse, a bird flies out of her locker. While cleaning up the mess the bird leaves behind, Candace finds a strange purple notebook on her locker shelf, and she eventually learns that her locker is a wormhole. This mysterious portal links her to two accomplished Black women who wrote in the notebook during their youth: Tracey, now a college professor in her forties; and Loretta, a quantum physicist who is now ninety-three. This speculative novel inventively blends a coming-of-age story with a cosmic adventure; it offers a unique exploration of Black girlhood and womanhood and of intergenerational relationships. Smith weaves together Candace’s, Tracey’s, and Loretta’s stories, with flashbacks to the 1940s and the 1980s. The characters’ interactions — in person in the present day, and in writing between eras — reveal how wisdom and curiosity flow in both directions. The shared, hands-on quest to understand the portal becomes a powerful example of scientific inquiry and collaboration. The narrative is a testament to the value of shared experience and knowledge, and the impact of Candace seeing herself reflected in the intelligent, accomplished women who have come before is profound. A compelling story of connectedness and the wonder of finding one’s place in the universe. MONIQUE HARRIS

From the January 2026 issue of Notes from the Horn Book.