Derrick Barnes – författare

Bobby Beacon’s got fire flowing through his veins. And now he’s psyched to attend a new school that’ll help him get a better grip on his powers. But right off the bat, his new teacher is not too welcoming. That causes Bobby’s hot temper to land him in the principal’s office. It ain’t easy to stay calm when people don’t seem to understand you and are always pushing you to the edge. Good thing Bobby gets moved to a class with an understanding teacher who clues him in on ways to calm himself and shows him that caring for others is its own kind of superpower. With her help - and some cool new friends - he just might be on his way to becoming the best version of himself possible.

I am a nonstop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference maker. A leader.The confident Black narrator of this book is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He’s got big plans, and no doubt he’ll see them through - as he’s creative, adventurous, smart, funny, and a good friend. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he’s afraid, because he’s so often misunderstood and called what he is not. So slow down and really look and listen, when somebody tells you - and shows you - who they are. There are superheroes in our midst!

Rasheed has the best big brother in the world! Anthony has been his hero from day one, making him feel safe during storms and included in all kinds of fun activities. Thanks to Anthony, Rasheed knows all about worms, mud pies, puddles, and how to fly on a swing. And now that Rasheed is getting a little older, Anthony is teaching him how to do big-boy things, like button his own shirt, and ride a bike. And most importantly, that there will be times when Anthony needs his own space and time with his buddies. At first Rasheed feels crushed not to be included full-time with his brother, but fortunately, Anthony reassures him that even when they're not together he still loves Rasheed and nothing will ever change that. And when Momma and Daddy share the big news that soon both of them will be big brothers, Rasheed knows - thanks to Anthony - just what kind of big brother he wants to be.

Selected by Oprah Magazine as one of its 'essential books for discussing racism with kids'. I am a non-stop ball of energy. Powerful and full of light. I am a go-getter. A difference-maker. A leader. Step inside the mind of the confident narrator of this book. He is proud of everything that makes him who he is. He's got big plans, and will see them through. He's creative, adventurous, smart, funny. A good friend. A superhero. Sometimes he falls, but he always gets back up. And other times he's afraid, because he's often misunderstood. So, slow down, look and listen as he shows you who he really is … Featured in the Booktrust Great Books Guide 2021 Observer Children’s Picture Book of the Month Perfect for fans of Dapo Adeola’s Hey You! ‘Pitch-perfect… Gordon C James’s painted portraits brim with spirit and dignity. The result is a truly special book by an American author-illustrator duo at the top of their game’ – Imogen Carter, Observer‘A poetic paean to the brilliance of black boys, its energetic pages filled with courage, joy and vivid, dynamic illustrations’ – Guardian‘A powerful celebration of Black boyhood’ – Booklist, starred review‘A much-needed book for Black children when society demonstrates otherwise’ – Kirkus Reviews, starred review‘This beautiful and necessary book that affirms Black boys and their right to thrive’ – Horn Book, starred review‘An empowering ode to Black boy joy’ – Publishers Weekly, starred review‘Page after page of empowering text speaks to energetic children everywhere’ – School Library Journal, starred review

On 16 October 1968, during the medal ceremonyat the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, thegold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, andJohn Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on thepodium in black socks and raised their black-glovedfists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon AfricanAmericans. Both men were forced to leave theOlympics, received death threats and faced ostracismand continuing economic hardships.In his first-ever memoir for young readers, TommieSmith looks back on his childhood growing up in ruralTexas through to his stellar athletic career, culminatingin his historic victory and Olympic podium protest.Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta ScottKing Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes andillustrated with bold and muscular artwork fromEmmy Award–winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconicmoment in Olympic history that still resonates today.

On 16 October 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships. In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honour and Coretta Scott King Author Honour recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award–winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.

The morning sun blares through your window like a million brass trumpets.It sits and shines behind your head - like a crown. Mummy says that today, you are going to be the King of Kindergarten!Starting kindergarten is a big milestone - and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He’s dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can’t wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he’s up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can’t wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements - and then wake up to start another day.Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes’s empowering story will give new kindergartener's a reassuring confidence boost, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton’s illustrations exude joy.

A young boy's trip to the barber shop is a joyful celebration of confidence and self-esteem.The barber shop is where magic happens! Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty, aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good. Their grades improve, they get noticed, they feel good about themselves. This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber's chair. It's a tradition that places a figurative crown on their heads that perfectly confirms their brilliance and worth.

Winner of the 2018 Kirkus Prize for Young ReadersA Newbery Honor BookA Caldecott Honor BookA Coretta Scott King Author Honor BookA Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor BookAn Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award BookAn Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Honor BookA Society of Illustrators Gold Medal BookNamed one of the best books of 2017 by NPR, the Huffington Post, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, the Los Angeles Times, the Boston Globe, the Horn Book Magazine, the News & Observer, BookPage, Chicago Public Library, and moreThe barbershop is where the magic happens. Boys go in as lumps of clay and, with princely robes draped around their shoulders, a dab of cool shaving cream on their foreheads, and a slow, steady cut, they become royalty. That crisp yet subtle line makes boys sharper, more visible, more aware of every great thing that could happen to them when they look good: lesser grades turn into As; girls take notice; even a mother’s hug gets a little tighter. Everyone notices. A fresh cut makes boys fly.This rhythmic, read-aloud title is an unbridled celebration of the self-esteem, confidence, and swagger boys feel when they leave the barber’s chair—a tradition that places on their heads a figurative crown, beaming with jewels, that confirms their brilliance and worth and helps them not only love and accept themselves but also take a giant step toward caring how they present themselves to the world. The fresh cuts. That’s where it all begins.Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut is a high-spirited, engaging salute to the beautiful, raw, assured humanity of black boys and how they see themselves when they approve of their reflections in the mirror.Educational resources for Crown can be found here.

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone - and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements - and then wake up to start another day. Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes's empowering story will give new kindergarteners a reassuring confidence boost, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton's illustrations exude joy.

Starting kindergarten is a big milestone - and the hero of this story is ready to make his mark! He's dressed himself, eaten a pile of pancakes, and can't wait to be part of a whole new kingdom of kids. The day will be jam-packed, but he's up to the challenge, taking new experiences in stride with his infectious enthusiasm! And afterward, he can't wait to tell his proud parents all about his achievements - and then wake up to start another day. Newbery Honor-winning author Derrick Barnes's empowering story will give new kindergarteners a reassuring confidence boost, and Vanessa Brantley-Newton's illustrations exude joy.

A confident little girl has a fantastic first day of school in this companion to 'King of the Classroom'.MJ is more than ready for her first day of kindergarten! With her hair freshly braided and her mom’s special tiara on her head, she knows she’s going to rock kindergarten. But the tiara isn’t just for show—it also reminds her of all the good things she brings to the classroom, stuff like her kindness, friendliness, and impressive soccer skills, too! Like 'King of the Classroom', this is the perfect book to reinforce excitement and build confidence in the newest students.

In the small town of Great Mountain, Mississippi, all eyes are on Henson Blayze, a thirteen-year-old football phenom who many have wondered if he was super-human. The predominately white townsfolk have been waiting for Henson to play senior school ball, and now they’re overjoyed to finally possess an elite Black athlete of their own.Until a horrifying incident forces Henson to speak out about injustice.Until he says that he might not play football anymore.Until he quickly learns he isn’t as loved by the people as he thought.In that moment, Henson’s town is divided into two chaotic sides when all he wants is justice. Even his best friends and his father can’t see eye to eye. When he is told to play ball again or else, Henson must decide whether he was born to entertain people who may not even see him as human, or if he’s destined for a different kind of greatness.Derrick Barnes’s groundbreaking novel masterfully combines a modern-day allegory with classic-style tall tales to weave a compelling story of America’s strange obsession with the Black body, relegated to labour or entertainment. Spanning the 1800s to today, it shows how much has changed over centuries. . . and, at the same time, how little.