Triumphant titles: 7 books that amplify Black stories
BY KATIE HALE AND CHRISTINA IVERSON / EDITED BY WILL SHORTZ
In celebration of Black History Month, we’re taking a look at some of the most inspiring and evocative stories of being Black in America. These novels span centuries, offering an expansive view of Black history from a variety of perspectives. Allow each of these titles to broaden your understanding of racial inequality, hopefully inspiring a force of positive change in yourself and the world around you.
‘Mississippi Reckoning’ by Mitchell Zimmerman
This anti-racism thriller chronicles the story of an attorney trying to get his client off death row. Discussing both the current civil rights movement and the movements of the 1960s, this novel brings intense inequalities to light set against a plotline rich with unexpected and historically accurate twists.
‘The Underground Railroad’ by Colson Whitehead
Cora and Caesar are the fearless protagonists in this historical novel.
The pair are slaves in Georgia during the 1800s who embark on a road toward freedom via the Underground Railroad, encountering dozens of experiences that challenge them both physically and morally. This bestseller is an exquisite peek into our country’s dark past.
‘Trouble the Water’ by Rebecca Dwight Bruff
This novel, based on a true story, follows the voyage of Robert Smalls to avenge his past as a slave by commandeering a Confederate ship alongside fellow slaves. After purchasing the house in which he was enslaved, he became one of the first Black legislators,
proving that one’s former experiences do not define them. This profound story tells how Smalls went from the illiterate child of a slave to a champion for freedom. Bruff ’s novel will inspire and uplift while telling an incredible story of triumph.
‘Between the World and Me’ by Ta-Nehisi Coates
In a letter to the author’s son, he advises him on how to navigate being Black in America, speaks on the institutions that uphold racism and how to cope with a painful history. This moving book brings Black parents’ fears to light in relation to events of the past and present. Coates emotionally expresses the strength required to thrive against adversity, and will encourage readers to do the same.
‘The Fire Next Time’ by James Baldwin
Baldwin’s novel speaks on the civil rights movement and seeks to foster an understanding of modernday racial struggles in our country. The book is composed of two letters, both written on the 100th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation from Black and white viewpoints.
These contrasting stories shine a light on civil rights through varying lenses.
‘The Prophets’ by Robert Jones Jr.
Jones’ debut novel follows the gripping story of Samuel and Isaiah. The two spend their days on a plantation tending to animals, but find comfort in each other’s constant companionship. When their love is discovered, the plantation’s harmony is completely disrupted. The pair endure immense suffering, but prove how love can prevail. This poetic novel is a must-read story of hope amid their grim circumstances.
‘The Hate U Give’ by Angie Thomas
This novel tells the story of a young, unarmed Black man killed at the hands of a police officer through the lens of his 16-year-old best friend. The main character, Starr, is the only person who knows the true story of what happened on the night of the boy’s death, so she vseeks justice on his behalf. This story is inspired by the BLM movement and brings the dark reality of police brutality to light.
Katie Hale, of London, and Christina Iverson, of Ames, Iowa, are stay-at-home moms. Katie is also co-founder of a community organization that recycles children’s books. They connected online after Katie read about Christina’s first Times puzzle and reached out for mentoring. This is Christina’s seventh crossword for the paper. It is Katie’s debut. — W.S.
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Unloading point Trait for a ballerina
“Wanna hear a secret?” preceder Not much
The “O” of OWN Portrayer of Captain Davies in “Roots”
Bind with rope Abacus column Helpful
Accept payment from Batman? Eponymous Irish city
____ pickle Counterparts of faunas
Cause for celebration at a pachyderm sanctuary?
____ lecithin (chocolate additive)
What most pens can’t do Jane portrayer in 1981’s “Tarzan, the Ape Man” Worry about, informally
Flip (out)
Rock band that you might think would always be an opening act, with “the”? Ex-Giants QB Manning
Finish scooping out a big stir-fry?
Signal approval Inexplicably missing, say Brontë who wrote “Agnes Grey” Target of permethrin cream
Not very convincing
Highly skilled
Rare race outcome Unimaginative birthday gift Is stertorous
65
Puritan’s goal in 17th-century Salem?
Changes topics in a debate, perhaps
Scrapes (out)
The Rose Bowl, e.g.
Czar who coruled with Peter I Goes head to head
Indiana athlete Sunburn soother Specialist publication, for short
Monopolize Something a Parmesan vendor might offer? Unflappable state of mind
Baron Cohen of film
One of all fours? Container words 2019 film whose title means “to the stars”
A dance and a dip
Cartoondom’s Olive ____
100 What a stoner actor smoked during rehearsal? 107 Beginning and end of “America”
109 “Ha-ha!”
110 Noise heard during the
London Blitz
111 Domain for Jameson and Maker’s Mark? 116 Curl target,
informally
117 Manual
alternative
118 Soul singer
Bridges
119 Bank investment? 120 Spanish dagger or Adam’s needle is a variety of it 121 New York football
team, informally 122 Apt rhyme for “crude” and “rude”
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123 It may need to be
broken to move 124 Lucretia ____, abolitionist and women’s rights advocate
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Childbirth assistant
Choose to participate Concern for Superman Superman’s birth name
Like many a teenage boy’s facial hair
First Asian tennis player to be ranked
No. 1 in singles Press
Bishop’s jurisdiction
Long period
Like some evidence and bulbs
Doctor’s order I.R.S. ID
Live broadcast no-no
In
One creating draft after draft?
Andean empire member
Some clicks of the tongue
Slice of toast? Comes out ahead Dolts
Market launch, for short Amphibians that may have toxic skin
Clichéd Shakespeare villain with more lines than the title character Kindle download Skip the big ceremony, say
They’re found around Scots Bony fish with prized eggs
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“Bottled poetry,” according to Robert Louis Stevenson
Active Sicilian volcano
Filled with wonder
Without concrete evidence
“Ad Parnassum” and “Fish Magic,” for two
Metaphor for a shared experience Be more important than Exaggerated kiss sound
Fuss
Legal title: Abbr. He wrote lyrics to “My Way” for Sinatra
Channel with a lot of house renovation shows Keeps in the loop, in a way Give a start
Prez with a rhyming campaign slogan Lab work
Cause of some brain freeze It comes in California and New York styles Covered in vines Celebrity who holds the Guinness world record for “Most Frequent Clapper”
Half and half? Gallivants
On the safe side Ancient kingdom in modern-day Jordan
Elusive, in a way Words to learn, briefly
In itself: Lat.
“Oh, come on!” Aggressive pitch
Physically fit
Rock song?
Big cut of tuna
No. 0214
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Fill with wonder Attaches, as a button
Some shop tools “Now it makes sense!”
“____ So Bad” (Tom Petty song) 101 Flying ____ drop (pro wrestling move)
102 Shocks, in a way 103 Hip bone
104 Classic brand of
wafers
105 Upright
106 The Apostle of
Ireland, familiarly 107 It might come in a
branded tote bag 108 Buddy
112 “____-haw!”
113 Laid up
114 Formerly called 115 Perón of politics
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Answer To Last Week’s Puzzle:
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