On a day when everything seems to be going wrong, from cloudy skies to the cancellation of a favorite cartoon, a boy discovers what a difference his attitude can make.

Just For You! Low-down Bad-day Blues

Children's Books

Barnes, Derrick

Literature & Fiction

Teaching Resources

Rhyming words help a grade-schooler deal with his angry feelings in a more constructive way.

Just For You!: Stop, Drop, And Chll

All it takes is a loving teacher to help a boy get control of his sizzling superpowers, in this vibrant picture book by bestselling author Derrick Barnes. 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.

Like Lava In My Veins

Science Fiction & Fantasy

Nancy Paulsen Books

Winner of the&nbsp;NCTE Charlotte Huck Award! An upbeat, empowering, important picture book from the team that created the award-winning Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut 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!

I Am Every Good Thing

Growing Up & Facts of Life

A confident little Black girl has a fantastic first day of school in this companion to the New York Times bestseller The King of Kindergarten.\nMJ 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 The King of Kindergarten, this is the perfect book to reinforce back-to-school excitement and build confidence in the newest students.\nFrom School Library Journal\nPreS-K—The pair behind the wonderful King of Kindergarten is back with the story of a young girl who is starting kindergarten, and this book has more of a narrative than its predecessor. MJ goes to school with a clear sense of purpose to wear her crown and let her powers make the day better for everyone around her. MJ's mom sent her off to brighten every room, be caring and kind, and to be always helpful to others. As the day progresses, MJ has the opportunity to live out each of those statements and help her classmates. This title is outstanding not only for setting forth worthwhile goals for a child, but giving concrete examples of what those virtuous statements look like in the real world. Warm, loving illustrations accompany a text that is even better than the first title. VERDICT Highly recommended for all royalty entering kindergarten, as well as others who can see themselves bringing their special gifts to make their school, and world, better by their actions and positive spirit.—John Scott

The Queen of Kindergarten

We all know that Santa Claus is one cool dude! But how is he as a houseguest? Find out in this hilarious picture book by bestselling author Derrick Barnes!\nThe number one thing on Monte and Mabel’s Christmas wish list is the chance to hang out with Santa Claus. So when his sleigh breaks down in their yard as he’s finishing up his last delivery, they couldn’t be more delighted--Santa’s gonna stay with them while he waits for spare parts to be delivered! It’s a dream come true . . . or is it? It turns out Santa doesn’t have a lot of experience being a houseguest, and likes to rock out late at night and swigs spaghetti sauce from the jar. But when he messes with Dad’s motorcycle and Mabel’s computer tablet, he’s gone a step too far and the whole family agrees--Santa’s gotta go! But how on earth do you kick out Santa Claus?\nReaders will get a kick out of this hilarious holiday tale by New York Times bestselling author Derrick Barnes, with its funny reminder to be careful what you wish for and to remember that sharing the holiday spirit can take a lot of goodwill.

Santa's Gotta Go!

Humor

Yo soy cada cosa buena (Spanish Edition)

Education & Reference

The King of Kindergarten

Selected by Oprah Magazine as one of its 'essential books for discussing racism with kids'. 
I ama 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 … 
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

Farshore

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice

A 2022 National Book Award for Young People's Literature Finalist 
“Phenomenal . . . Timely and timeless, a must-read not just for sports fans but for everyone.”?New York Times Book Review 
On October 16, 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 Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor 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. Black-and-white illustrations throughout

Teen & Young Adult

Smith, Tommie

Anyabwile, Dawud

Norton Young Readers

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Barnes, Derrick. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Barnes, Derrick

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Barnes, Derrick. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Just For You! Low-down Bad-day Blues

Just For You!: Stop, Drop, And Chll

Like Lava In My Veins

I Am Every Good Thing

The Queen of Kindergarten

Santa's Gotta Go!

Yo soy cada cosa buena (Spanish Edition)

The King of Kindergarten

I Am Every Good Thing

Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice