Great children’s fiction that explores Black british history
There are amazing non fiction books that are starting to bring the depth and breath of Black British history to life for kids but there’s also an important role for these stories and individuals to become part of fictional adventure stories as well. I’m a big fan of both the Voices series of books that does this brilliantly, and the Lizzie and Belle Mysteries by J T Williams. Not every kid wants to read a non fiction book and the more different kinds of stories and media that explore stories of Jaques Francis, Pablo Fanque or Ignatio Sancho, the richer our history will be.
Diver’s Daughter: A Tudor Story by Patrice Lawrence - explores the experience of Jacques Francis - a Black Tudor diver through the world of Eve and her mother, on a thrilling adventure from London to the southern coast
Son of the Circus: A Victorian Story by E L Norry - the story of Ted whose life is upended when he is sent to live with his father, Pablo Fanque - the first Black circus owner in Britain.
Empire’s End: A Roman Story by Leila Rasheed - the story of a North African girl, Camilla, travelling to the edge of Britannica in 207AD.
The Lizzie & Belle Mysteries Drama and Danger by J T Williams - the daughter of Ignatius Sancho and Dido Belle, race to discover the identity of a potential murderer in Georgian Britain.