Vaunda's Books
To obtain multiple copies at discounted prices for author events contact Lerner Publishing Group at 1-800-328-4929 or Penguin Random House at 1-800-726-0600.
Click on the book’s cover or title to learn more about the book.
Radiant
Dutton, 7 Jan 2025
School Library Journal, starred review
2026 Notable Children’s Book (Association for Library Service to Children) 2026 Notable Verse Novel (National Council of Teachers of English) Jane Addams Children’s Book Award, 2026 Chapter Book Finalist 2026 Notable Book for a Global Society 2025 School Library Journal Best Books of the Year 2025 Junior Library Guild Selection Paul Rhetts Award (Best in Show), 2025 New Mexico Book Award 2025 New Mexico Book Award, Juvenile category 2025 Black Authors Matter Children’s Book Award, Social Commentary/Justice Categoryreviewed in Booklist
reviewed in The Horn Book
reviewed in Kirkus Reviews
reviewed in Publishers Weekly
Ready? Set. Puppies!
Illustrations by Derek Anderson
Random House, 2024
reviewed in School Library Journal
Small Shoes, Great Strides
Illustrations by Alex Bostic
Carolrhoda Books, 2023
Publishers Weekly, starred review
Booklist, starred review
Foreword, starred review
The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
School Library Journal, starred review
Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, Winner, 2024
Booklist Editor’s Choice, Notable Books, 2023
Dogwood Readers Award Finalist, Short-listed, 2024
Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor Book, Commended, 2025
New Mexico-Arizona Book Award, Winner, 2024
Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List, Winner
2025 Black Authors Matter Children’s Book Award, Educational Category
Ready? Set. Rides!
Illustrations by Derek Anderson
Random House, 2023
Ready? Set. Birthday!
Illustrations by Derek Anderson
Random House, 2022
Chicago Public Library Best of the Best list for Fiction for Younger Readers
reviewed in School Library Journal
Let ’er Buck! George Fletcher, the People’s Champion
Illustrations by Gordon C. James
Carolrhoda Books, 2019
2020 American Library Association (ALA) Notable Children’s Book
2019 Booklist Top 10 Biographies for Youth
Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and the March on Washington
Illustrations by Sally Wern Comport
Random House Children’s Books, 2017
School Library Journal, starred review
Don’t Call Me Grandma
Illustrations by Elizabeth Zunon
Carolrhoda Books, 2016
A Best Book of 2016, National Public Radio
The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth & Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore
Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie
Carolrhoda Books, 2015
2013 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
2016 Jane Addams Children’s Book Honor
Booklist, starred review
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
No Crystal Stair: A Documentary Novel of the Life and Work of Lewis Michaux, Harlem Bookseller
Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie
Carolrhoda Lab, 2012
2012 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction
2013 Coretta Scott King Author Honor
Best of Show, 2012 New Mexico–Arizona Book Awards
The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Publishers Weekly, starred review
School Library Journal, starred review
Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves, Deputy U. S. Marshal
Illustrations by R. Gregory Christie
Carolrhoda Books, 2009
2010 Coretta Scott King Author Award
2010 Simon Wiesenthal “Once Upon a World” Children’s Book Award
Carter G. Woodson Honor Book
2010 Western Writers of America Spur Finalist
Washington Post Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
The Horn Book Magazine, starred review
Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Publishers Weekly, starred review
School Library Journal, starred review
Juneteenth
Co-author: Drew Nelson
Illustrations by Mark Schroder
Millbrook Press, 2006
Children’s Book Committee at Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year
Almost to Freedom
Illustrations by Colin Bootman
Carolrhoda Books, 2003
2004 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
Ready? Set. Raymond!
Illustrations by Derek Anderson
Random House, 2002
Other Books
Click on the book’s cover or title to learn more about the book.
Who Will I Be, Lord?
Illustrations by Sean Qualls
Random House, 2009 (o.p.)
“Highly Commended,” Charlotte Zolotow Award Committee, Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CBC)
Beyond Mayfield
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1999 (o.p.)
1999 Parents’ Choice Gold Award
Possibles
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1995 (o.p.)
Mayfield Crossing
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1993 (o.p.)
27th Georgia Children’s Book Award
Booklist, starred review
Always Gramma
Illustrations by Kimanne Uhler
G. P. Putnam’s Sons, 1988 (o.p.)
Children’s Book Council (CBC) Notable Children’s Trade Book in the Field of Social Studies
Poetry
“What Am I?” Cricket, February 2005
“Family,” Cricket, June 2001
“Snow White,” Cicada, May/June 1999