Photos: Top Black Authors and Books

These African-American authors helped to shape their generations.

Ann Petry “The Street” - Petry became the first Black female writer to top more than 1 million in book sales with her very first novel, <i> The Street </i>, published in 1946. Set in 1940s Harlem, the story centers on the hardships of main character Lutie Johnson, a single Black mother, as she struggles to survive her violent and poverty-stricken surroundings with her young son Bub.

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Ann Petry “The Street” - Petry became the first Black female writer to top more than 1 million in book sales with her very first novel, <i> The Street </i>, published in 1946. Set in 1940s Harlem, the story centers on the hardships of main character Lutie Johnson, a single Black mother, as she struggles to survive her violent and poverty-stricken surroundings with her young son Bub.

Octavia Butler “Kindred” - Butler broke barriers as being one of the few African American science fictions writers, and the only science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant. Her most successful book is &lt;i&gt;Kindred &lt;/i&gt;published in 1979. In it, the main character, Dana, an African-American woman, is transported back in time to nineteenth century Maryland where she meets her ancestors who include a White slave holder.

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Octavia Butler “Kindred” - Butler broke barriers as being one of the few African American science fictions writers, and the only science fiction writer to receive the MacArthur Foundation Genius Grant. Her most successful book is <i>Kindred </i>published in 1979. In it, the main character, Dana, an African-American woman, is transported back in time to nineteenth century Maryland where she meets her ancestors who include a White slave holder.

Zora Neale Hurston “Their Eyes Were Watching - A Harlem Renaissance writer, Hurston published her most popular novel, &lt;i&gt;Their Eyes Were Watching God &lt;/i&gt;, in 1937. The book, set in early 20th century Florida, tells the story of Janie Crawford and her tragic search for love in her three marriages. The book was criticized by some for its use of phonetic spellings to showcase the region’s dialect. In 2005, it was adapted into a made-for-TV movie starring Halle Berry.

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Zora Neale Hurston “Their Eyes Were Watching - A Harlem Renaissance writer, Hurston published her most popular novel, <i>Their Eyes Were Watching God </i>, in 1937. The book, set in early 20th century Florida, tells the story of Janie Crawford and her tragic search for love in her three marriages. The book was criticized by some for its use of phonetic spellings to showcase the region’s dialect. In 2005, it was adapted into a made-for-TV movie starring Halle Berry.

Ralph Ellison “The Invisible Man” - Ellison’s most famous novel was the only one published during his lifetime (his other work was published after his death in 1994). It received the National Book Award in 1953. The book tells the life story of an unnamed African American man, who considers himself to be invisible by most of the world –a plight mirrored by other African Americans during the time.

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Ralph Ellison “The Invisible Man” - Ellison’s most famous novel was the only one published during his lifetime (his other work was published after his death in 1994). It received the National Book Award in 1953. The book tells the life story of an unnamed African American man, who considers himself to be invisible by most of the world –a plight mirrored by other African Americans during the time.

Walter Dean Myers “Monster” - Myers is an award-winning young adult author. His novel, &lt;i&gt; Monster&lt;/i&gt; , published in 1999, earned him both the Michael L. Printz and a Coretta Scott King Award in 2000. Written in a style that is part-screenplay and part-diary, &lt;i&gt;Monster&lt;/i&gt; centers on the life of 16-year-old Steve Harmon as he stands trial for his role in the murder of a Harlem drugstore owner.

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Walter Dean Myers “Monster” - Myers is an award-winning young adult author. His novel, <i> Monster</i> , published in 1999, earned him both the Michael L. Printz and a Coretta Scott King Award in 2000. Written in a style that is part-screenplay and part-diary, <i>Monster</i> centers on the life of 16-year-old Steve Harmon as he stands trial for his role in the murder of a Harlem drugstore owner.

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Harriet Jacobs ”Incidents in the Life...&quot; - Published in 1861, &lt;i&gt; Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl &lt;/i&gt;, an autobiographical work, chronicles Jacobs’ life as a slave –detailing the abuse and sexual advances she endured — and her eventual escape. Jacobs’ only book, it is heralded as being one of the first slave narratives told from an African American woman’s perspective.

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Harriet Jacobs ”Incidents in the Life..." - Published in 1861, <i> Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl </i>, an autobiographical work, chronicles Jacobs’ life as a slave –detailing the abuse and sexual advances she endured — and her eventual escape. Jacobs’ only book, it is heralded as being one of the first slave narratives told from an African American woman’s perspective.

Omar Tyree Fly Girl - Best-selling author Omar Tyree won an NAACP Image Award in 2001 for Outstanding Literature in Fiction and a Phillis Wheatley Literary Award for Body of Work in Fiction in 2006. Tyree, a 1991 Howard University graduate, published &lt;i&gt;Fly Girl&lt;/i&gt; in 1997. The novel, set in a Philadelphia suburb, follows the intelligent and attractive Tracy Ellison from childhood through most of her promiscuous teen years.

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Omar Tyree Fly Girl - Best-selling author Omar Tyree won an NAACP Image Award in 2001 for Outstanding Literature in Fiction and a Phillis Wheatley Literary Award for Body of Work in Fiction in 2006. Tyree, a 1991 Howard University graduate, published <i>Fly Girl</i> in 1997. The novel, set in a Philadelphia suburb, follows the intelligent and attractive Tracy Ellison from childhood through most of her promiscuous teen years.

Frederick Douglass “Narrative of the Life of - The former slave and well-known abolitionist published this, his first autobiography and best- known work, in 1845. The book chronicles his life in captivity, and his eventual freedom, while strongly speaking against the wrongs of the institution of slavery. The memoir is honored as being one of the most famous slave narratives.

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Frederick Douglass “Narrative of the Life of - The former slave and well-known abolitionist published this, his first autobiography and best- known work, in 1845. The book chronicles his life in captivity, and his eventual freedom, while strongly speaking against the wrongs of the institution of slavery. The memoir is honored as being one of the most famous slave narratives.

Maya Angelou ”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings&quot; - In her 1969 autobiography, former U.S. Poet Laureat Maya Angelou describes her tumultuous life from childhood to age 17. The book is the first in a six-volume series, and is also the most popular, being nominated for a National Book Award in 1970 and remaining on &lt;i&gt;The New York Times&lt;/i&gt; bestseller list for two years. Tough themes, including rape have led to the work being banned in some schools.

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Maya Angelou ”I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" - In her 1969 autobiography, former U.S. Poet Laureat Maya Angelou describes her tumultuous life from childhood to age 17. The book is the first in a six-volume series, and is also the most popular, being nominated for a National Book Award in 1970 and remaining on <i>The New York Times</i> bestseller list for two years. Tough themes, including rape have led to the work being banned in some schools.

Richard Wright “Native Son“ - Wright’s best-selling novel, &lt;i&gt;Native Son &lt;/i&gt;, was published in 1940. Set in 1930s South Side Chicago, it follows the story of Bigger Thomas, a poor “brute” Black young man, who commits a series of crimes before being caught and tried in court. The novel explores Thomas’ thoughts and feelings while making a larger point about the role racism and identity in the African Americans’ existence.

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Richard Wright “Native Son“ - Wright’s best-selling novel, <i>Native Son </i>, was published in 1940. Set in 1930s South Side Chicago, it follows the story of Bigger Thomas, a poor “brute” Black young man, who commits a series of crimes before being caught and tried in court. The novel explores Thomas’ thoughts and feelings while making a larger point about the role racism and identity in the African Americans’ existence.

Dead at 54 - Best-selling author E. Lynn Harris died today at age 54. According to Essence, the writer's personal assistant declined to give details, but did confirm that Harris' health had declined. He was in the middle of a West Coast tour to promote his 11th novel, &quot;Basketball Jones,&quot; when he passed away.

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E. Lynn Harris “Invisible Life” - Harris’ first novel, published in 1994, focused on the story of a young Black man as he struggles with his sexual identity. The story behind this novel is an inspiration in itself. While unsuccessfully trying to get a reputable publisher, Harris sold copies of <i> Invisible Life </i> out of the trunk of his car. Since then, his 10 consecutive New York Times best-sellers, which are mostly about the struggles of Black men on the “down-low,” made him one of the most successful Black gay authors.