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Danez Smith, one of America's most popular young poets and the author of Don't Call Us Dead, recommends his 5 favorite books.

Lilith 's Brood by Octavia E. Butler (1989)

This book about aliens from the novelist who predicted "Make America Great Again" asks necessary questions about the harmful structures which we put our faith in despite our intelligence, and also how or if we will evolve out of our most dangerous selves. An essential, human book — with aliens!

The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton (2012)

The book is my bible. Open up to any page and Clifton delivers a word. Whether the subject is roaches, family, death, or surviving, she has a poem for all occasions. She can create the most complicated magic out of the simplest words.

Man vs. Sky by Corey Zeller (2013)

In his brief prose poems, Zeller represents the voice of a recently dead friend as he travels through the afterlife. Besides attracting me with its beauty to this day, it taught me that we can offer the dead not just our grief but our imaginations and dreams as well.

My Hero Academia by Kohei Horikoshi (2014)

I'm a big fan for high school drama, superpowers, good-hearted heroes, and complicated bad characters. This manga(¶¯Âþ) series is one of my favorite escapes. In a world where everybody and their mama has a superpower (literally), what makes someone a hero isn't about power or strength but about the desire to make people smile. Instant tears.

Deus Ex Nigrum by Jasmine Reid (2019)

I recently picked this chapbook for a prize. It's a marvel of language and heart. Reid's lyrics map the ordinary and the extraordinary with rare and invigorating skill. In a world and a country ever dangerous to the black people, this poet says," If I am to be a twist ending, let it be that I lived." I am so excited to follow Reid's poems into the future.

1£®Which author describes people from other planets?

A£®Kohei Horikoshi.                     B£®Octavia E. Butler.

C£®Jasmine Reid.                        D£®Corey Zeller.

2£®In which book can we find something about racial justice?

A£®Lilith's Brood.                      B£®My Hero Academia.

C£®Man vs. Sky.                         D£®Deus Ex Nigrum.

3£®What can we learn from the text? 

A£®Clifton makes full use of simple words.

B£®My Hero Academia has won National Book Award.

C£®In a world of superpowers, people have a desire to smile.

D£®Corey Zeller's friend was very creative and imaginative.