Derrick Barnes Standalone Novels books in order

A collection of standalone novels and picture books by Derrick Barnes, including the Caldecott Honor book Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut.

Reading order

# Title Published Author Buy on Amazon
1 The Making of Dr. Truelove 2006 Derrick Barnes Buy
2 We Could Be Brothers 2010 Derrick Barnes Buy
3 Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut 2017 Derrick Barnes Buy
4 I Am Every Good Thing 2020 Derrick Barnes Buy
5 The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze 2025 Derrick Barnes Buy

These standalone titles from Derrick Barnes range from young adult novels to picture books. The Making of Dr. Truelove was his first novel, published in 2006, and We Could Be Brothers followed in 2010 with a story about two middle school boys who look alike but lead very different lives.

His later standalone works lean toward picture books. Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut became one of the most celebrated picture books of 2017, and I Am Every Good Thing continued in that same spirit of affirming young Black boys. The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze, set for 2025, is his most recent addition.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Derrick Barnes Standalone Novels series?

There are five books in the Derrick Barnes Standalone Novels series, published between 2006 and 2025.

What is the first book in the Derrick Barnes Standalone Novels series?

The first book in the Derrick Barnes Standalone Novels series is The Making of Dr. Truelove, published in 2006.

Which Derrick Barnes standalone book has won the most awards?

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (2017) has received the most recognition, earning a Caldecott Honor, a Newbery Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, among other awards.

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