Wade Hudson Presents New Book in East Orange
The author visited the East Orange Public Library to share his latest work, Black Boys, I See You, with local readers.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in African-American
Author Wade Hudson visited the East Orange Public Library to discuss his recently published book, Black Boys, I See You. The event featured a public reading and a Q&A session focused on his latest literary work.
Why it matters
The appearance highlights the ongoing contributions of independent, Black-owned publishers to children's literature. Hudson’s work continues to gain national recognition for its focus on themes of human rights.
Just Us Books, the publisher behind the project, was founded nearly 40 years ago as an independent, Black-owned business. The book features illustrations by Keith Mallett.
The players
Wade Hudson
He is an author and co-founder of Just Us Books who received the Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature in 2022.
Keith Mallett
He is an illustrator who provided the artwork for the book Black Boys, I See You.
Just Us Books
This is an independent, Black-owned children's book publisher that has operated for nearly 40 years.
The details
During the event, Hudson read excerpts from his book while accompanying illustrations were displayed for the audience. The program concluded with an interactive question-and-answer session.
Timeline
October 2026: Wade Hudson appeared at the East Orange Public Library.
2022: Wade Hudson received the Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature.
2022: Wade Hudson received The Carle Honors.
Culture Shift
The author's public appearance highlights the growing emphasis on diverse representation within the publishing industry established by the Malka Penn Award for Human Rights in Children's Literature. This movement signals a departure from legacy industry standards toward more inclusive storytelling.
Local readers can access the new title through regional libraries and independent book retailers. The event provides community members with direct insight into the creative process behind contemporary children's literature.
The takeaway
Authors who engage directly with local readers foster deeper community connections and broaden the reach of their work. Readers interested in diverse children's literature can support independent publishers by attending local author events.
Further reading
For more stories on local literary figures and events, visit the East Orange African-American section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Essexnewsdaily.
