Picture a storyteller who weaves hope, heritage, and heart into every page—meet Tami Charles! This New York Times bestselling author has captured young readers with her vibrant children’s and young adult books, tackling themes like race, identity, and resilience with lyrical grace. From her acclaimed All Because You Matter to her powerful middle-grade novel Like Vanessa, Charles’s stories are a beacon for dreamers everywhere.
A former teacher turned full-time author, Charles brings her classroom passion to her writing, crafting narratives that reflect the diverse world she champions. Her journey from Newark classrooms to literary stardom is as inspiring as the characters she creates.
The Making of Tami Charles
Growing up in Newark, New Jersey, Tami Charles was surrounded by stories, even if they didn’t always reflect her own. Raised in a family of educators—her mother served as a teacher, vice-principal, and principal at her elementary school—Charles was steeped in a culture of learning. As a young girl, she devoured books by Judy Blume and Beverly Cleary, but noticed a lack of characters who looked like her. This gap sparked her lifelong mission to write diverse stories. Before her author days, Charles explored the spotlight as part of an all-girl R&B group in the 1990s, performing on BET and at the Apollo. Though the music career was short-lived, it fueled her storytelling flair. Her teaching career, spanning 14 years, reignited her childhood dream of writing, thanks to her students’ encouragement.
Tami Charles’s Unforgettable Stories
Charles’s bibliography is a treasure trove of heart and history. Her middle-grade debut, Like Vanessa (2018), follows a young girl inspired by Vanessa Williams to chase her dreams amidst a school pageant. The novel earned three starred reviews and a Junior Library Guild selection, lauded for its authentic voice and exploration of self-worth. All Because You Matter (2020), a lyrical picture book illustrated by Bryan Collier, is a love letter to Black and brown children, affirming their value in a challenging world. It became a New York Times bestseller and resonated deeply during conversations about racial justice.
Her young adult novel-in-verse, Muted (2021), draws from Charles’s own music industry experiences, exposing the exploitation faced by young artists. It was a BuzzFeed Top 40 pick, praised for its raw honesty. Ketanji Brown Jackson: A Justice for All (2023) celebrates the first Black woman Supreme Court Justice with poetic prose, earning starred reviews for its inspiring narrative. Charles’s style blends rhythmic language, cultural pride, and emotional depth, making her stories accessible yet profound.
Why Tami Charles Matters
Tami Charles’s impact stretches far beyond the page. Her books fill a critical gap in children’s literature, offering mirrors for young readers of color and windows for others to understand diverse experiences. Through school visits and speaking engagements, she empowers the next generation to find their voices, just as her students once did for her. Her work has been spotlighted on Good Morning America, CBS Mornings, and in Essence, cementing her as a cultural force. Charles’s stories don’t just entertain—they heal, inspire, and remind readers that their dreams are valid.
- Birthplace: Newark, New Jersey
- Key Works: Like Vanessa, All Because You Matter, Muted, Ketanji Brown Jackson: A Justice for All
- Awards: New York Times Bestseller, Junior Library Guild Selection, multiple starred reviews
- Fun Fact: She once sang in an R&B group that performed on BET!
Snag All Because You Matter or Like Vanessa and dive into Tami Charles’s world of hope and heritage today!