Gwendolyn Brooks published 2 novels, 4 non-fiction books, 13 poetry collections and 4 other books, beginning with Selected Poems (P.S.) (1963). The best-known is Maud Martha (1971).
Updated September 2026
Where to start with Gwendolyn Brooks
Start here
Maud Martha
Gwendolyn Brooks's most-read book.
Standalone novels in order
Maud Martha (1971)
The Tiger Who Wore White Gloves (1974)
Non-fiction in order
A Portion of That Field (1967)
Report from Part One (1972)
Report from Part Two (1993)
Conversations with Gwendolyn Brooks (2003)
Poetry in order
Annie Allen (1949)
Bronzeville Boys and Girls (1956)
The Bean Eaters (1960)
Selected Poems (P.S.) (1963)
In Montgomery, and Other Poems (1967)
In the Mecca (1968)
Family Pictures (1970)
The World of Gwendolyn Brooks (1971)
The Poetry of Black America (1973)
Capsule Course in Black Poetry Writing (1975)
Primer for Blacks (1980)
Sotheby's International Poetry Competition (1984)
The Near-Johannesburg Boy, and Other Poems (1991)
Other books in order
A Street in Bronzeville (1945)
Riot (1969)
Blacks (1987)
The Essential Gwendolyn Brooks (American Poets Project) (2005)
About Gwendolyn Brooks
Gwendolyn Elizabeth Brooks was an American poet, author, and teacher. Her work often dealt with the personal celebrations and struggles of ordinary people in her community. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry on May 1, 1950, for Annie Allen, making her the first African American to receive a Pulitzer Prize.
Biography from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Gwendolyn Brooks FAQ
- How many books has Gwendolyn Brooks written?
- Gwendolyn Brooks published 2 novels, 4 non-fiction books, 13 poetry collections and 4 other books that we list, as of September 2026.
- What order should I read Gwendolyn Brooks's books in?
- Publication order is a safe choice; the full list is above. Most readers start with Maud Martha.
- What is Gwendolyn Brooks's last book?
- Report from Part Two (1993).
- What is Gwendolyn Brooks's most famous book?
- Maud Martha (1971) is Gwendolyn Brooks's most widely read book.
Authors like Gwendolyn Brooks
Sources: book lists and dates from Wikidata and Open Library, ratings from Open Library readers. Last updated September 2026.