In lieu of celebrating “Independence Day,” we present a selection of titles that explore the idea of liberation via the lives, poetry, history and art of people of color.

The scholar and author discusses her new book, “Ghosts in the Schoolyard: Racism and School Closings on Chicago’s South Side,” and the Riri Williams comic series for Marvel.

The writer draws on her Chicago expertise to pen the series about the brilliant Black teenage girl who takes up Iron Man’s mantle.