Previous research has demonstrated that African American children do not always relate to the literature available in their classrooms. The study examined fifth-grade students' responses to African American literature to determine the criteria students use to select books. Students' selection criteria were then compared with teachers' selection criteria. Students wanted African American literature that had realistic plots and book covers and that included characters that were similar to themselves and their families. However, the books available in teachers' classrooms did not reflect these criteria. These findings suggest that teachers know the types of books students would want to read but may not have the time or resources to make the books available in their classrooms. (Contains 4 tables and 1 figure.)