J.D. and the Great Barber Battle

J.D. and the Great Barber Battle (2021) by J. Dillard is the first book in the J.D. the Kid Barber series and serves as a semi-biographical account of the events that led Dillard to become a Master Barber. The story follows young Black protagonist J.D. through the poor outcome of his first haircut, after which he overcomes challenge after challenge to find his confidence, gain pride in his abilities, and become the best barber in his hometown. 

J. Dillard is a self-titled “Barberpreneur” and a Master Barber who is world-renowned for his hairstyles and motivational stance on taking pride in one’s appearance. He cut his own hair for the first time at age 10 and opened his first barbershop in 1999 while attending Tuskegee University, and these early forays led to a 22-year-long career as a barber. Today, Dillard travels the world with his clients and uses his writing to inspire children to follow their dreams. In 2021, J.D. and the Great Barber Battle was named a Best Books selection by School Library Journal, the Chicago Public Library, and the New York Public Library, and it was listed for several awards, including the Texas Bluebonnet Award and the NCTE Charlotte Huck Award.