Book Lists

Celebrate Black Voices and Stories

Books for Black History Month and Beyond

Champion empowering stories about Black culture, experiences, and history, and joy by adding these titles by Black authors and illustrators to your classroom or school library.

Featured Titles for All Ages

Featured Picture Books

Black Hands

Black Hands

Carole Boston Weatherford

Commemorate the innumerable ways the African American community has shaped the foundation of the United States in this stunning, poetic picture book from the Caldecott Honor-winning team behind Freedom in Congo Square.

Down on the Bayou

Down on the Bayou

Glenda Armand

From the award-winning creators of Ice Cream Man and Good Things comes a journey through the mystical world of the Louisiana Bayou. Follow along as a young boy learns about the environment and the history of the bayou while on a boat ride with his grandpa. This stunning picture book features sidebars with fun facts and snippets of a poem woven throughout the narrative.

The Gathering Table

The Gathering Table

Antwan Eady

The author of Nigel and the Moon delivers a joyful picture book about how a Southern family gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations that highlight the importance of family, community, and coming together.

Let It Shine!

Let It Shine!

Carole Boston Weatherford

From the Newbery Honor-winning author of Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom comes a joyful picture book set to “This Little Light of Mine.” With a unique jacket and case cover, it’s the perfect gift for all of life’s milestones.

Ode to Grapefruit

Ode to Grapefruit

Kari Lavelle

Before legendary actor James Earl Jones was recognized for his memorable, smooth voice, he was just James–a stutterer who stopped speaking for eight years as a child…and ultimately found his voice through poetry.

The People Could Fly: The Picture Book

The People Could Fly: The Picture Book

Virginia Hamilton

Virginia Hamilton’s Coretta Scott King Honor book is the breathtaking fantasy tale of slaves who possessed ancient magic that enabled them to fly away to freedom. And it is a moving tale of those who did not have the opportunity to “fly” away, who remained slaves with only their imaginations to set them free as they told and retold this tale.

Ramadan Rain

Ramadan Rain

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

In this heartwarming celebration of family and faith, join Haneen and her Momma as they celebrate Eid and the end of Ramadan with prayers made on a rainy day.

Featured Middle Grade

Abolition and the African American Story

Abolition and the African American Story

Patricia Williams Dockery

Until now, you’ve only heard one side of the story: how Abraham Lincoln defeated the Confederacy to end slavery, but the truth involves a vast network of abolitionists who would keep fighting for freedom long after the end of the war. Here’s the true story of the Civil War and Reconstruction, from the African American perspective.

Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

Michelle Obama

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Michelle Obama’s worldwide bestselling memoir, Becoming, has been adapted for young readers.

Black Boy Joy

Black Boy Joy

Kwame Mbalia

THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • FIVE STARRED REVIEWS

Celebrate the joys of Black boyhood with stories from seventeen bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors—including Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia.

★ “Pick up Black Boy Joy for a heavy dose of happiness.” —Booklist, starred review

Bud, Not Buddy

Bud, Not Buddy

Christopher Paul Curtis

The Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning classic about a boy who decides to hit the road to find his father—from Christopher Paul Curtis, recipient of the Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement.

Hattie Mae Begins Again

Hattie Mae Begins Again

Sharon G. Flake

From the three-time Coretta Scott King Honor winning author of The Skin I’m In comes a poignant story about a southern girl far from home at an elite girls boarding school in the north, who must find the courage to be herself and to dream of a brighter future, set against the backdrop of the great migration in South Philly.

Slavery and the African American Story

Slavery and the African American Story

Patricia Williams Dockery

Until now, you’ve only heard one side of the story: how slavery began, and how America split itself in two to end it. Here’s the true story of America from the African American perspective.

This Is Your Time

This Is Your Time

Ruby Bridges

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • CBC KIDS’ BOOK CHOICE AWARD WINNER

Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges—who, at the age of six, was the first black child to integrate into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans—inspires readers and calls for action in this moving letter.

Featured Young Adult

145th Street: Short Stories

145th Street: Short Stories

Walter Dean Myers

From the award-winning author of Monster, this collection of powerful and poignant stories about 145th Streetan unforgettable block in the heart of Harlem—celebrates African-American life in all of its glory.

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

A Bird in the Air Means We Can Still Breathe

Mahogany L. Browne

LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD • A powerful, genre-bending mosaic of fiction and poetry that celebrates the humanity, grace, and resilience of teenage New Yorkers riding out the pandemic—from the award-winning author of Chlorine Sky

The Color of a Lie

The Color of a Lie

Kim Johnson

In 1955, a Black family passes for white and moves to a “Whites Only” town in the suburbs. Caught between two worlds, a teen boy puts his family at risk as he uncovers racist secrets about his suburb. A new social justice thriller from the acclaimed author of This Is My America!

Coming Home (Adapted for Young Adults)

Coming Home (Adapted for Young Adults)

Brittney Griner, Michelle Burford

From basketball icon Brittney Griner comes a captivating memoir about her journey from early athletic stardom to her page-turning account of how she persevered in a Russian prison—now adapted for young adults.

I Don't Wish You Well

I Don't Wish You Well

Jumata Emill

A teen investigative podcaster decides to dig into the truth behind a grisly murder spree that rocked his hometown five years ago, but soon discovers that this cold case is still hiding deadly secrets—in this chilling thriller perfect for fans of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.

Lovely One (Adapted for Young Adults)

Lovely One (Adapted for Young Adults)

Ketanji Brown Jackson

The New York Times bestselling memoir now adapted for young adults! Ketanji Brown Jackson, the first Black woman to ever be appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court, chronicles her life story and her extraordinary path to becoming a jurist on America’s highest court in this inspiring, intimate memoir.

The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults)

The Swans of Harlem (Adapted for Young Adults)

Karen Valby

Meet five amazing Black ballerinas from The Dance Theater of Harlem, including some of the founding members. They broke barriers and made history in the world of classical dance, at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major dance companies.

Discover even more great books for Black History Month and all year long!

Picture Books & Early Readers

All Rise: The Story of Ketanji Brown Jackson

Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Ashley Evans

Blue

Nana Ekua Brew-Hammond; illustrated by Daniel Minter

Born Ready

Jodie Patterson; illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Carnival Queen

Donette Williams-Harry; illustrated by Amélie-Anne Calmo

Curve & Flow

Andrea J. Loney; illustrated by Keith Mallett

Double Bass Blues

Andrea J. Loney; illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez

Dream Street

Tricia Elam Walker; illustrated by Ekua Holmes

The Faith of Elijah Cummings

Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Laura Freeman

The Green Piano

Roberta Flack with Tonya Bolden; illustrated by Hayden Goodman

Harlem's Little Blackbird

Renee Watson; illustrated by Christian Robinson

Ice Cream Man

Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman; illustrated by Keith Mallet

Juneteenth: Our Day of Freedom

Sharon Dennis Wyeth; illustrated by Kim Holt

The Last Stand

Antwan Eady; illustrated by Jerome & Jarrett Pumphrey

Little Rosetta and the Talking Guitar

Written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Mae Makes a Way

Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich; illustrated by Andrea Pippins

The Night Before Freedom

Glenda Armand; illustrated by Corey Barksdale

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

Rita Lorraine Hubbard; illustrated by Oge Mora

Shirley Chisholm Dared

Alicia D. Williams; illustrated by April Harrison

Standing in the Need of Prayer

Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Frank Morrison

Sweet Justice

Mara Rockliff; illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Together We Are Sunshine

Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow; illustrated by Raissa Figueroa

Twins, but Different

Porsche Thomas; illustrated by Jessica Gibson

Two Artists, Grandad and Me

Written and illustrated by Charnelle Pinkney Barlow

Middle Grade

A Mighty Long Way (Adapted for Young Readers)

Carlotta Walls LaNier with Lisa Frazier Page

Brave. Black. First.

Cheryl Willis Hudson; illustrated by Erin K. Robinson

The Dark-Thirty

Patricia C McKissack; illustrated by Brian Pinkney

History Smashers: The Underground Railroad

Kate Messner and Gwendolyn Hooks; illustrated by Damon Smyth

Recognize!

Edited by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

The Talk

Edited By Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson

Young Adult

Featured Digital Resources

The Gathering Table

Activities

The Gathering Table

Creator Q&A

Race to the Truth

Series Guide

Black Boy Joy

Educators’ Guide

Bud, Not Buddy

Educators’ Guide

Hattie Mae Begins Again

Educators’ Guide

This is Your Time

Educators’ Guide

Mahogany L. Browne

Author Study Guide

Kim Johnson

Author Study Guide

Featured Video Resources

Black Boy Joy: Books for All Ages Celebrating Black Boyhood

As Kwame Mbalia writes in the introduction for Black Boy Joy: “The term [Black Boy Joy] was coined back in 2016 by Danielle Young and has grown to encompass the revelry, the excitement, the sheer fun of growing up as boys in and out of the hood. Their stories—our stories—deserve to be highlighted on the afternoon news. Explored. Seen and celebrated.”

We’ve gathered a list of books that do just that. Spanning age groups, genres, settings, and themes, these stories have one important thing in common: they center Black boyhood and all the beauty that comes with it.

Explore Titles and Resources

Featured Resources for Black History Month and Beyond

Encourage discussion and guide conversation this Black History Month and all year long with these FREE downloadable educators’ guides and videos. Featuring thoughtful questions, writing prompts, extension activities, and more, these age-appropriate resources are designed to promote critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity in young readers while teaching them invaluable lessons.

Explore Resources

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