Age Level 6-9
28 Days: Moments in Black History that Changed the World
By: Charles Smith
Illustrated by: Shane Evans
Genre: Nonfiction
Each day in the book features a different influential figure in African American history.
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Day of Freedom
By: Angela Johnson
Illustrated by: E.B. Lewis
Genre: Poetry, Historical Fiction
The story of Juneteenth told through the eyes of a little girl.
Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman
By: Louise Borden, Mary Kay Kroeger
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Bessie Coleman grew up picking cotton in Texas but later became the first African American woman aviator.
Age Level: 3-6
A Chair for My Mother
By: Vera Williams
Genre: Fiction
A Caldecott Honor book. A fire destroys Rosa’s family home. They save their money to purchase a big chair. This book celebrates family, love, and strength. There is also a Spanish version of this book.
Amazing Grace
By: Mary Hoffman
Illustrated by: Caroline Binch
Genre: Fiction
Grace wants to play Peter Pan in a school play but some kids tell her she can’t play that part because of the way she looks. Grace’s grandmother helps Grace realize that she can she can do anything if she puts in the effort.
Anansi the Spider: A Tale from the Ashanti
By: Gerald McDermott
Genre: Fiction, Folk Tales, Fairytales
The Ashanti legend of how the Moon was placed in the sky.
Bigmama’s
By: Donald Crews
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
This autobiographical book tells the story of the narrator’s summers with his grandmother, Bigmama.
Age 9-12
Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglas, a Monumental American Man
By: Tonya Bolden
Genre: Biography, Nonfiction
This is an engaging look at the life and contributions of Frederick Douglas.
How to Build a Museum: Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture
By: Tonya Bolden
Genre: Nonfiction
The first national museum whose mission is to illuminate the important contributions of African Americans is opening. Award-winning author Tonya Bolden has written an engaging chronicle of how all the ideas, ambitions, and actual objects came together in one amazing museum.
Age 13-16
March: Book One
By: John Lewis, Andrew Aydin
Illustrated by: Nate Powell
Genre: Biography, Nonfiction
John Lewis, son of a sharecropper, grew up to be an activist and a U.S. Congressman. He played a crucial role in the 1960s Civil Rights Movement. This Biography tells his story.
The Gold Cadillac
By: Mildred Taylor
Illustrated By: Michael Hays
Genre: Nonfiction, Biography
Lois and Wilma are proud when their dad buys a brand new gold Cadillac; except their mom won’t ride in it. On a road trip they realize they are getting glances of suspicion about a black man having such a nice car. Lois sees racism for the first time.
Black Enough
By: Ibi Zoboi and 17 Contributors
Genre: Realistic Fiction
What does it mean to be black? This eye opening book covers various black contributor’s definition of being black.
Ages 16+
The Hate U Give
By: Thomas, Angie
Genre: Fiction
After witnessing her friend’s death at the hands of a police officer, Starr Carter’s life is complicated when the police and a local drug lord try to intimidate her in an effort to learn what happened the night Kahlil died.
Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now
By: Dana L. Davis
Genre: Fiction
Tiffany lost her mom to cancer and has to leave her hometown of Chicago to go live with her biological father who she has never known. Her father is rich and lives a totally different lifestyle than what she’s used to. Tiffany has a secret. Another man claims to be Tiffany’s real dad.
Meet Cute
By: Cotungo, Katie; LaCoour, Nina; Zoboi, Lbi Aanu; McGee, Katharine; Shepard, Sara; Russo, Meredith; Clayton, Dhonielle; Lord, Emery; Arrmentrout, Jennifer; Davies, Jocelyn; Morgan, Kass; Murphy, Julie; Fitzpatrick, Huntley; and Yoon, Nichola
Genre: Short Stories
A collection of short stories exploring the moment when a couple meets for the first time.