Black History Month Recommendations
Black History Month is a great time to celebrate and learn about the achievements of Black scientists, politicians, activists, artists, and more who have left their mark on U.S. history. Use this month (and every month) to support Black authors, learn about Black history, and celebrate diversity.
These recommendations have been provided by The Children’s Diversity and Justice Library. This list is a mix of award-winning books and lesser-known titles. All books are available or will be available to borrow from the CDJL. Click here for information on how to borrow these books.
Board Books
The Story of Rap. Editors of Caterpillar Books with art by Lindsey Sagar.
The Roots of Rap: 16 Bars on the 4 Pillars of Hip-Hop by Carole Boston Weatherford with art by Frank Morrison.
Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison.
Follow Your Dreams, Little One by Vashti Harrison
Picture Books (~ 4 - 8 years)
There Was A Party for Langston by Jason Reynolds with art by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey.
We Wait for the Sun by Dovey Johnson Roundtree and Kate McCabe with art by Raissa Figueroa.
The 1619 Project:Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renee Watson with art by Nikkolas Smith
The Magic Shell by Jillian Christmas with art by Diana G. A. Mungaray
The Green Piano: How Little Me Found Music by Roberta Flack and Tonya Bolden with art by Harden Goodman
Picture Book - Juvenile (~4 - 10 years)
When We Say Black Lives Matter by Maxine Beneba Clarke
Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual by Carole Boston Weatherford with art by Frank Morrison
We Shall Overcome by Bryan Collier
Juvenile (~7 - 10)
Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Shannon Wright.
Saving American Beach: The Biography of African American Environmentalist MaVynee Betsch by Heidi Tyline King with art by Ekua Holmes
Middle Grades (~ 8 - 12) and up
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford (10 - 14 years)
Proud (Young Readers Edition): Living My American Dream by Ibithaj Muhammad (10 - 13 years)
