Celebrate Black History Month

 
Ignite a Passion for Black History with Books

We celebrate the history and legacy of Black Americans throughout the year, but February is a special month. The books in this collection include some familiar change makers, such as Harriet Tubman and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., along with celebrations of the accomplishments of notable Black artists, athletes, entrepreneurs, humanitarians, and scientists. Click on each book to find downloadable (and shareable!) activities, lesson plans, leveled passages, and word games. 

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National Museum of African American History & Culture Resources

The National Museum of African American History & Culture (Smithsonian Institution) has a variety of...

What Is Juneteenth?

Written by Kirsti Jewel

On June 19, 1865, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered around a Union...

3rd - 7th

Shining Bright, Shining Black: Meeting 100 Inspiring Black Icons

Written by Jamia Wilson and Illustrated by Andrea Pippins

Shining Bright, Shining Black! is a rebound treasury of the best-selling, genre-defining Young...

2nd - 5th

Naming Cermony

Written by Seina Wedlick and Illustrated by Jenin Mohammed

Today’s the day! It’s Baby Sister’s naming ceremony, and big sister Amira could not be more excited...

Pre-K - 3rd

Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free: The True Story of the Grandmother of Juneteenth

Written by Alice Faye Duncan and Illustrated by Keturah A. Bobo

Every year, Opal looked forward to the Juneteenth picnic—a drumming, dancing, delicious party. She...

Pre-K - 3rd

J is for Juneteenth

Written by Jamariah Cross, Kimani Prince & Ariyah Webster and Illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

J is for Justice. U is for Union Army...

J Is for Juneteenth was written by three young writers as...

3rd - 5th

There Was a Party for Langston

Written by Jason Reynolds and Illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey

Back in the day, there was a heckuva party, a jam, for a word-making man. The King of Letters...

Pre-K - 3rd

Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement

Written by Angela Joy and Illustrated by Janelle Washington

Mamie Till-Mobley is the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered while...

3rd - 7th

Nesting Dolls

Written and Illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Anyiaka is in awe of her gorgeous Gullah Geechee family—she wants to be beautiful like her older...

Pre-K - 3rd

The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just

Written by Melina Mangal and Illustrated by Luisa Uribe

Ernest Everett Just was not like other scientists of his time. He saw the whole, where others saw...

1st - 5th

Simone Biles (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Nadia Fisher

Growing up in foster care, Simone's gymnastics training was an anchor in her life. She first tried...

Pre-K - 2nd

Muhammad Ali (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Brosmind

When he was little, Muhammad Ali had his bicycle stolen. He wanted to fight the thief, but a...

Pre-K - 2nd

Martin Luther King, Jr. (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Mai Ly Degnan

Little Martin grew up in a family of preachers: his dad was a preacher, his uncle was a preacher...

Pre-K - 2nd

Dwayne Johnson (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Lirios Bou

Born into a family of Samoan and Black wrestlers, little Dwayne travelled with his parents and...

Pre-K - 2nd

Harriet Tubman (Little People, BIG DREAMS)

Written by Maria Isabel Sanchez Vegara and Illustrated by Pili Aguado

Little Harriet was born into slavery on a plantation in Maryland. Though life was hard, Harriet...

Pre-K - 2nd
20802

The Day You Begin

Written by Jacqueline Woodson and Illustrated by Rafael Lopez
There are many reasons to feel different. Maybe it's how you look or talk, or where you're from...
K - 3rd

The Year We Learned to Fly

Written by Jacqueline Woodson and Illustrated by Rafael Lopez

On a dreary, stuck-inside kind of day, a brother and sister heed their grandmother’s advice: “Use...

K - 3rd

Justice Makes a Difference: The Story of Miss Freedom Fighter, Esquire

Written by Dr. Artika Tyner & Jacklyn Milton and Illustrated by Jeremy Norton & Janos Orban

"Words are powerful,' Grandma told Justice. 'They can be used in powerful ways to do good or to do...

3rd - 7th

Maya Sings Country

Written by Carylee Carrington

It's almost time for the Spring Recital. Maya chooses Country as the musical genre that she will be...

K - 4th

Saving the Day: Garrett Morgan's Life-Changing Invention of the Traffic Signal

Written by Karyn Parsons and Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie

Before Garrett Morgan became a successful inventor and saved countless lives with his creations, he...

Pre-K - 3rd

Matthew Henson and Robert Peary: The Race for the North Pole (Partners)

Written by Laurie Rozakis

This book is a biography of the two explorers who together discovered the North Pole in 1909.

3rd - 5th

Jayden's Impossible Garden

Written by Melina Mangal and Illustrated by Ken Daley

Amidst all the buildings, people, and traffic in his neighborhood, Jayden sees nature everywhere...

Pre-K - 4th

Change Sings: A Children's Anthem

Written by Amanda Gorman and Illustrated by Loren Long

"I can hear change humming In its loudest, proudest song. I don't fear change coming, And so I sing...

Pre-K - 3rd

Amazing Africa: A to Z

Written by Dr. Artika Tyner & Monica Habia and Illustrated by Reyhana Ismail

Readers will visit the pinnacle of Mount Kilimanjaro and learn a few new words in Swahili and Twi...

2nd - 5th

The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda

Written by Shoshana Nambi and Illustrated by Moran Yogev

Sukkot is Shoshi's favorite Jewish holiday. She and her brothers love to decorate their sukkah, the...

Pre-K - 3rd

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13

Written by Helaine Becker and Illustrated by Dow Phumiruk

The bold story of Katherine Johnson, an African-American mathematician who worked for NASA during...

K - 3rd
15144

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

Written by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer and Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon

A boy in a drought-ravaged village in Africa wonders how things work. Teaching himself English from...

1st - 3rd
15232

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super Soaking Stream of Inventions

Written by Chris Barton and Illustrated by Don Tate
As a young boy, Lonnie was always building things, from bamboo shooters to rockets—he even built a...
2nd - 5th

B is for Black Brilliance

Written by Shawna Wells and Illustrated by Kellie Marsh

The B is for Black Brilliance non-fiction book is a powerful and in-depth read that will take you on...

K - 5th
21223

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race

Written by Margot Lee Shetterly & Winifred Conkling and Illustrated by Laura Freeman

Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden were good at math…really good...

Pre-K - 3rd

Sole Mates

Written by Damon Mosley and Illustrated by BigOurs

Follow the adventures of a shy, imaginative 6-year-old boy and his favorite sneakers, who may or may...

K - 3rd
15128

It Jes’ Happened: When Bill Traylor Started to Draw

Written by Don Tate and Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie
A former slave, Bill began drawing at the age of 83. His drawings were based upon his memories of...
1st - 6th

Etta Extraordinaire

Written by Roda Ahmed & Charnaie Gordon and Illustrated by Chloe Burgett

Meet Etta! 

Etta was born to be a shining star. When Etta discovers her school is hosting a talent...

Pre-K - 3rd
15153

Touch the Sky: Alice Coachman, Olympic High Jumper

Written by Ann Malaspina and Illustrated by Eric Valasquez
Meet Alice Coachman, whose parents think she needs to act more like a lady. Alice doesn’t give up...
1st - 4th
21222

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent...
Pre-K - 3rd
20980

Shirley Chisholm Is A Verb!

Written by Veronica Chambers and Illustrated by Rachelle Baker
A timely picture book biography about Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress, who...
Pre-K - 3rd
15247

Martin's Big Words

Written by Doreen Rappaport and Illustrated by Bryan Collier
This story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. told using his own “big words.”
K - 3rd
20982

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice

Written by Nikki Grimes and Illustrated by Laura Freeman

Discover the incredible story of a young daughter of immigrants who would grow up to be the first...

Pre-K - 3rd
15566

Aunt Harriet’s Underground Railroad in the Sky

Written and Illustrated by Faith Ringgold
This book weaves the history Harriet Tubman and her work with the Underground Railroad into a modern...
Pre-K - 2nd

Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June's Sweet Little Baby Banjolele

Written by Valerie June and Illustrated by Marcela Avelar

Grammy nominated musician Valerie June’s Somebody to Love: The Story of Valerie June's Sweet Little...

K - 5th

W. E. B. Du Bois

Written by Jeni Wittrock

Explore the life and achievements of W.E.B. Du Bois, a scholar, civil rights activist, and cofounder...

Pre-K - 3rd
15179

More Than Anything Else

Written by Marie Bradby and Illustrated by Chris K. Soentpiet

The is a fictionalized story of the life of young Booker T. Washington. When his mother presents him...

Pre-K - 3rd
15342

Through My Eyes

Written by Ruby Bridges
The autobiography of Ruby Bridges, who recounts what happened in November of 1960, when she became...
3rd - 7th
15111

What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors

Written by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Raymond Obstfeld and Illustrated by Ben Boos & A.G. Ford
As they fix up their new house, Herbie and his sister discover how many things that we use every day...
3rd - 7th
15529

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Written by David A. Adler and Illustrated by Robert Casilla
An introduction to the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., from his childhood to his assassination...
Pre-K - 3rd
15400

Chains

Written by Laurie Halse Anderson

A story about 13-year-old Isabel, an African-American slave during the Revolutionary War. Against...

5th - 9th
16517

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton

Written and Illustrated by Don Tate
George loved words. But George was enslaved. Forced to work long hours, George was unable to attend...
1st - 5th
15527

A Picture Book of Rosa Parks

Written by David A. Adler and Illustrated by Robert Casilla
The story of Rosa Parks, who refused to give up her seat to a white person in Montgomery, Alabama...
1st - 4th
15310

When Marian Sang

Written by Pam Muñoz Ryan and Illustrated by Brian Selznick
Based on the life of opera singer Marian Anderson, the book recounts her struggle to pursue her...
2nd - 5th
15170

Hope's Gift

Written by Kelly Starling Lyons and Illustrated by Don Tate
Written to commemorate the Emancipation Proclamation, this is the story of a little girl, her family...
1st - 3rd
15241

Hand in Hand: An American History Through Poetry

Written by Lee Bennett Hopkins and Illustrated by Peter M. Fiore
This anthology presents American history through poems from a diverse group of writers.
K - 7th
15524

Mary McLeod Bethune

Written by Eloise Greenfield and Illustrated by Jerry Pinkney
An illustrated biography of Mary McLeod Bethune, the daughter of former slaves who wanted nothing...
1st - 5th
15526

Teammates

Written by Peter Golenbock and Illustrated by Paul Bacon
Jackie Robinson joined the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1940s, becoming the first African American on a...
Pre-K - 3rd
15749

Who Was Muhammad Ali?

Written by James Buckley Jr.

An accessible biography of the life of Muhammad Ali. One of the world's most famous boxers who also...

3rd - 7th
15430

The People Could Fly: American Black Folktales

Written by Virginia Hamilton and Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon
A collection of 24 African-American folktales including those featuring animals, fairy tales, the...
2nd - 11th
15215

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone

Written by Katheryn Russell-Brown and Illustrated by Frank Morrison
Ever since she was a little girl, Melba Doretta Liston loved music. One day, her momma bought her a...
1st - 3rd
15695

Martin's Dream Day

Written by Kitty Kelley and Illustrated by Stanley Tretick
The story of the historic March on Washington on August 28, 1963, written specifically for young...
K - 4th
20984

This Is Your Time

Written by Ruby Bridges
Written as a letter from civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges to the reader, This Is Your...
5th - 10th
20976

Carter Reads the Newspaper

Written by Deborah Hopkinson and Illustrated by Don Tate
“Carter G. Woodson didn’t just read history. He changed it.” As the father of Black History Month...
1st - 5th
20977

No Small Potatoes: Junius G. Groves and His Kingdom in Kansas

Written by Tonya Bolden and Illustrated by Don Tate
Discover the incredible true story of how one of history's most successful potato farmers began life...
Pre-K - 3rd
20979

Swish!: The Slam-Dunking, Alley-Ooping, High-Flying Harlem Globetrotters

Written by Suzanne Slade and Illustrated by Don Tate
In this book you will find one-finger ball-spinning, rapid-fire mini-dribbling, and a ricochet head...
Pre-K - 3rd
20975

William Still and His Freedom Stories: The Father of the Underground Railroad

Written and Illustrated by Don Tate
William Still’s parents escaped slavery but had to leave two of their children behind, a tragedy...
1st - 5th
15525

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Written by Robert Coles and Illustrated by George Ford
The story of Ruby Bridges, the first African-American child to attend an all-white school in New...
Pre-K - 3rd
15277

The Other Side

Written by Jacqueline Woodson
Noticing Annie, a white girl, sitting on a fence watching Clover and her black friends play, Clover...
K - 3rd
15444

Tar Beach

Written by Faith Ringgold
The story takes place in 1939, and 9-year-old Cassie Lightfoot wants to be free to leave her Harlem...
K - 3rd
15449

The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963

Written by Christopher Paul Curtis
Set in 1963, this story centers around Kenny Watson who travels with his parents, his brother Byron...
4th - 7th
20750

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave

Written by Laban Carrick Hill and Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Dave was more than a slave—he was a craftsman and a poet. He engraved his pottery with poems that...
K - 4th
20736

Preaching to the Chickens: The Story of Young John Lewis

Written by Jabari Asim
When he’s put in charge of caring for his family’s chickens, young John Lewis—who aspires to become...
K - 3rd
19099

Mae Jemison (Rookie Biographies)

Written by Jodie Shepherd
Meet Mae Jemison, the first African-American woman to travel to space. Mae Jemison was a bright...
1st - 3rd
19672

A Picture Book of Jesse Owens

Written by David A. Adler and Illustrated by Robert Casilla
Before Usain Bolt or Tyson Gay, Bob Beamon or Carl Lewis, Jesse Owens was perhaps the greatest and...
Pre-K - 3rd
21200

Pigskins to Paintbrushes: The Story of Football-Playing Artist

Written and Illustrated by Don Tate
Young Ernie Barnes wasn’t like other boys his age. Bullied for being shy, overweight, and...
1st - 10th

Peeny Butter Fudge

Written by Toni Morrison & Slade Morrison and Illustrated by Joe Cepeda
There is no one like Nana in the whole wide world. She is the best. Nana knows how to take an ordinary afternoon and make it extra special!
Pre-K - 3rd
15664

To Be a Drum

Written by Evelyn Coleman and Illustrated by Aminah Brenda Lynn Robinson
The pulse of the drum, symbolizing the rhythm of the earth, has moved through African culture, over...
K - 8th