Today and always, we want to amplify the voices of Black creators by sharing their incredible stories. This collection of titles includes books by Andrea Davis Pinkney, Ruby Bridges, Yolanda Renee King, and more! Below, you’ll find a book for every growing reader in your life.
Picture Books
I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams is the beautiful story about a boy who meets 10 exceptional Black men – both historical and contemporary – and internalizes their lessons, their legacies, and their greatness. Kids will love the enduring message of strength, lyrical poetry, and captivating artwork of this memorable book.
We Dream a World is an inspirational ode written by Yolanda Renee King to her grandparents Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King. Written in loving prose with gentle watercolor illustrations, King shows readers how to carry on their ancestors' legacies while forging their own paths.
Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts, written by Ruby Bridges, is a powerful collaborative project featuring letters from children around the country who wrote letters to Bridges about today's biggest issues, along with Bridges' thoughtful, encouraging responses. Bridges, who was the first Black child to attend an all-white school in 1960s Louisiana at the age of six, went on to create the Ruby Bridges Foundation with the goal of promoting tolerance and change through education. This title helps children embrace the courage to be brave and bold, and have the confidence to help enact the changes they wish to see in the world.
Middle Grade
Change the Game introduces readers to teenage pro-athlete Colin Kaepernick, who stands at a crossroads. As Colin prepares to graduate high school and enter college, he is told by his friends, family, teachers, and coaches that he should continue to play baseball. But Colin's heart is in football. Now, Colin must decide whether to listen to what everyone else thinks is best for his life, or follow his own path and chase his own dreams, his own identity, and his own happiness. With an enduring message of courage and strength, this book inspires young people to follow their dreams in the face of challenges.
Boundless tells the story of Chaunté Lowe, who, in her short life, had already experienced food insecurity, homelessness, and domestic abuse. But when Chaunté watches Florence Griffith Joyner (a.k.a Flo-Jo) compete in track and field in the Olympics, Chaunté knows exactly what she wants to do — become a track star. With the help of her friends, community, and coaches, Chaunté overcomes every obstacle through sheer grit and determination to propel herself to the podium at the Olympics.
Young Adult
The Library of Broken Worlds is an imaginative tale about Frieda, the daughter of a library god, who has spent her whole life exploring the ever-changing tunnels of the library and all of their secrets. When Freida meets Joshua, a Tierran boy desperate to save his people, Freida is inclined to help him. To do so, Frieda must venture even deeper into the tunnels — even if that means the discovery of past atrocities, her own origins, and the impossibility of her future.
The Witchery Book 2: The Shadow Coven reunites readers with witches Jailah, Logan, Iris, and Thalia as they each attempt to recover from their battle with the Wolves. Separated by distance and circumstance, the coven must defeat threats both mundane and magical before they lose their witchery and each other forever.
Explore more diverse books for kids, including middle-grade books for Black History Month.
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