February is Black History Month — and a great time to reflect, learn, and honor Black lives and stories.

Your students will be fascinated by prominent figures like Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and Civil Rights activist Ruby Bridges. Nonfiction titles, including biographies, will help your class understand historical events and learn more about influential heroes. 

For younger students, there’s I Am My Ancestors' Wildest Dreams, which is an anthem to Black joy and heritage. In it, a young boy meets 10 exceptional Black men — both historical and contemporary — and internalizes their lessons, legacies, and greatness. Perfect for early readers, your students will love the lyrical poetry and beautiful illustrations in this picture book. (Check out the study guide here,) 

In We Dream a World, Yolanda Renee King shares a stirring tribute to her grandparents, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King, showing young people how to carry on the legacy of their elders while forging their own paths. 

Dear Ruby, Hear Our Hearts is a beautiful collaborative project by the Ruby Bridges Foundation. In this title, children write letters to Bridges, telling her about their biggest concerns. Bridges writes back, offering messages of encouragement and hope to inspire them to fight for what they believe in. (Find the activity booklet here.) 

Meanwhile, Colin Kaepernick: Change the Game tells the story of pro athlete Colin Kaepernick, who is on his way to college. But while everyone tells Colin to keep playing baseball, Colin’s heart is in football, even though he doesn’t have any offers from college teams… yet. This graphic novel is an inspirational tale of following your dreams and finding your own happiness. 

Celebrate Black History Month with books that encapsulate Black joy and excellence. These engaging reads can help spark important conversations with students. 

Shop books for Black History Month below! You can find all books and activities at The Teacher Store.