Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a time dedicated to honoring the history, achievements, and contributions of Black people. Enjoy these recently published fiction and nonfiction titles featuring Black achievement, history, biographies, Black authors and characters.

Updated February 5, 2026
Drag items up and down to your preferred order then select the "Save Order" button.
The Black history book
Blyden, Nemata Amelia
Paper Book
Learn about the most important milestones in Black history in The Black History Book. Part of the fascinating Big Ideas series, this book tackles tricky topics and themes in a simple and easy to follow format. Learn about Black History in this overview guide to the subject,...
How sweet the sound
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by the award-winning author of The Undefeated. Listen to the sound of...
Harlem Rhapsody
Murray, Victoria Christopher.
Named a Best Book of the Year by NPR! "A gripping narrative, don't miss this historical fiction about the woman who kicked off the Harlem Renaissance."--People Magazine "A page turner and history lesson at once, Harlem Rhapsody reminds us that our...
Jubilee : recipes from two centuries of African American cooking
Tipton-Martin, Toni
Paper Book
"A celebration of African American cuisine right now, in all of its abundance and variety."-Tejal Rao, The New York Times JAMES BEARD AWARD WINNER . IACP AWARD WINNER . IACP BOOK OF THE YEAR TONI TIPTON-MARTIN NAMED THE 2021 JULIA CHILD AWARD RECIPIENT AND...
A short history of Black craft in ten objects
Awake, Robell
Ten beautifully illustrated essays tell the stories of handcrafted objects and their makers, providing inspiration and insight into Black history and craftsmanship. Black artisans have long been central to American art and design, creating innovative and highly desired work against...
The swans of Harlem : five Black ballerinas, a legacy of sisterhood, and their reclamation of a groundbreaking history
Valby, Karen
Paper Book
Meet five amazing Black ballerinas from The Dance Theater of Harlem, including some of the founding members. They broke barriers and made history in the world of classical dance, at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major dance companies. A young adult adaptation of...
Losing Sight
Richardson, Tati
Paper Book
What if a mysterious pair of glasses helped you to see life--and love--clearly? Sports reporter Tanika "Nikki" Ryan is at the top of her game until she isn't. Squinting at the teleprompter and flubbing lines, she loses her coveted Thursday Night football spot to a younger, less...
Becoming spectacular : the rhythm of resilience from the first African American Rockette
Jones, Jennifer
The first African American Rockette charts her journey to one of the world's most celebrated dance troupes in this gripping performing arts memoir that, for the first time, goes behind the velvet curtains at Radio City's legendary holiday show. "Smashing through glass windows and...
The kiss countdown
Easton, Etta
Paper Book
A struggling event planner and a sinfully hot astronaut must decide if their fake relationship is worth a shot at happily-ever-after, in this starry debut. Risk-averse event planner Amerie Price is jobless, newly single, and about to lose her apartment. With no choice but to...
I'm that girl : living the power of my dreams
Chiles, Jordan
Paper Book
An Instant New York Times Bestseller With a Foreword by Simone Biles The sensational two-time Olympian Jordan Chiles's heartfelt, inspiring memoir chronicling her unlikely path to the podium--including the unprecedented challenges, the joy of winning, the crushing pain of defeat,...
That's how they get you : an unruly anthology of Black American humor
Young, Damon
Paper Book
From the Thurber Prize-winning author of What Doesn't Kill You Makes You Blacker comes a pioneering collection of Black humor from some of the most acclaimed writers and performers at work today A critic explores the paradox of finding community in "the dozens" while...
The afterlife of Malcolm X : an outcast turned icon's enduring impact on America
Whitaker, Mark
Paper Book
A New York Public Library and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of 2025 Published to coincide with the hundredth anniversary of his birth, the first major study of Malcolm X's influence in the sixty years since his assassination, exploring his enduring impact on culture,...
Chadwick Boseman, King of Wakanda : a hero on and off the screen
Singleton, Chris
Paper Book
Chadwick Boseman, King of Wakanda, A Hero On and Off the Screen, shows the power of grit, perseverance, and character in a dynamic biography for kids. ​ Chadwick Boseman, King of Wakanda, A Hero On and Off the Screen, shows the power of...
Mae Jemison
Williams, Lesley
Before the ships : the birth of Black excellence
Oso, Maisha
Paper Book
Before the Ships is a powerful and poetic celebration of the early roots of Black history. The great achievements and accomplishments across Africa prior to the Transatlantic slave trade are told through melodious text and evocative illustrations, that culminate into the strength and...
Sisters in Arms A Novel of the Daring Black Women Who Served During World War II
Alderson, Kaia.
Ebook
"Sisters in Arms is heartwarming but fierce, a novel brimming with camaraderie and fire, starring women you'd love to make your friends. Prickly, musical Grace and bubbly, privileged Eliza may not make the most natural allies, but it's fight or die when they're thrown together in...
The sable cloak
Grant, Gail Milissa
Paper Book
In this atmospheric novel set in the Jim Crow South, a powerful Black family fights to protect their empire--an "unforgettable must-read" for readers of Tayari Jones (Victoria Christopher Murray, New York Times bestselling author). Jordan Sable, a prosperous...
The American queen : a novel
Miller, Vanessa
Paper Book
A WOMAN EVOLVE BOOK CLUB PICK | A NORTH CAROLINA READS PICK | A Christy Award WINNER | A 2024 American Fiction Award WINNER | A 2025 Audie Awards WINNER | Best Historical Fiction of 2024 (She Reads) | FEATURED IN GMA, WASHINGTON POST, AND ESSENCE | There is only one known queen who truly ruled a...
Seven days in June
Williams, Tia
Paper Book
One of TIME's 50 Best Romances to Read Right Now   "Sumptuous writing" - Sarah Jessica Parker Two writers get a second chance at love in this romantic, sexy-as-hell New York Times bestselling novel.
Sparks fly
Jamal, Zakiya N.
When Stella Renee Johnson's roommate invites her to a sex club party but bails at the last minute, Stella decides to use the opportunity to finally cash in her V-card. But just when things are heating up between Stella and a sexy stranger, they realize they don't have protection and Stella, taking...
The Love Lyric
Forest, Kristina.
Paper Book
An R&B singer and a corporate executive find love that hits the right notes in this USA Today bestselling romance by Kristina Forest. Iris Greene used to be a woman with a plan. But all of that changed after she met the love of her life at twenty-five, got pregnant and...
The dark maestro : a novel
Slocumb, Brendan
Paper Book
His cello made him famous. His father made him a target. "In this perfectly crafted thriller, Slocumb acts as the master conductor, bringing together a twisty plot and gorgeously wrought characters." -The Boston Globe Curtis Wilson is a cello prodigy, growing...
The devil three times : a novel
Fayne, Rickey
Paper Book
Finalist for the PEN Open Book Award Shortlisted for the Center for Fiction First Novel Prize Finalist for the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction "A debut of enormous ambition" spanning eight generations of a Black family in...
Can't Get Enough
Ryan, Kennedy.
Behind the waterline
LeMalle, Kionna Walker
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE LEE SMITH NOVEL PRIZE Behind the Waterline takes readers to the home of a teenager and his grandmother in a New Orleans neighborhood on the eve of Katrina, where there are few resources and little warning of what is about to happen, in this novel that mixes...
Once Upon a Time in Dollywood
Jordan, Ashley.
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER ∙ A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK ∙ AN NPR 2025 BOOK WE LOVE ∙ AN AMAZON BEST ROMANCE BOOK OF THE MONTH! "A moving, captivating, beautiful debut! I can't wait for the whole world to read it."--Jasmine Guillory, New York Times<...
Family feast!
Weatherford, Carole Boston
From the award-winning author and illustrator of Standing in the Need of Prayer comes a joyous picture book about an intergenerational Black family cooking a delicious feast and appreciating their quality time together. Aunts, uncles, cousins, all pitch in. ...
The game is afoot
Bryant, Elise
Paper Book
ONE OF THE WASHINGTON POST'S 10 BEST MYSTERY NOVELS OF 2025 A clever and hilarious new mystery about a mother who thinks she has to do it all--even solve a murder--from the author of It's Elementary After rage quitting her job, Mavis finally has time to...
Great Black Hope
Franklin, Rob
Paper Book
NATIONAL BESTSELLER "Cool and concise; a talent to watch." --Jay McInerney author of Bright Lights, Big City "You're going to get papercuts, you're going to turn the pages so fast." --Brad Thor, Today A gripping debut from...

Library staff! You can create and contribute to lists. Contact your catalog administrator or log in here.