Black Voices & Culture: Books for Kids

Updated February 6, 2026
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The Juneteenth cookbook : recipes and activities for kids and families to celebrate
Agostini, Alliah L.
Paper Book
*As Featured on Oprah Daily* *2024 Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year* *A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature (CSMCL) Best Multicultural Book of 2024*   Celebrate Juneteenth and radiate #BlackJoy through traditional food...
An American story
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
Amari and the night brothers
Alston, B. B.
Paper Book
New York Times bestseller! Artemis Fowl meets Men in Black in this exhilarating debut middle grade fantasy, the first in a series filled with #blackgirlmagic. Perfect for fans of Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, the Percy Jackson series, and Nevermoor. Amari Peters has...
Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry
Barnes, Derrick
Paper Book
From award-winning creators, Derrick Barnes, Frank Morrison, and Dr. Christian Gregory comes the true story of comedian and activist Dick Gregory's remarkable Food Run of 1976. 1 man. 1,011 hours. 3,200 miles. 7 million steps. What would you do In April of 1976,...
Loud and proud : the life of Congresswoman Shirley Chisholm
Cline-Ransome, Lesa
Paper Book
Three starred reviews! "History shines" (School Library Journal, starred review) in this inspirational, "vibrantly colored, boisterous, and well-paced" (Booklist, starred review) picture book biography of trailblazer Shirley Chisholm, the first African American...
One big open sky
Cline-Ransome, Lesa
Paper Book
A Newbery Honor Book Three women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free--or cost them everything they have--in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement. 1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer...
J. D. and the great barber battle
Dillard, J.
Paper Book
Eight-year-old J.D. turns a tragic home haircut into a thriving barber business in this hilarious new illustrated chapter book series J.D. has a big problem--it's the night before the start of third grade and his mom has just given him his first and worst home haircut. When the...
Dragons in a bag
Elliott, Zetta
Paper Book
The dragon's out of the bag in this diverse, young urban fantasy from an award-winning author! When Jaxon is sent to spend the day with a mean old lady his mother calls Ma, he finds out she's not his grandmother--but she is a witch! She needs his help delivering...
Garvey's choice
Grimes, Nikki
Paper Book
This emotionally resonant novel in verse by award-winning author Nikki Grimes celebrates choosing to be true to yourself. Garvey's father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading--anything but sports. Feeling like a...
A walk in the woods
Grimes, Nikki
Paper Book
In this moving account of loss, a boy takes a walk in the woods and makes a discovery that changes his understanding of his father. A week after the funeral I stare in the morning mirror, angry that my father's eyes stare back at me....
Freedom Fire: Black Girl Power: 15 Stories Celebrating Black Girlhood
Johnson, Leah
Paper Book
AN INSTANT USA TODAY BEST SELLER Kirkus Reviews Best of 2024 list, Best of Middle Grade A vibrant, heartwarming collection of 15 middle grade stories and poems that celebrates the joy, strength, and experience of Black girlhood, including stories from Ibi Zoboi, Sharon M...
Do you know them?
Keller, Shana
Paper Book
A moving and triumphant picture book inspired by the printed newspaper ads placed by African Americans who were separated from family members by the Civil War, enslavement, and emancipation. After the war's end, everyone is missing someone. Lettie's missing her family. They had...
Freewater
Luqman-Dawson, Amina
CD
Debut author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical, accessible historical middle-grade novel about two enslaved children's escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom.Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada,...
Camp-out
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Ty makes his I Can Read Comic debut! Featuring a bold comic styling by New York Times bestselling illustrator Niña Mata and a compelling easy-to-read text by Kelly Starling Lyons, this Level One I Can Read Comic is the perfect summertime story for beginning readers! ...
Rock star
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Fans of Princess Posey and Ivy and Bean will enjoy engaging with science-loving Jada Jones in this easy-to-read chapter book. When Jada Jones's best friend moves away, school feels like the last place she wants to be. She'd much rather wander outside looking for cool rocks to add...
Showtime!
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
Ty rocks out with friends in this new book in the Geisel Honor-winning series! Join Ty on his imaginative adventures in Ty's Travels: Showtime, a My First I Can Read story by acclaimed author and illustrator team Kelly Starling Lyons and Niña Mata. Music, imagination,...
From the desk of Zoe Washington
Marks, Janae
Paper Book
#1 Kids Indie Next List * Parents Magazine Best Book of the Year * Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Book of the Year * SLJ Best Book of the Year * Kirkus Best Book of the Year * Junior Library Guild Selection * Edgar Award Nominee * Four Starred Reviews * Bank Street Best...
Rise of the green flame
Mensah, Bernard (Children's author)
Paper Book
Magic, adventure, and friendship come together in Kwame's Magic Quest, an action-packed, fully illustrated early chapter book series perfect for fans of Dragon Masters! Pick a book. Grow a Reader! This series is part of Scholastic's early chapter book line, Branches, aimed at newly...
Sharing the dream
Moses, Shelia P.
Paper Book
An inspiring portrait of a monumental day in US history, seen through a child's eyes Agnes can hardly contain her excitement! She's headed to the March on Washington. Sitting on her father's shoulders, she's awed by the sea of people-people of every color, gathered together to be...
Loretta Little looks back : three voices go tell it : a monologue novel
Pinkney, Andrea Davis
Paper Book
From a bestselling and award-winning husband and wife team comes an innovative, beautifully illustrated novel that delivers a front-row seat to the groundbreaking moments in history that led to African Americans earning the right to vote. "Right here, I'm sharing the honest-to...
Just Jerry : how drawing shaped my life : a memoir
Pinkney, Jerry
Stand-alone player
Root magic
Royce, Eden
Paper Book
"A poignant, necessary entry into the children's literary canon, Root Magic brings to life the history and culture of Gullah people while highlighting the timeless plight of Black Americans. Add in a fun, magical adventure and you get everything I want in a book!" --Justina Ireland, New York...
Clean getaway
Stone, Nic
Paper Book
From #1 New York Times bestselling author Nic Stone comes a timely middle-grade road-trip story through landmarks of the Civil Rights movement and the map they lay for contemporary race relations. How to Go on an Unplanned Road Trip with Your Grandma: Grab a...
Jerry changed the game! : how engineer Jerry Lawson revolutionized video games forever
Tate, Don
Paper Book
Junior Library Guild Selection | Eureka! Excellence in Nonfiction Honor | CBC Best STEM Book List | Mathical Book Prize Honor | BCALA Youth Literary Nonfiction Award | Communication Arts Illustration Shortlist Meet Jerry Lawson, the Black engineer who revolutionized the video...
The Gift of Freedom: How Harriet Tubman Rescued Her Brothers
Turner, Glennette Tilley
Paper Book
From bestselling illustrator and Coretta Scott King honoree Laura Freeman and award-winning author Glennette Tilley Turner comes the little-known story of Harriet Tubman's daring rescue of her enslaved brothers on Christmas Day Harriet Tubman was always a keen observer. She...
Ways to make sunshine
Watson, Rene?e
Paper Book
From Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Award winner Renée Watson, the first book in a young middle grade series about Ryan Hart, a girl who is pure spirit, kindness, and sunshine. Ryan Hart can be and do anything. Her name means "king", that she is a leader, and she...
Lotus Bloom and the afro revolution
Winston, Sherri
Paper Book

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