Juneteenth: Books for Kids

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, Juneteenth recognizes the date when enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned the Civil War was over and they were free. Minnesota has observed Juneteenth since 1996, and it was designated as a federal holiday in 2021. Learn more in these recommended reads for kids and teens!

Updated May 26, 2026
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Juneteenth: Books for Kids

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in the United States. Although the Emancipation Proclamation was signed on January 1, 1863, Juneteenth recognizes the date when enslaved African Americans in Texas finally learned the Civil War was over and they were free. Minnesota has observed Juneteenth since 1996, and it was designated as a federal holiday in 2021. Learn more in these recommended reads for kids and teens!

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All different now : Juneteenth, the first day of freedom
Johnson, Angela
Paper Book
Experience the joy of Juneteenth in this celebration of freedom from the award-winning team of Angela Johnson and E.B. Lewis. Through the eyes of one little girl, All Different Now tells the story of the first Juneteenth, the day freedom finally came to the last of the...
A flag for Juneteenth
Taylor, Kim
Paper Book
Expert quilter Kim Taylor shares a unique and powerful story of the celebration of the first Juneteenth, from the perspective of a young girl. On June 19, 1865, in Galveston, General Gordon Granger of the Union Army delivered the message that African Americans in Texas were free....
Free at last : a Juneteenth poem
Kincaid-Rolle, Sojourner
Paper Book
This lyrical celebration of Juneteenth, deeply rooted in Black American history, spans centuries and reverberates loudly and proudly today.After 300 years of forced bondage;hands bound, descendants of Africapicked up their souls--all that they owned--leaving shackles where they fell on the ground...
Freedom celebration : a Juneteenth party
Dalton, Angela
Paper Book
Gloria and her relatives celebrate Juneteenth and share the history and significance of this freedom celebration in a Level 3 I Can Read.  The Morris family celebrates Juneteenth together every year with a barbeque including red food and drinks. Gloria and Grandma Daisy...
Juneteenth
Garrett, Van G.
Paper Book
A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas--birthplace of Juneteenth--through the eyes of a boy coming to understand his place in Black American history in a story from three Texan creators. A young Black child...
Juneteenth is
Tripplett, Natasha
Paper Book
2024 Golden Poppy Award Winner An intimate look at Juneteenth, this story is a warm exploration of a family and a community.  Juneteenth is the smell of brisket filling the air. Juneteenth is the sounds of music, dancing, and...
Juneteenth : our day of freedom
Wyeth, Sharon Dennis
Paper Book
Some call it Freedom Day; some call it Emancipation Day; some call it Juneteenth. Learn more about this important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States in this Step 3 History Reader. On June 19, 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation...
The night before freedom : a Juneteenth story
Armand, Glenda
Paper Book
This moving picture book tells the story of Juneteenth with all the care and reverence such a holiday deserves. The rhyming text and stunning illustrations will teach children about this historic day in history. 'Twas the night before freedom, and all through the South,
Opal Lee and what it means to be free : the true story of the grandmother of Juneteenth
Duncan, Alice Faye
Paper Book
Booklist starred review Black activist Opal Lee had a vision of Juneteenth as a holiday for everyone. This true story celebrates Black joy and inspires children to see their dreams blossom. Growing up in Texas, Opal knew the history of Juneteenth, but she soon discovered that many...
They built me for freedom : the story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
Ellis, Tonya Duncan
Paper Book
SCBWI Crystal Kite Award Honor Winner! Debut picture book author Tonya Duncan Ellis and acclaimed artist Jenin Mohammed bring us a vibrant, moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas--and the origins of Juneteenth. When people visit me, they are...
What is Juneteenth?
Jewel, Kirsti
Paper Book
Discover more about Juneteenth, the important holiday that celebrates the end of chattel slavery in the United States. On June 19, 1865, a group of enslaved men, women, and children in Texas gathered around a Union solder and listened as he read the most remarkable words they...
I Love My People: A Child's Celebration of Black Culture
Singleton, Kim
Paper Book
Say it with her now: "I love my people!" In rhythmic prowess, Kim Singleton recounts the beauty and legacy of Black people who are "too many to name, from the corners of obscurity, to the highest of fame." I Love My Peopleis a poetic tribute to African American history...
Get up, stand up
Marley, Cedella
Paper Book
Build a house
Giddens, Rhiannon
Paper Book
Grammy Award winner Rhiannon Giddens celebrates Black history and culture in her unflinching, uplifting, and gorgeously illustrated picture book debut. As an acclaimed musician, singer, songwriter, and cofounder of the traditional African American string band the Carolina...
The library in the woods
Ramsey, Calvin A.
Paper Book
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Books of the Year After a storm devastates the farm his parents have been renting, Junior moves with his family to...
Juneteenth
McNamara, Margaret.
The first graders of Robin Hill School learn about Juneteenth in this easy-to-follow Level 1 Ready-to-Read story! Juneteenth is an important holiday in Mrs. Connor's class. When the students hear about its history, it inspires them and opens their eyes to what it means to treat...
Carrimebac : the town that walked
Moore, David Barclay
Paper Book
A stunning feat of original storytelling from the recipient of the 2018 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award In a boldly transportive original tale, David Barclay Moore infuses history with wry folk wisdom, metaphorical power, and a splash of magic. The Civil War may be over, but...
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...
Black Hands: Builders of Our Nation
Weatherford, Carole Boston
Commemorate the innumerable ways the African American community has shaped the foundation of the United States in this stunning, poetic picture book from the Caldecott Honor-winning team behind Freedom in Congo Square. Black hands molded clay, chiseled marble, ...
Twice Enslaved: Liberty and Justice for Henrietta Wood
Castrovilla, Selene
Paper Book
Here is the story of Henrietta Wood, who was enslaved twice-but who demanded justice and was awarded the largest reparations ever granted for enslavement. This nonfiction book for ages 9-12 puts a human face on the current issue of reparations. Henrietta Wood was born enslaved....
Our children can soar : a celebration of Rosa, Barack, and the pioneers of change
Cook, Michelle.
Paper Book
Rosa sat so Martin could march. Martin marched so Barack could run. Barack ran so Our children can soar. This is the seed of a unique and inspirational picture book text, that is part historical, part poetry, and entirely inspirational. It symbolically takes...
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