Celebrate Freedom & Learn About Our History

This Juneteenth reading list includes recommendations from the National Museum of African American History and Culture, with some additions from our librarians. The books included cover a variety of reading levels.

Updated May 18, 2023
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Four hundred souls : a community history of African America, 1619-2019
Kendi, Ibram X.
Paper Book
An epoch-defining history of African America co-curated by bestselling author of How To Be an Antiracist *THE #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER* Four Hundred Souls is an epoch-defining history of African America, the first to appear in a generation...
How the word is passed : a reckoning with the history of slavery across America
Smith, Clint
Paper Book
ONE OF BARACK OBAMA'S FAVOURITE BOOKS OF THE YEAR A NUMBER ONE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FOR NON-FICTION 'A beautifully readable reminder of how much of our urgent, collective history resounds in places all...
Narrative of the life of Frederick Douglass, an American slave
Douglass, Frederick
Paper Book
Details the life of the internationally famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass, from his birth into slavery in 1818 to his escape to the North in 1838 - how he endured the daily physical and spiritual brutalities of his owners and drivers, how he learned to read and write, and how he grew into a man...
Conjure Women A Novel
Atakora, Afia.
Paper Book
A Stylist Best Book of 2020 You're free to decide your future. But how do you escape the ghosts of the past? A stunning debut novel with echoes of Yaa Gyasi's Homegoing and Sara Collins' The Confessions of Frannie Langton The pale...
Libertie : a novel
Greenidge, Kaitlyn
Paper Book
From the critically acclaimed and Whiting Award-winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman comes a book about what freedom actually means - and where to find it.
Stamped : racism, antiracism, and you
Reynolds, Jason
Paper Book
This crucial, empowering, #1 New York Times bestselling exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America makes critical ideas accessible for teen readers, adapted from Ibram X. Kendi's National Book Award-winning Stamped from the Beginning. ...
The underground railroad : a novel
Whitehead, Colson
Paper Book
WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2017 WINNER OF THE ARTHUR C. CLARKE AWARD 2017 LONGLISTED FOR THE MAN BOOKER PRIZE 2017 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD WINNER 2016 AMAZON.COM #1 BOOK OF THE YEAR 2016 ...
We were eight years in power : an American tragedy
Coates, Ta-Nehisi
Paper Book
From 2008-2016, the leader of the free world was a black man. Obama's presidency was a watershed moment in American history. In those eight years, the political conversation around race, gender, class and wealth shifted drastically - inspiring hope but also attracting criticism and breeding...
Get up, stand up
Marley, Cedella
Paper Book
The third picture book adaptation of one of Bob Marley's beloved songs that has a timely message for children: To counter injustice, lift others up with kindness and courage. A heartfelt and meaningful book that brings Bob Marley's music to life in a new way: As a young...

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