Children's Book Suggestions | Black History MonthUnpublished

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This Coretta Scott King Award-winner uses stunning mixed media illustrations by Dare Coulter to model how to have a hard conversation about a difficult historical topic. (Picture Book Age 5-8)

This historical fiction story uses the picture book format and experiences from the author's childhood to teach the youngest readers about the Great Migration. (Picture Book Age 6-9)

Each illustration in this colorful picture book is paired with 4 proverbs from an African culture, allowing readers to guess which proverb actually inspired the image! (Children's Picture Books Age 4-8)

Traditional stories from Africa and the Black diaspora, illustrated with stunning photographs of kids in traditional clothing. (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-12)

Twin brothers accidentally freeze time on the last day of summer vacation, extending their summer but significantly multiplying the weirdness of their small town. (Grades 3-5)

A new take on the Harlem Renaissance-era magazine, featuring poems, stories, and art by leading Black authors and illustrators. (Children's Nonfiction Age 9-12)

An ordinary 9-year-old boy sets off on a quest to deliver 3 baby dragons to a magical land. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

A mother and son do a genealogical deep-dive in search of their enslaved ancestors, telling a personal story that resonates with many Black Americans today. (Children's Nonfiction Age 8-12)

Inspired by a photo of Maya Angelou and Amiri Baraka dancing at the party the NYPL threw to honor the poet Langston Hughes, this illustrated poem by powerhouse Jason Reynolds and Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey is a love letter to Hughes' influence on American literature and culture.

A classic Newbery Award-winning book from powerhouse Christopher Paul Curtis, which tells the story of a family road trip to Birmingham that coincides with the bombing at the 16th St Baptist Church in September 1963. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

After her brother goes missing, a middle school girl gets an invitation to join a supernatural investigation agency. Great for fans of Harry Potter and Percy Jackson! (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

In an alternate timeline where the Civil War was fought on dinosaurs, a young girl who can communicate telepathically with the ancient beasts sets out to find her brother, a wounded soldier. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

A short, gripping novel by a master of high-interest titles for young men, exploring the choice one teen has to make when his abusive stepfather is released from jail. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

A young boy finds his voice after his father's death using a notebook full of stories about his secret superhero identity. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

This sweet, wholesome series about a 4th grade girl and her family is set in Portland and inspired by both the author's childhood in the city and Beverly Cleary's beloved Ramona books. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

A middle school boy learns more about his grandma, both good and bad, when they take an unsanctioned road trip across the country using the historical Green Book as a guide. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

An award-winning novel from an LGBTQ+ author about a young boy dealing with grief and his sexuality in a conservative Louisiana town. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Grounded for a laundry-avoidance scheme that backfired, Eddie is left at home on the day of the big beach bash when everything from the power to the WiFi shuts down. He teams up with the other kids in the neighborhood as they navigate the potential apocalypse...in his bathing suit. (Children's Fiction Grades 3-5)

Ocean's Eleven but set in a middle school, with a group of friends teaming up to stop a classmate from tampering with the student council elections. (Young Teen Grades 5-7)

The author of The Hate U Give makes her middle grade debut with a fantasy adventure epic about a young girl from a family of secret wizards. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

A middle school cupcake baker discovers her father, imprisoned since she was a young child, is innocent of the crime he was convicted for. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

From the Rick Riordan Presents series focused on fantasy adventure stories inspired by world mythology traditions, Tristan Strong introduces readers to a magical world featuring figures from Black and West African folklore. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

Makeup enthusiast Hasani just wants to focus on building her YouTube channel, but the discovery of magical powers sends her to an exclusive camp for witches. (Young Teen Grades 5-7)

A middle school student's decision to wear an armband in protest of an incident of police violence brings her into conflict with school officials and her classmates. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

The first of four novels of kids on a track team, perfect for runners and sports enthusiasts. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

A novel in verse inspired by an award-winning author's childhood memories of growing up in Brooklyn in the 1970s. (Young Teen Fiction Grades 5-7)

A graphic novel collection of African folktales, each written and illustrated by a different pair of Black creators. (Young Teen Graphic Novels Grades 5-7)

The first graphic novel to win a Newbery Medal is popular with young readers of all backgrounds drawn to the familiar story of starting over in a new place. (Young Teen Graphic Novel Grades 5-7)