Juneteenth for Kids

The Juneteenth holiday (a portmanteau of June and nineteen) commemorates June 19, 1865, when Union general Gordon Granger read federal orders in Galveston, Texas, that all previously enslaved people were free — finally freeing slaves in Texas over two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. The Juneteenth holiday is a time to celebrate as well as a time to examine our history, to reflect on the legacy of slavery, and to look toward the future. Here are some books by Black authors and artists that celebrate African American culture, resistance and achievement.

Updated May 24, 2025
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LINCC (Libraries in Clackamas County) Happy Valley Library
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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...
The Juneteenth story : celebrating the end of slavery in the United States
Agostini, Alliah L.
Paper Book
Winner of the 2022 Black Kid Lit Award for Best Historical title. With colorful illustrations and a timeline, this introductory history of Juneteenth for kids details the evolution of the holiday commemorating the date the enslaved people of Texas first learned of their...
An American story
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Book A 2023 New York Times Best Children's Book A 2023 Publisher's Weekly Best Picture Book An NPR Best Book of the Year #1 New York Times Bestselling and...
The door of no return
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
From the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award winning author Kwame Alexander, comes the first book in a searing, breathtaking trilogy that tells the story of a boy, a village, and the epic odyssey of an African family. In his village in Upper...
The undefeated
Alexander, Kwame
Paper Book
Winner of the 2020 Caldecott Medal A 2020 Newbery Honor Book Winner of the 2020 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award The Newbery Award-winning author of THE CROSSOVER pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time...
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,
Freedom over me : eleven slaves, their lives and dreams brought to life
Bryan, Ashley
Paper Book
Imagine being looked up and down and being valued as less than chair. Less than an ox. Less than a dress. Maybe about the same as...a lantern. You, an object. An object to sell. In his gentle yet deeply powerful way, Ashley Bryan goes to the...
Let the children march
Clark-Robinson, Monica
Paper Book
This powerful picture book introduces young readers to a key event in the struggle for Civil Rights. Winner, Coretta Scott King Honor Award. In 1963 Birmingham, Alabama, thousands of African American children volunteered to march for their rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King...
Juneteenth for Mazie
Cooper, Floyd
Paper Book
Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.
The ABCs of Black history
Cortez, Rio
Paper Book
In this New York Times Bestseller, B is for Beautiful, Brave, and Bright! And for a Book that takes a Bold journey through the alphabet of Black history and culture. ​   Letter by letter, The ABCs of Black History celebrates a...
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...
The gathering table
Eady, Antwan
The author of Nigel and the Moon delivers a joyful picture book about how a Southern family gathers around a special table for year-round celebrations that highlight the importance of family, community, and coming together. In my family, there are...
They built me for freedom : the story of Juneteenth and Houston's Emancipation Park
Ellis, Tonya Duncan
Paper Book
A moving picture book about the history of Emancipation Park in Houston, Texas--and the origins of Juneteenth. When people visit me, they are free--to run, play, gather, and rejoice. They built me to remember. On June 19, 1865, the 250,000 enslaved people of Texas learned...
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...
Born on the water
Hannah-Jones, Nikole
Paper Book
The 1619 Project's lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States, thoughtfully rendered by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones and Newbery honor-winning author Renée Watson. A...
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...
Black girl power : 15 stories celebrating Black girlhood
Johnson, Leah (Young adult author)
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...
Malcolm lives! : the official biography of Malcolm X for young readers
Kendi, Ibram X.
Paper Book
"Vital, brilliant" --New York Times Book Review * A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection * 4 starred reviews National Book Award-winning and #1 New York Times-bestselling author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi brings a global icon to life in the first major...
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 Africa picked up their...
Sing a song : how "Lift Every Voice and Sing" inspired generations
Lyons, Kelly Starling
Paper Book
"Lyons delivers the history of a song that has inspired generations of African-Americans to persist and resist in the face of racism and systemic oppression. . . . A heartfelt history of a historic anthem."--Publishers Weekly Sing a song full of the faith that the dark...
Black boy joy
Mbalia, Kwame
Paper Book
THE INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER. FIVE STARRED REVIEWS Celebrate the joys of Black boyhood with stories from seventeen bestselling, critically acclaimed Black authors-including Jason Reynolds, Jerry Craft, and Kwame Mbalia. ★"Pick up Black Boy Joy...
Opal Lee
Moses, Shelia P.
Paper Book
Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds-including Opal Lee! Opal Lee grew up as a Black girl in Texas at a time when Black and...
Tell Me About Juneteenth
Nash, Kortney/ Hodge, Deandra (ILT)
Paper Book
Celebrate Juneteenth with this empowering picture book! On June 19th, 1865, the last enslaved African Americans were finally freed in Galveston, Texas. Every year, our community comes together to honor this special day. We play hopscotch, eat spice cake, and listen to music,...
The Juneteenth alphabet
Petifer, Andrea Underwood
Paper Book
Celebrate Juneteenth with this heartfelt introduction for kids ages 3 to 6. A is for ancestors, and B is for Black. There is a complex history behind Juneteenth--but in The Juneteenth Alphabet, kids (and adults) can find celebratory moments of joy and inspiration as they learn about the...
Stamped (For Kids) Racism, Antiracism, and You
Reynolds, Jason.
Paper Book
Don't miss this "fresh and conversational" (TIME Magazine), "potent and provocative" (The San Francisco Chronicle), #1 New York Times bestselling exploration of racism--and antiracism--in America. ...
Stamped (For Kids) Racism, Antiracism, and You
Reynolds, Jason.
Ebook
The #1 New York Times bestseller! This chapter book edition of the #1 New York Times bestseller by luminaries Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds is an essential introduction to the history of racism and antiracism in America<...
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....
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...
So many years : a Juneteenth story
Wynter, Anne
The celebrated author of Ezra Jack Keats Award winner Nell Plants a Tree and a Caldecott Honor artist come together for a poetic picture book introduction to Juneteenth and its origin. Oh, how you would dance! How you would sing! How you would celebrate! With lyrical...

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