20+ Excellent Books for Black History Month & All Year

Black History is such a powerful, inspiring and important history for everyone to hear and learn from. This list includes books that teach about the injustices in Black History and how strong individuals overcame as well as books that celebrate Black heritage. Each one of these books has so much to offer and they make excellent books for not only black history month, but all year long.

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Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome- This look at Harriet Tubmans life is beautifully rendered and instantly became a new favorite of mine.

Sisters: Venus & Serena Williams Jeanette Winter- This nonfiction biography covers the careers of tennis pros Venus and Serena Williams. I love it’s focus on their relationship as sisters as well as the support from their community in learning tennis.

The Bell Rang (ALA Notable Children’s Books. Younger Readers (Awards)) by James E. Ransome- This poignant and beautiful book addresses slavery in a way that is powerful and is a great tribute tho those brave enough to make a run for freedom.

Charlie Takes His Shot: How Charlie Sifford Broke the Color Barrier in Golf by Nancy Churnin and John Joven- This tells the story of how Charlie Sifford made a name for himself in the sport of golf and how he broke through the color barrier there. Inspiring and well done.

Libba: The Magnificent Musical Life of Elizabeth Cotten by Kyo Maclear and Julie Morstad- This is a beautiful tribute to Elizabeth Cotten, her life and her talent. It’s a great one.

I Am Brown by Ashok Banker and Sandhya Prabhat- This book is a wonderful celebration of loving who you are the way you are and how differences are a cause for joy as well as what ties us together.

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands by Kadir Nelson- The text in this book is the lyrics to “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands” and the beautiful words along with the incredible illustrations is stunning and full of hope.

Let the Children March by Monica Clark-Robinson and Frank Morrison- This nonfiction book tells the story of the children in Birmingham Alabama who volunteered to march for civil rights after hearing Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speak in 1963. It shows the power and influence that children can have beautifully.

I Have a Dream (Book & CD) by Dr. Martin Luther King J. and Kadir Nelson- The text in this book is the text of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.s famous “I Have a Dream” speech. Paired with the incredible illustrations it is especially powerful and beautiful.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (A Big Words Book, 1) by Doreen Rappaport and Bryan Collier- This picture book biography is fantastic. It uses direct quotes from Martin’s speeches throughout to tell his story in his own words.

Carter Reads the Newspaper by Deborah Hopkinson and Don Tate- This fabulous nonfiction book is the story of Carter G. Woodson and how he became known as “the father of black history month.”

RESPECT: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul by Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison- This picture book biography is a well done tribute to the life, carrier and influence fo Aretha Franklin. Love it!

The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, a Young Civil Rights Activist by Cynthia Levinson and Vanessa Brantley Newton-This is the story of Audrey Faye Hendricks who at nine years old is the youngest known child to be arrested at a civil rights protest in Birmingham Alabama in 1963.

Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justie by Nikki Grimes and Laura Freeman- This is a picture book biography of Kamala Harris that tells of her civil rights heritage and the life choices that led her to where she is today. It’s very well done.

That Is My Dream!: A picture book of Langston Hughes’s “Dream Variation”. by Langston Hughes and Daniel Miyares- This picture book is an illustrated version of Langston Hughe’s poem “Dream Variation” that speaks of the hope of a world free of racism and prejudice.

Child of the Civil Rights Movement by Paula Young Shelton and Raul Colon- This nonfiction book is a beautiful look at the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement through the young perspective of Paula Young Shelton who’s father was an activist leader and who got to hear Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. teach as a child.

Lift Your Light a Little Higher: The Story of Stephen Bishop: Slave-Explorer by Heather Henson and Bryan Collier- This is the story of Stephen Bishop who in 1840 was a slave who became world famous as a guide through the Mammoth Caverns.

So Tall Within: Sojourner Truth’s Long Walk Toward Freedom by Gary D. Schmitt and Daniel Minter- This is a striking and powerful nonfiction biography of the life of Sojourner Truth and her resilience with overcoming struggle and her incredible work as a leader for women and African Americans.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly and Laura Freeman- A beautiful, nonfiction biography that tells the story four black women and their impactful contribution in the Space Race.

Lillian’s Right to Vote: A Celebration of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by Jonah Winter and Shane W. Evans- This one is powerful! It follows the history of black people gaining their right to vote in a heartbreaking and impactful timeline of one woman’s life/heritage. It demonstrates the heart and work that went into giving everyone the right to vote (as well as the unfair injustices surrounding it in the past) and how it should be respected and treasured.

Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematician by Lesa Cline-Ransome and Raúl Colón- This nonfiction biography tells the story of Kathering Johnson and how her math skills became essential to NASA. It’s absolutely fascinating and her work/life is inspiring

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