Author: Rio Cortez   |   Published: 2020

Age category: Picture book; Grades K+

Summary: With simple yet lyrically written text, poet Rio Cortez presents key names, moments, and places in Black history in a unique alphabet book. This is an opportunity for children to learn their ABCs to the sound of words beyond “apple,” “boy,” and “cat,” and an opportunity for young thinkers to prepare for big ideas.

Author: Parker Curry, Jessica Curry, Brittany Jackson  |  Published: 2019

Age category: Picture book; Grades P-3

Summary: “Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment” is a picture book inspired by a real-life encounter between a young girl named Parker Curry and a portrait of Michelle Obama. The story follows Parker’s awe-inspiring experience as she gazes up at the portrait, recognizing herself reflected in the image of the former First Lady. The book celebrates the impact of representation and the profound connection between art and identity.

Author: Jacqueline Woodson   |   Published: 2022

Age category: Picture book; Grades K-3

Summary: Jacqueline Woodson’s lyrical text and Rafael Lopez’s dazzling art in “The Year We Learned to Fly” celebrate the extraordinary ability to lift ourselves up and imagine a better world. On a dreary day, two Black siblings use their imagination to escape their boredom. This skill, their grandmother tells them, comes from their ancestors who showed the world strength and resilience.

Author: Ellen Levine, Kadir Nelson   |  Published: 2007

Age category: Picture book; Grades 2-5

Summary: In “Henry’s Freedom Box” by Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson, Henry Brown doesn’t know how old he is. After all, nobody keeps records of enslaved people’s birthdays. Eventually, he decides to mail himself to the North to escape slavery. After an arduous journey in the crate, Henry finally has a birthday — his first day of freedom.

Author: Cynthia Levinson   |   Published: 2017

Age category:  Picture book; Grades 3-5

Summary: This moving picture book by Cynthia Levinson proves you’re never too little to make a difference. “The Youngest Marcher” follows nine-year-old Audrey Faye Hendricks, the youngest known child to be arrested for participating in a civil rights protest against segregation laws in Birmingham, Alabama, 1963. Audrey was confident and bold and brave as can be, and hers is the remarkable and inspiring story of one child’s role in the Civil Rights Movement.

Author: Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich   |   Published: 2022

Age category: Elementary; Grades 3-6

Summary: “Operation Sisterhood” by Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkovich shares the story of eleven-year old Bo as she adjusts to a new way of life. When her mom gets married, Bo gains new sisters and a music-minded blended family that is much larger, louder, and more complex than she ever imagined.

Author: Margot Lee Shetterly   |   Published: 2016

Age category: Middle grade; Grades 6-9

Summary: “Hidden Figures” tells the powerful story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program. Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets and astronauts into space.

Author: Ruby Bridges   |   Published: 1999

Age category: Middle grade; Grades 5-7

Summary: Told by Ruby Bridges herself, “Through My Eyes” is the story of a pivotal event in history: the first African American child to attend a formerly whites-only Louisiana elementary school. Ruby’s poignant words, quotations from writers and from other adults who observed her, and dramatic photographs recreate an amazing story of innocence, courage, and forgiveness.

Author: Christopher Paul Curtis   |   Published: 1995

Age category: Middle grade; Grades 6-7

Summary: “The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963” follows the Watson family, an African American family living in Flint, Michigan, as they embark on a road trip to Birmingham, Alabama, during the tumultuous Civil Rights era. Through the eyes of ten-year-old Kenny, the novel explores themes of family, friendship, and racial prejudice as the Watsons encounter both humorous and harrowing experiences along the way. When tragedy strikes in Birmingham, the family is forced to confront the realities of racial violence and injustice, leading to a deeper understanding of love, resilience, and the importance of standing up for what is right.

Author: Mildred D. Taylor   |   Published: 1976

Age category: Middle grade; Grades 6-8

Summary: “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor follows the Logan family, African American farmers living in Mississippi during the Great Depression. Through the eyes of Cassie Logan, the story explores themes of racism, injustice, and resilience as the family confronts discrimination and violence from their white neighbors. As they strive to maintain their dignity and land, the Logans face numerous challenges but ultimately stand together in solidarity against oppression.

Author: Kristin Levine   |   Published: 2012

Age category: Middle grade; Grades 6-8

Summary: “The Lions of Little Rock” by Kristin Levine tells the story of two girls, Marlee and Liz, who become unlikely friends in 1958 Little Rock, Arkansas, during the height of school desegregation. When Liz disappears from school due to threats against integration, Marlee must find the courage to stand up for what is right, despite her own fears and the dangers surrounding her. Through their friendship and resilience, Marlee and Liz demonstrate the power of unity and perseverance in the face of adversity.

Author: Jacqueline Woodson   |   Published: 2014

Age category: Middle grade/high school; Grades 7-12

Summary: “Brown Girl Dreaming” is Jacqueline Woodson’s memoir in verse, chronicling her childhood experiences growing up as an African American girl in the 1960s and 1970s. Through vivid and lyrical language, Woodson reflects on her family, her roots in the South, and the challenges of finding her voice as a writer. The book explores themes of identity, racism, and the power of storytelling, offering a deeply personal narrative of strength and hope.

Author: Angie Thomas   |   Published: 2017

Age category: High school; Grades 9-12

Summary: “The Hate U Give” follows Starr Carter, a young African American girl who witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood friend Khalil by a white police officer. As Starr navigates between her predominantly Black neighborhood and her predominantly white prep school, she grapples with her identity and the pressure to speak out against injustice. Through her journey, Starr finds her voice and becomes a powerful advocate for justice and equality in her community.

Author: Alice Walker   |   Published: 1982

Age category: High school; Grades 9-12

Summary: “The Color Purple” is a powerful novel that follows the life of Celie, an African American woman in the early 20th-century South, as she struggles to find her voice and identity amidst poverty, abuse, and racism. Through letters to God and her sister Nettie, Celie shares her experiences of oppression, love, and, ultimately, self-discovery. As she forms deep connections with other women, including the independent Shug Avery, Celie learns to reclaim her own strength and resilience, finding hope and liberation in the face of adversity.

Author: Ralph Ellison   |   Published: 1952

Age category: High school; Grades 11-12

Summary: “Invisible Man” by Ralph Ellison follows the journey of an unnamed African American narrator, from his time in the South to his involvement with a Harlem-based political organization. As he grapples with racial prejudice and societal expectations, the narrator struggles to define his identity and purpose in a world that often renders him invisible. Through vivid imagery and profound themes, Ellison’s novel explores the complexities of race, identity, and the quest for individuality in a racially divided America.

Author: Yaa Gyasi   |   Published: 2016

Age category: High school; Grades 11-12

Summary: “Homegoing” by Yaa Gyasi traces the lives of two half-sisters and their descendants over several generations, beginning in 18th-century Ghana. Effia is married off to a British man, while Esi is captured and sold into slavery, setting the divergent paths for their families. Through vivid storytelling, Gyasi explores the legacy of slavery and colonialism, examining how the past shapes the present for each successive generation and ultimately weaving together a rich tapestry of interconnected lives spanning continents and centuries.