Celebrating Black History Month: Book Recommendations for All Ages

In honor of Black History Month, we checked in with education professionals and literary experts across the network for their recommendations on must-read titles for the whole family. Here, they share their top picks—from picture books to engage your littlest readers to novels perfect for older teens and adults alike—that promise to inspire, educate, and move readers every month of the year.

Our experts: Marcia Church, speech language pathologist and founder of Pediatric Speech Stars in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas; Dr. Becca Thiemann, owner of Becca’s Book Box & Tutoring Services and co-founder of Kindergarten Ready Through Play in Cincinnati, Ohio; Rachel Joiner, school librarian at Advent Episcopal School in Birmingham, Alabama; Ellen Daniels, executive director of the Mississippi Book Festival in Jackson, Mississippi; Sharon Michiko Yap, head of school at Montessori Casa dei Bambini in Boise, Idaho; and Dr. Patricia Sims, president of Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama.

Picture Books & Lower Elementary

Mixed: A Colorful Story, by Arree Chung
“In this wonderful children’s book the colors are all in separate cities and initially against mixing together until they realize the importance of acceptance and mixing together to create a new community full of diversity.” – Marcia Church

I Am Enough, by Grace Byers
“This book is a great guide to help parents begin introducing the use of verbal affirmations for children starting from a young age, with beautiful diverse pictures representing a variety of cultures.” – Marcia Church 

Ice Cream Man: How Augustus Jackson Made a Sweet Treat Better, by Glenda Armand and Kim Freeman
“Children love to know the history of how things came to be and this is a fun and fascinating story about ice cream and how it’s a part of Black history. All kids would love to know this inspiring story!” – Dr. Becca Thiemann

Kick Push: Be Your Epic Self, by Frank Morrison
“I was genuinely hoping this book would be honored by the Caldecott committee this year—it’s so much fun. At its core, it’s a book about being in a new place, while still remaining true to yourself and finding your people.The art is so modern and striking; it’s almost as if you can see movement on each page when Epic skates through the neighborhood.” – Rachel Joiner

Overground Railroad, by Lesa Cline-Ransome, illustrated by James Ransome
“Told through poems that readers will think about long after they finish this book, the story follows young Ruth Ellen’s journey during the Great Migration when millions of Black Americans migrated north towards freedom and the chance at a better life. During the trip, Ruth Ellen reads Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, reflecting on how his journey mirrors hers.” – Ellen Daniels

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History, by Vashti Harrison
“Featuring the stories of 40 inspiring Black women in American History, this book will introduce children to women that paved the way through their immense contributions to society.” – Sharon Michiko Yap

Middle Grade & Young Adult

My Selma: True Stories of a Southern Childhood at the Height of the Civil Rights Movement, by Willie Mae Brown
“This brand-new collection of stories shares a glimpse into what life was like as a child during the civil rights movement. A new release just in time to celebrate Black History Month.” – Dr. Becca Thiemann

Harbor Me, by Jacqueline Woodson
“Everyone I’ve recommended this book to has come back to tell me how much they loved it. Woodson writes such lyrical, compelling stories; this one is about a group of students thrown together weekly in a room to ‘just talk.’ They quickly become invested in each other and learn and grow from the experience. It’s so tragically real and heart-warming that you’ll find yourself wishing the story wouldn’t end.” – Rachel Joiner

Clean Getaway, by Nic Stone
“The story of a road trip taken by a young Black boy, Scoob, and his adventurous white grandmother, this novel transports you from modern-day Atlanta across the south to important locations in civil rights history. Over this romp of a road trip, Scoob receives a vital history lesson, not only of his people but the real story about his late-grandfather and the people he is closest to.” – Ellen Daniels

Dear Martin, by Nic Stone
“This is one of the most gripping and moving novels I have read in years. It’s sure to make a deep impact on how we view past and current events, and how we move forward as a culture together.” – Dr. Becca Thiemann

Graphic Novels

New Kid, by Jerry Craft
“This Newbery Award-winning book is fantastic and relatable for a wide range of age groups. The combination of the art and the feeling of being an outsider come together to make a just about perfect slice of realistic fiction. Thankfully, Craft has continued the series with books centering on the ensemble of characters in the first book.” – Rachel Joiner

March: Book One, Two, & Three, by Rep. John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell  
“Told as a first-person account by John Lewis, one of the greatest civil rights leaders in history, this trilogy is accessible to many ages. Readers will be drawn in by the powerful art and determination of the young boy that grew up on a farm in Georgia, who imagined a brighter future for himself, his people, and his country. This is the first graphic series ever to receive a National Book Award!” – Ellen Daniels

Adult

Take My Hand, by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
“Taking place in Montgomery, Alabama, and including scenes at Tuskegee University, this book felt so personal to me. Although classified as historical fiction, it highlights current problems in our healthcare system that continue to impact the marginalized in our communities to this day.” – Dr. Patricia Sims

The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd
“Although this novel came out in 2014, in my opinion, it still remains one of the most meaningful and significant stories of our collective history. Based on a true story set in Charleston, South Carolina, this is the story of a young girl and her slave, their coming of age, and the trials and tribulations they face throughout their lives. Not only is it expertly written, but it will encourage deep thinking about our history.” – Dr. Becca Thiemann

Pediatric Speech Stars appears in The Scout Guide Southlake & Grapevine. Becca’s Book Box & Tutoring Services and Kindergarten Ready Through Play appear in The Scout Guide Cincinnati & Northern Kentucky. Advent Episcopal School appears in The Scout Guide Birmingham. The Mississippi Book Festival appears in The Scout Guide Jackson. Montessori Casa dei Bambini appears in The Scout Guide Boise & The Treasure Valley. Drake State Community & Technical College appears in The Scout Guide Huntsville.