Black History Book Recommendations

The ABCs of Black History

Rio Cortez

Grade K - 2

An engaging alphabet book that introduces young readers to key moments, figures, and ideas from Black history in an accessible and empowering way.

I Am Every Good Thing

Derrick Barnes

Grade K - 2

A joyful affirmation of Black childhood that celebrates confidence, imagination, and self-worth, helping children see themselves as capable and valued.

Separate is Never Equal

Duncan Tonatiuh

Grade 3 - 5

Tells the true story of Sylvia Mendez and her family’s fight to end school segregation, showing students that young people and families can be powerful agents of change.

Mae Among the Stars

Roda Ahmed

Grade 3 - 5

Inspired by Mae Jemison’s life, this book encourages perseverance and curiosity while highlighting the importance of representation in science and leadership.

March

John Lewis

Grade 6 - 8

This graphic memoir recounts the Civil Rights Movement through the eyes of Congressman John Lewis, making history engaging and accessible for young readers.

Stamped

Jason Reynolds & Ibram X. Kendi

Grade 6 - 8

A clear and compelling exploration of how racist ideas developed over time, written in language that helps students understand history’s impact on the present.

The Hate You Give

Angie Thomas

Grade 9 - 12

A powerful novel that follows a Black teen navigating identity, activism, and justice after witnessing police violence, sparking critical conversations about race and voice.

Just Mercy

Bryan Stevenson

Grade 9 - 12

This memoir exposes injustices within the U.S. criminal legal system while emphasizing empathy, fairness, and the importance of standing up for human dignity.

The New Jim Crow

Michelle Alexander

College

This groundbreaking book examines how mass incarceration functions as a modern system of racial control, challenging readers to rethink justice, punishment, and equality in the United States.

How We Get Free

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

College

A collection of essays that explores abolition, feminism, and collective liberation, encouraging readers to imagine justice beyond punishment and toward care, accountability, and community power.

The Fire Next Time

James Baldwin

General Audience

A powerful reflection on race, morality, and the consequences of injustice in America. Baldwin’s words remain deeply relevant in moments of political tension and social reckoning.

We Were Eight Years in Power

Ta-Nehisi Coates

General Audience

A collection of essays examining Black political life, power, and backlash during the Obama era—essential for understanding how progress and resistance coexist.

Freedom is a Constant Struggle

Angela Y. Davis

General Audience

Connects Black liberation struggles to global movements for justice, emphasizing solidarity, anti-racism, and sustained political action.

From #BlackLivesMatter to Black Liberation

Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor

Genearl Audience

A clear-eyed look at modern racial justice movements, structural inequality, and the role of grassroots organizing in shaping political change.

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