Black History Month

Let It Shine: Three Favorite Spirituals by Ashley Bryan
With a kaleidoscope of color and cut paper, a two-time Coretta Scott King Award winner celebrates three favorite spirituals: "This Little Light of Mine," "Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In," and "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands."
Recommended for grades pre-K to 3.

Lily Brown's Paintings by Angela Johnson
When Lily Brown paints, her world starts to change . . . trees wear hats and drink tea, people walk upside down, and apples sing all the way home from the store. Johnson's lyrical writing compliments Lewis' delightful watercolors in this beautiful illustrated book about a little girl who explores the world in a special way.
Recommended for grades pre-K to 2.

Harlem Hustle by Janet McDonald
"Hustle's personal "Harlem" was sorely in need of a renaissance. For him, it was the place where a scared kid named Eric Samson had been ditched by druggy parents and dismissed by frustrated teachers."
Abandoned to the streets to raise himself, Eric Samson knows life won't be easy, beginning with the choices he must make. The fast cash of the streets still tempts him, but the threat of getting locked up - again - is daunting. Maybe Eric's way out is as Harlem Hustle, the rapper he dreams of being. At his side is Manley "Ride" Freeman, surrogate brother and best friend. And Jeannette Simpson, the college-bound "round-the-way" girl he hopes will be more than a friend. But does Eric have the strength to leave the familiar street life behind and the courage to reach for his dream?
Recommended for grades 9 and up.

Wind Flyers by Angela Johnson
Three-time Coretta Scott King Award-winning author Johnson presents this bittersweet story about a young boy inspired by his great-great uncle, who was a member of the Tuskegee Airmen, an elite squadron of black pilots during World War II.
Recommended for grades 1 to 4.

Henry's Freedom Box by Ellen Levine
In this powerful story, Levine weaves together the extraordinary events in the life of Henry "Box" Brown, who as a young boy hid in a wooden crate in one of the most amazing escapes using the Underground Railroad.
Recommended for grades 2 to 4.

Shouting! by Joyce Carol Thomas
Propelled by gospel music, "shouting" is when people in church get so happy and filled with spirit that they break out in song, stomp their feet, clap their hands, and raise them high. A National Book Award winner and an acclaimed artist present this picture book that shows what happens when the good spirit moves a church congregation.
Recommended for grades pre-K to 3.

American Slave, American Hero: York of the Lewis and Clark Expedition by Laurence Pringle
With a detailed text and handsome watercolor paintings, this illustrated biography celebrates the heroic role of Clark's personal slave on the famous expedition out west in 1804, with the horror of slavery in the background. Pringle is meticulous about what is documented and what is "probably" true: "No one knows exactly when he was born or his mother's name," he notes. Nor is there a record of the slave York married. Words and stirring pictures focus on the role of the powerful black man on the thrilling journey, including his association with several of the Indian peoples; he was hailed as a national hero. Perhaps 10 years later, Clark gave York his freedom.
Recommended for grades 3 to 5.

Night Boat to Freedom by Margot Theis Raven
When Granny Judith asks twelve-year-old Christmas John to row Molly, cook's daughter, across the river from Kentucky to the Free State of Ohio, he's terrified. Bravely, he begins the first of many journeys. Each time he returns, Granny Judith asks what color clothing his passenger wore, for she's had a dream-vision and is making a quilt from squares of these "freedom colors." When there are only two squares left, she tells him, "Dream says we got to get ourselves over the river, 'cause the danger's gonna grow awful."
Recommended for grades 2 to 6.

The Road to Paris by Nikki Grimes
Paris has just moved in with the Lincoln family, and isn't thrilled to be in yet another foster home. She has a tough time trusting people, and she misses her brother, who's been sent to a boys' home. Over time, the Lincolns grow on Paris. But no matter how hard she tries to fit in, she can't ignore the feeling that she never will, especially in a town that's mostly white while she is half black. It isn't long before Paris has a big decision to make about where she truly belongs.
Recommended for grades 4 to 6.

A Friendship for Today by Patricia McKissack
In 1954 Missouri, 12-year-old Rosemary Patterson is about to make history as one of the first African-American students to enter the all-white school in her town. When the girl who has shown her the most cruelty becomes an unlikely confidante, Rosemary learns important truths about the power of friendship to overcome prejudice.
Recommended for grades 4 to 6.

The Escape of Oney Judge: Martha Washington's Slave Finds Freedom by Emily Arnold McCully
When General George Washington is elected the first President of the United States, his wife chooses young Oney Judge, a house slave who works as a seamstress at Mount Vernon, to travel with her to the nation's capital in New York City as her personal maid. When the capital is moved to Philadelphia, the Washingtons and Oney move, too, and there Oney meets free blacks for the first time. At first Oney can't imagine being free - she depends on the Washingtons for food, warmth, and clothing. But then Mrs. Washington tells Oney that after her death she will be sent to live with Mrs. Washington's granddaughter. Oney is horrified because she knows it is likely that she will then be sold to a stranger - the worst fate she can imagine. Oney realizes she must run. One day she sees an opportunity and takes it, ending up in New Hampshire, where she lives the rest of her life, poor but free.
Recommended for grades 1 to 4.

See the winners of the Coretta Scott King Award for additional titles.