African American Library

Printz Award winner Walter Dean Myers deftly draws a compassionate portrait of a boy's odyssey of self-discovery and the acceptance and empathy for others he learns along the way. David doesn't know what to make of his father, Reuben. His older brother, Tyrone, says Reuben is crazy. But Tyrone...

A young artist is eager to share her colorful artwork but when the rainbow she creates causes confusion among her classmates, she must overcome self-doubt in this empowering picture book about embracing the artist in you! When Maya’s class is asked to draw something inspired by nature, she...

From the Newberry Honor-winning author of Box: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom comes a joyful audiobook set to “This Little Light of Mine.” It’s the perfect gift for all of life’s milestones. This little light reflects an everlasting flame: Hope that was passed down to you by those...

A young girl spends a magical day in her grandad's painting studio, discovering the joy of art, music, and the special bond they share. By the granddaughter of legendary Caldecott Medal-winning children's book illustrator Jerry Pinkney. Step into the warm, jazz-filled world of a young girl and...

A girl learns how the history of redlining has affected her neighborhood in this intergenerational audiobook about racism, community action, and resilience by two New York Times bestselling authors. Olivia can’t wait to invite her friends to the 62nd annual Main Street Block Party. But when...

Kids will be inspired to embrace their inner weirdness and persevere through obstacles after reading this empowering collection of true stories from teenage Scripps National Spelling Bee champ and Guinness World Record holder Zaila Avant-garde! After Zaila Avant-garde became the first African...

The second installment in a hilarious and charming chapter book series featuring exuberant and irresistible third-grader Millie Magnus. When Millie Magnus hears hints of a plan to tear down the neighborhood playground, she knows she and her friends absolutely can’t let that happen. Millie...

For fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Big Nate comes the third book in this laugh-out-loud series about a class clown faking his way through middle school from comedian and film star Craig Robinson, #1 New York Times bestselling author Adam Mansbach, and NAACP History Maker recipient and...

A Finalist for the National Book Award When Ada leaves home for her freshman year at a Historically Black College, it’s the first time she’s ever been so far from her family—and the first time that she’s been able to make her own choices and to seek her place in this new world. As she...

A lyrical story of star-crossed love perfect for readers of The Hate U Give, by National Ambassador for Children’s Literature Jacqueline Woodson--now celebrating its twentieth anniversary, and including a new preface by the author Jeremiah feels good inside his own skin. That is, when he's in...

A CORETTA SCOTT KING HONOR BOOK Jazmin Shelby was "born with clenched fists"-which is okay, since she's got a lot of fighting ahead of her. Her dad died a couple of years back, and now that her mom's in the hospital, it's just her and her big sister, CeCe. But that's fine by Jazmin. She's got...

Jordan is going to join a gang. But just as he's about to start his future with the Cobras, his past calls him back. Way back--to the nineteenth-century, where he meets his ancestors and gets a bitter taste of what life was like for them as slaves. Jordan must live with the constant threat of...

Gabriel King believes he was born chicken. He’s afraid of spiders, corpses, loose cows, and just about everything related to the fifth grade. If it’s a choice between graduating or staying in the fourth grade forever, he’s going to stay put–only his best friend, Frita Wilson, won’t...

An astonishing civil rights story from Newbery Honor winner and National Book Award finalist Steve Sheinkin. On July 17, 1944, a massive explosion rocked the segregated Navy base at Port Chicago, California, killing more than 300 sailors who were at the docks, critically injuring off-duty men...

The whole world seems to transform during the summer of 1965, when Eden’s cousin from Mississippi comes to visit her in L.A. just as the Watts Riots erupt, in this stirring new novel by Coretta Scott King Honor winner Brenda Woods. When Eden’s cousin Winter comes for a visit, it turns out...

Eight-year-old kid barber J.D. joins forces with his sister, who has beauty shop dreams, in this hilarious chapter book series. J.D. is a barber battle champion. He's graduated from home haircuts to having a regular chair at the neighborhood shop, Hart and Son, and he's making enough money to...

A novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend. Perfect for readers of Elizabeth Acevedo and Nikki Grimes. "Mahogany L. Browne's debut YA ia an absolute masterpiece. It will leave you breathless." -Elizabeth Acevedo, New York...

"If you are wondering how to begin confronting Anti-Black racism in your classroom, start with What Lane?"--School Library Journal: The Classroom Bookshelf "STAY IN YOUR LANE." Stephen doesn't want to hear that--he wants to have no lane. Anything his friends can do, Stephen should be able to do...

Actress, activist, and now Danicing with the Stars competitor Skai Jackson shares her lessons on life and her rise to stardom in this vibrant memoir about self-acceptance, girl empowerment, and the classy clapback. Actress and activist Skai Jackson is a star! Her rise to fame started on the...

Sally Harrison and her family are slaves on a plantation in Georgia. But when Master decides to sell Sally and her brother, the family escapes to seek shelter with a tribe of Seminoles who are rumored to adopt runaway slaves. After a perilous journey, Sally’s family finds and joins the tribe...