February YFE Staff Picks - New Kids Books for Black History MonthLike this list

28 items

• Greatness

  Bethencourt, Regis,

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  True to their iconic photographic style, this picture book from Kahran and Regis Bethencourt reimagines powerful moments from Black history through the eyes of the youngest readers.

• How Sweet the Sound

  Alexander, Kwame,

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  Featuring artists ranging from Miles Davis to Kendrick Lamar, dive into this stunningly illustrated celebration of the history of Black music in America by award-winning author Kwame Alexander.

• Maya Angelou Finds Her Voice

  Roop, Connie,

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  Inspired by a true story from Maya Angelou's childhood, this expertly researched and luminously illustrated picture book explores how a beloved mentor helped young Maya rediscover the poetry of self-expression and the power of her voice.

• Go Forth and Tell

  the Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller

  McDaniel, Breanna J.,

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  A picture book biography about librarian and storyteller Augusta Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public library. One of our favorite books of 2024!

• Go Tell It

  How James Baldwin Became a Writer

  Harris, Quartez,

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  This picture book biography of an American icon is a poetic introduction to James Baldwin and celebration of the power of language.

• Ruby Bridges

  a Talk With My Teacher

  Bridges, Ruby,

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  Acclaimed civil rights icon, Ruby Bridges, shares the touching tale of reuniting with the first-grade teacher who changed her life, Mrs. Henry.

• Glenn Burke, Game Changer

  the Man Who Invented the High Five

  Bildner, Phil,

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  A picture book biography about Glenn Burke, the first Major League Baseball player to come out as gay, and the story of how he created the world's most recognizable handshake, the high five.

• Claudette Colvin

  I Want Freedom Now!

  Colvin, Claudette, 1939-

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  Civil rights icon Claudette Colvin teams up with Phillip Hoose--author of the Newbery Honor and National Book Award-winning blockbuster biography Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice--to tell her groundbreaking story in this unforgettable picture…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Becoming a Ballerina

  the Story of Michaela Mabinty DePrince

  Obuobi, Laura,

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  A triumphant nonfiction picture book about ballet star Michaela Mabinty DePrince, one of the most celebrated ballerinas of our generation. This lyrical true tale follows her childhood, from Sierra Leone orphan to world famous dancer.

• A Voice of Hope

  the Myrlie Evers-Williams Story

  Salomon, Nadia,

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  The remarkable life of Myrlie Evers-Williams is honored and celebrated in this stunningly illustrated picture book biography of a civil rights hero--the very first of its kind.

• What I Must Tell the World

  How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice

  Leslie, Jay,

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  As a young girl, playwright Lorraine Hansberry walked everywhere with a notebook, eager to capture the sights, sounds, and stories of the people around her. As an adult, she unlocked the power of her voice, crafting A Raisin in the Sun. Her play…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Prince Among Slaves

  the Remarkable True Story of An African Prince Enslaved in Mississippi, and His Journey Home

  Senzai, N. H.,

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  The extraordinary and consequential biography of Abdulrahman Ibrahim Ibn Sori, a Muslim West African prince turned enslaved plantation worker, and his lifelong fight to be free and return home.

• Let's Fly

  Barrington Irving's Record-breaking Flight Around the World

  Irving, Barrington, 1983-

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  The true story of Barrington Irving, who broke records as the youngest person and first Black man to fly solo around the world--co-authored by Barrington and award-winning author Chana Stiefel, with art by New York Times bestselling illustrator…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Mae Jemison

  Williams, Lesley (Librarian),

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  Mae Jemison was the first Black woman to go to space. She is an astronaut, doctor, engineer, writer, teacher, and dancer. In all her work, she inspires others to follow their curiosity, believe in themselves, and reach for the stars. This is her…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Make a Pretty Sound

  a Story of Ella Jenkins -The First Lady of Children's Music

  Todd, Traci N.,

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  This book tells Ella's story from the time she was a young child, first learning about music through her Uncle Flood playing harmonica, to her encounters with racial discrimination, and finally her involvement with the folk music movement and her…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Coretta

  the Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King

  King, Coretta Scott, 1927-2006,

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  Adapted from her adult memoir, this is an award-winning autobiography of Coretta Scott King...wife of Martin Luther King, Jr., founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (the King Center), and twentieth-century…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Unstoppable John

  How John Lewis Got His Library Card -- and Helped Change History

  Miller, Pat Zietlow,

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  With an in-depth author's note, a timeline of John Lewis's life, and a lengthy list of resources, this book explores the profound impact John had on the world and that books had on him.

• Up Periscope!

  How Engineer Raye Montague Revolutionized Shipbuilding

  Swanson, Jennifer,

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  A picture book biography of engineer Raye Montague, who revolutionized the way the navy designed ships by developing her own comprehensive computer program.

• And She Was Loved

  Toni Morrison's Life in Stories

  Pinkney, Andrea Davis,

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  Stunning poetry and illustrations introduce a new generation to the beloved literary icon Toni Morrison.

• Beacon of Hope

  the Life of Barack Obama

  Rappaport, Doreen,

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  A magnificently illustrated picture book biography of Barack Obama​ a tireless organizer, a brilliant orator, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the first Black president of the United States of America.