February is Black History Month—a time to honor Black excellence, resilience, and culture. The New Orleans Public Library offers a diverse collection of Black history books for kids, teens, and families, helping readers explore Black culture, historical achievements, and influential voices. From picture books to middle-grade reads and YA nonfiction, these must-read Black history books spark conversations, celebrate trailblazers, and inspire future generations.
Young Readers
Introduce a new generation to beloved literary icon Tony Morrison with And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison’s Life in Stories by Andrea Davis Pinkney & Daniel Minter. This beautifully illustrated book of poetry praises the power of this Nobel Prize winner and powerhouse writer.
Or, children can learn about another literary hero with Quartez Harris & Gordon C. James’s Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer. Young readers will meet James Baldwin before he became a celebrated novelist, essayist, playwright, poet, and activist who showed the world the fullness of Black American life, in a picture book biography that celebrates the power of reading, hard wor,k and following dreams.
In Black Joy: Love Yourself, Love Your Culture by Charnaie Gordon & Lhaiza Morena, little ones are invited to follow a young Black child for a day and learn the different ways to experience Black love, from the romantic love between parents to the familial love of siblings, to admiration for teachers and respect for community leaders and more.
Middle Grade
From the Montgomery bus boycott to the Black Lives Matter movement, food has played a vital role in strengthening and shaping Black empowerment. In Recipes for Change: 12 Dishes Inspired by a Year in Black History by Michael Platt & Alleanna Harris, middle-grade readers can embark on a visual journey through moving and authentic accounts of 12 months in Black history. Featuring recipes and biographies of important figures, this book will inspire leaders of the future with real stories of trailblazers who helped to change the world
Sports Superstars From Black History: Inspiring Stories from the Amazing Careers of Serena Williams, Simone Biles, Allyson Felix, Lebron James, and Many More African American Sports Legends By Sophia Murphy is a collection of true-life stories about some of America’s top athletes and how they overcame challenges to achieve their dreams.
Stories of the Spirit of Justice by Jemar Tisby is a great way to learn about both well-known and forgotten figures from history who resisted racism and created a legacy of hope and perseverance.
Teen
For teens interested in lesser-known histories, The Spirit of Freedom: Powerful Women of the Civil Rights Movement by Martin Gitlin is a perfect read. The book shines a light on the unsung women of the Civil Rights Movement, women who overcame enormous odds to fight for the rights of Black Americans, and who often don’t get the recognition they deserve.
The Swans of Harlem: Five Black Ballerinas, a Legacy of Sisterhood, and Their Reclamation of a Groundbreaking History: Adapted for Young Adults by Karen Valby is a full accounting of five incredibly talented Black ballerinas from the Dance Theater of Harlem that illuminates their hard-fought, historic and overlooked contributions to the world of classical dance at a time when racism shut out Black dancers from major companies.