THE READING LIST

View our list of Black Owned Bookstores

He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands By: Kadir Nelson
A beautifully illustrated visual of the African-American spiritual by the same name, Nelson brings the song to life. The story tells how we are all connected to one another and nature through a boy's eyes.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad By: Ellen Levine
The true story of Henry Box Brown, a former slave who mailed himself to freedom in 1849. After repeatedly watching his family being ripped apart by slavery, he decides to mail himself north to freedom.

The Real Slam Dunk By: Charisse Richardson
A story of how Marcus Robinson has the opportunity to meet his basketball hero but learns a valuable lession in the process.

Blue Sky White Stars By: Sarvinder Naberhaus
A patriotic look at the American Flag through illustrations of America. Images of landscapes, people and places compared to the American Flag.

Hewett Anderson's Great Big Life By: Jerdine Nolen
A different take on the tale of Jack and the Beanstalk with a more imaginative tale about the giant's world.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat By: Javaka Steptoe
The story of the young Jean-Michel Basquiat growing up and seeing art everywhere around him in his native Brooklyn, NY.

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth and Harlem’s Greatest Bookstore By: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson
The story of the historical Harlem bookstore, The National Memorial African Bookstore. The story of how it was created by Levis Micheaux Sr. because of his strong desire to read.

Last Stop On Market Street By: Matt De La Peña
After church, grandson and grandmother take a bus ride through town. As the grandson ask questions about the different things, the grandmother answers all her grandson's questions about life.

Sulwe By: Lupita Nyong
The story follows little Sulwe on a journey of self love. Sulwe learns to appreciate the beauty of her skin tone and unique gifts through the stars at night.

A Weed Is a Flower: The Life of George Washington Carver By: Aliki
A picture book biography about the life of George Washington Carver.

Nobody Owns the Sky: The Story of "Brave Bessie" Coleman By: Reeve Lindbergh
Biography of Bessie Coleman and her dream of becoming the first African-American pilot.

We are Kings and Queens By: Kareem Alexis
A series created to enlighten and educate African-American youth to see their herritage.

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra By: Andrea Pinkney
Biography book about famous jazz artist Duke Ellington.

What Color Is My World? By: Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
A children’s book giving tribute to lesser known black inventors. Praising inventors that created common, everyday things that we all use regularly, in imaginative stories.

The Undefeated By: Kwame Alexander
A book based on the 2019 poem by Kwame Alexander that won the Cladecott Medal in 2020. A nod to historical African-American figures such as Martin Luther King Jr., Gwendolyn Brooks and others.

Testing the Ice: A True Story About Jackie Robinson By: Sharon Robinson
Jackie Robinson’s daughter, Sharon, tells the true story of how her father moved to Connecticut after retirement from baseball.

Separate is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family's Fight for Desegregation By: Duncan Tonatiuh
A story told about the segregation of schools from the eyes of a child 10 years before Brown vs. Wade. The story follows Sylvia Mendez and her family as she tries to enroll in an all white school.

Little Leaders: Bold Woman in Black History By: Vashti Harrison
These are the true stories of lesser-known black woman in American history. These amazing trailblazers' stories are told through beautiful illustrations for all ages.

Honda: The Boy Who Dreamed of Cars By: Mark Weston
The life story of Soichiro Honda, the founder of the car and motorcycle brand.

The Season of Styx Malone By: Kekla Magoon
The story of two boys friendship. The boys go on an adventure together where miracles happen.

The Crossover By: Kwame Alexander
The coming of age story of Josh Bell, an up and coming basketball star. Finding out there is more to life than basketball, Josh realizes things change. Book 1

Booked By: Kwame Alexander
The followup book to The Crossover, this is the story of 12 year old, soccer obsessed, Nick. A coming of age story dealing with family, friends and dreams. Book 2

Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad By: Ann Petry
A biography about abolitionist Harriet Tubman and her life before and after find freedom.

Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina By: Misty Copeland
The children's version of the prize winning memoir by Misty Copeland. The story of staying strong and fighting for your dreams.

Finding Langston By: Lesa Cline-Ransome
The imaginative tale of Langston who has to move with his mother from Alabama to Chicago. Journey with Langston as he figures out his new surroundings.

Voice of Freedom Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement By: Carole Boston Weatherford
A children's version of the biography of civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer. Follow the legendary life and Hamer’s fight for justice in America during the civil rights movement.

William Still and the Underground Railroad By: Kathleen Stevens
The true story of William Still and the Underground Railroad. How Still, a free black man in Philadelphia, aided to free the enslaved from the south.

Ghost By: Jason Reynolds
The first book in the four part series follows Ghost as he becomes a member of an elite middle school track team. Ghost has always been running away from something until the coach of a middle school track team gives him something to run towards. Book 1

Patina By: Jason Reynolds
Patina is a great runner and has been choosen to join a middle school track team at an upscale new school. The story follows Patina as she struggles with home life and the new surroundings. Book 2

Sunny By: Jason Reynolds
The third book in the series follows Sunny, another member of the middle school track team. A coming of age story dealing with the struggles of your own dreams when they clash with the dreams your parents have for you. Book 3

Lu By: Jason Reynolds
Lu is the co-captain of his middle school track team and has the swag to go with it. Lu must find a way to propel the team to victory by overcoming obstacles on and off the track. Book 4

Piecing Me Together By: Renée Watson
Jade is a young woman from a underserved neighborhood that attends a private school away from friends and neighborhood to sieze the opportunity to succeed.

Proud: Living My American Dream By: Ibtihaj Muhammad
Ibtihaj Muhammad was the first Muslim American to win an Olympic gold medal, all while wearing a hijab in 2016. An inspiring story of hard work, self-reliance and the strength to overcome all obstacles.

Song of the Trees By: Mildred D. Taylor
The trees outside of Cassie's window are magical and bring her joy and comfort. They are also valuable. Cassie must try to fight to save the trees from being cut down.

Betty Before X By: Llyasah Shabazz and Renée Watson
A fictional account of the childhood of Betty Shabazz. The young activist shakes things up in her Detroit neighborhood.

Hush By: Jacqueline Woodson
The coming of age story of Evie Thomas. Evie's world is turned upside down after her family if forced to move and take on new identities.

Brown Girl Dreaming By: Jacqueline Woodson
A book of a collection of poems about gowing up during the Civil Rights Movement.

The Wizenard Series: Training Camp By: Wesley King
The series created by Kobe Bryant about five young basketball players, of the losing team, the West Bottom Badgers. A new coach, Professor Wizenard arrives and turns everything around for the team.

  • The Story of Moana: A Tale of Courage and Adventure By: Kari Sutherland
  • Miles Morales: Spider-Man By: Jason Reynolds
  • The Unstopable Wasp: Built on Hope By: Sam Maggs
  • Shuri: A Black Panther Novel By: Nic Stone
  • Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky By: Kwame Mbalia
  • Ironheart: Riri Williams By: Brian Michael Bendis
  • Artemis Fowl By: Eoin Colfer

Please support Black Owned Bookstores and purchase a book today.