Black History Month Recommendations for Kids from the Teen Reading Ambassadors
The New York Public Library's Teen Reading Ambassadors internship program brings together 10th–12th grade students to help further the Library's mission to inspire lifelong learning in others, particularly young children. Ambassadors work at NYPL After School programs across the city providing tutoring and literacy enrichment activities to children ages 6–12. They also show children the joy of reading by connecting them with engaging books from the Library’s collections!
Below, NYPL's Teen Reading Ambassadors recommend titles for children that feature the work of Black authors and illustrators and showcase Black characters, experiences, and history. While February is Black History Month, we believe that these titles are affirming, fun, and informative throughout the entire year!
See more ways The New York Public Library is celebrating Black History Month here.
The People Remember
written by Ibi Zoboi and illustrated by Loveis Wise
Ages 5–9
Recommended by Yuneydy P., Bronx Library Center
The People Remember is a beautiful book written to show the history of African Americans in the United States starting all the way back to the horrible slave trade conducted in Africa beginning in the 1500s. Before ever having the amount of equality we have today, author Ibi Zoboi explains how there was a constant war in our country that divided people of different skin colors. Being different was not special, but a problem, and throughout history, there were amazing people who sought to change that. Reading this book, you will find yourself understanding the huge changes the country has undergone and the amazing culture that grew from having such a strong community. Zoboi speaks on the fight for freedom from slavery to segregation to the police brutality that persists to this day. Most importantly, Zoboi reminds us that we must never forget the people who fought for this more equal country.
Stella’s Stellar Hair
by Yesenia Moises
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Aaliyah T., Mariners Harbor Library
Have you ever had trouble with your hair? Not knowing what you want to do with it? Well you’ll definitely relate to Stella! She’s on her way to Big Star Little Gala, but her hair doesn’t want to cooperate with her. Twists, turns, coils, and loop-de-loops, Stella has no idea what to do. So she travels through the solar system visiting her aunts. Maybe they will know what to do with her hair! From big, colorful, kinky curly afros to braids, and dreadlocks—every hairstyle you can imagine is found. Not only will you learn about these different hairstyles but also facts about the stars and planets in our solar system. Representation of a Black girl interacting with space isn’t very common to find in books, making this book a great treasure.
Milo Imagines The World
written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Christian Robinson
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Anastacia W., Mariners Harbor Library
Can you tell what someone's life is like at a glance? There is a great big world around us with so many people who live so many lives, some look like a beautiful bride on the way to her wedding and some like a handsome prince on his way to a great big ball. Read this brightly-colored bestselling children's book and follow a young Milo as he draws and imagines the lives of those around him. Find out if you really can tell someone's whole life just by looking at them or if you have to look at it from a new perspective.
Juneteenth for Mazie
by Floyd Cooper
Ages 6–9
Recommended by Alice B., Seward Park Library
Have you ever heard of Juneteenth? Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper tells the story of a young girl named Mazie celebrating the holiday with her father. Juneteenth is a holiday on June 19th that celebrates the freedom of African American slaves. As her dad teaches her the history, read this book and learn with Mazie. Juneteenth represents many things. It represents freedom and happiness. It also represents looking back on struggle and hardships. Read this book to find out what makes Juneteenth so special. Maybe you can also learn how to celebrate Juneteenth just like Mazie and her father!
Just Like Me
by Vanessa Brantley-Newton
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Yuneydy P., Bronx Library Center
Have you ever felt bad about the way you look? We're all different and you should never be afraid to let your light shine, something Vanessa Brantley-Newton shows us in her book. It's an inspiring book full of different poems that highlight who we are as girls despite our race, culture, or even the way we look. We're all beautiful. Sometimes we have pimples or our hair looks different than everyone else's, but by reading these poems you'll find that we all have flaws and parts of us that make us unique. You are a work of art just the way you are! In reading Just Like Me, you'll definitely be inspired to find your girl power.
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
written by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
Ages 6–9
Recommended by Alicia N., Bronx Library Center
This book is very powerful and can touch many people's minds and souls with the emotions and the descriptive visuals showing the cruelty African Americans had to endure for years for us to be here today. This book is very good for children to read to learn things they might not know and to teach them about their identity and acceptance of their culture and ancestry. Even if you are not African American, you will learn about the history and stories of African Americans. It teaches us how African Americans worked to develop many of the things we have today. Even though African Americans suffered, they managed to keep their joy, happiness, culture, and other traditions for generations. This book is very touching, offering important messages and history about where we come from.
The Old Boat
by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Aaliyah T., Mariners Harbor Library
This is a short story about a journey of a boy and his boat. The minimalist art is symbolic to what really makes this story. Time progression and the positive and negative impact humans have on nature are hinted at but not really mentioned, you have to look for it yourself!
The Proudest Blue
by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali and illustrated by Hatem Aly
Ages 5–8Recommended by Sakia T., Stapleton Library
Have you ever been excited to show off your true self only to have others make fun of you or not understand your uniqueness? Maybe you’re like Faizah who’s eager to wear the hijab, just like her older sister Asiya. InThe Proudest Blue, by Ibtihaj Muhammad and S.K. Ali, Faizah admires the beautiful blue color of Asiya’s hijab and the way it reminds her of the ocean. However, on the first day of school, not everyone sees the beauty of Asiya’s hijab and instead makes fun of her for it. How will Faizah react to these hurtful comments made about her beloved sister? What would you do if you were in this situation?
Also recommended by Nicole P., Kingsbridge Library
This book is about a little girl who idolizes her older sister when she gets her beautiful blue hijab. In the story, she admires it while some look down on it, but this doesn't stop her sister from embracing a special part of herself. In this book, there are beautiful colors and metaphors that children would love and the message of the book will not only educate children, but it will give inclusion to those to whom it applies.
Happy Hair
by Mechal Renee Roe
Ages 5–8
Recommended by Alice B., Seward Park Library
Do you ever feel down about your curly hair? Maybe you're just having a bad hair day? Happy Hair by Mechal Renee Roe shows the beauty of curly hair! If you have curly hair, this is the book for you! If you don't have curly hair, that's okay, you can absolutely read it too! There are all different types of styles: braids, blowouts, locs, and so much more. Why not add accessories too? Headscarves, headbands, hair clips, flowers—so many options! What kind of hairstyle do you like best? What style can you maybe do on yourself? Read this book to find out!
