Black History Books from Our Library
In the ELA and Music classrooms we are so excited for Black History Month! There’s always time for a good story – or a few good stories. Some of our favorite ways to expose students to beautiful and unique voices is through picture books. As parents of a toddler, these are our favorites at home, too! Celebrate Black History Month with these amazing books!
Teacher Tips:
- No matter the subject area, seek out a picture book or two this month
- Poll the audience: Do your students have favorites they want to share?
- Start with authors you know and grow your personal list of favorites
When looking for books to incorporate for Black History Month, these are some things we look for:
- A well-known, exceptional author and/or illustrator
- Vibrant and engaging illustrations
- Award-winners (Coretta Scott King, Pura Belpré, Caldecott, etc.)
- Books that feature strong protagonists
While not every book on this list meets checks every box, here are some of our favorites:
CHILDREN’S LITERATURE
- Acoustic Rooster and His Barnyard Band by Kwame Alexander
- When Marian Sang by Pam Muñoz Ryan
- When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by Laban Carrick Hill
- An Earth Song by Langston Hughes (Petite Poems book)
- Circle Unbroken by Margot Theis Raven
- The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats
- Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Big by Vashti Harrison
- The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson
MIDDLE GRADES LITERATURE
- Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson
- The Crossover by Kwame Alexander
- Garvey’s Choice by Nikki Grimes
These are some of our favorites, and we can’t wait to incorporate them this year into our lessons. What are some of your favorite books to include for Black History Month and all year long? Tag us on Instagram @theclassroomhuntresources!
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