Celebrating Diversity: Black History Month Reads

Hello readers! In light of Black History Month I thought I would share my own recommendations of books to read throughout this month. Like the We Need Diverse Books campaign states, there is still a need for more diversity in books to really represent today’s society. Today’s books featured spotlights the stories of people of color as the main characters or are written by African-American authors. I choose books for these three categories: children, YA, and Adult. I hope you enjoy these picks!

Children

 “Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker” by Patricia Hruby Powell & Christian Robinson

Josephine is a bright, and colorful picture storybook that covers the life of performer and civil rights advocate Josephine Baker. Baker was the first black woman to star in a major motion picture and became a world-famous entertainer. The way her story is told in the book not only makes an enjoyable read, but the artwork is particularly eye-catching also.

“Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” by Mildred D. Taylor

This book was one of my favorite novels growing up! The novel is a sequel to her 1975 novella Song of the Trees. popular novel explores life in southern America as we look through the eyes of Cassie Logan, our narrator, who grows up and experiences life during the Depression.

“Chains” by Laurie Halse Anderson

Anderson is a fantastic writer who not only writes compelling contemporary stories, but historical fiction too. Chains tells the story of Isabel who struggles to win in her fight for freedom from slavery during the Revolutionary War. This novel is such a powerful story.

YA (Young Adult) 

“Monster” by Walter Dean Myers

Monster tells the story of Steve Harmon, a teenage boy in juvenile detention and on trial. It’s cleverly written in journal style entries and shows readers the ups and downs of the choices we chose to make in life. This is a must read.

“Jason & Kyra” by Dana Davidson

Oh the high school drama! Jason is a basketball star and Kyra is a brainy student. The two end up paired together to work on a school project and end up falling in love with each other, but will work? This novel is one of the lighter stories featured on this list, but the drama/romance factor makes it a page turner.

Adult

“Gorilla, My Love” by Toni Cade Bambara

This novel is a collection of Bambara’s fifteen short stories set in New York and rural South Carolina. The collection is of full of various protagonists that bring their own color to each and every story. The stories will make you smile, laugh, and maybe even cry.

“Assumption” by Percival Everett

For fans of mystery and suspense crime stories, this is a great read. Assumption is the tale of Ogden Walker, deputy sheriff of a small New Mexico town. The book is sectioned in three parts, each section is a new case that Ogden has to solve. This book is a thriller.

“Nat Turner” by Kyle Baker

I initially read this for my Ethnic literature class and I really enjoyed it! I thought it was really unique take on the story of this historical figure. It is historical fiction fiction though, so everything is not factual. Even though the artwork is a bit gory (just a heads up!) this graphic novel is awesome!

And those are my Black History Month reading recommendations! What books do you recommend or what are your favorites? Comment below! 🙂

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