Biographies of Black Americans
R-E-S-P-E-C-T : Aretha Franklin, the queen of soul
by Carole Boston Weatherford

"Aretha Franklin was born to sing. The daughter of a pastor and a gospel singer, her musical talent was clear from her earliest days in her father's Detroit church. Aretha sang with a soaring voice that spanned more than three octaves. Her incredible talent and string of hit songs earned her the title "the Queen of Soul." This Queen was a multi-Grammy winner and the first female inductee to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. And there was even more to Aretha than being a singer, songwriter, and pianist: shewas an activist, too. Her song "Respect" was an anthem for people fighting for civil rights and women's rights. With words that sing and art that shines, this vibrant portrait of Aretha Franklin pays her the R-E-S-P-E-C-T this Queen of Soul deserves"
Moses : when Harriet Tubman led her people to freedom
by Carole Boston Weatherford

Follows Harriet Tubman's spiritual journey to freedom as she, leaving her family behind, escaped from slavery and helped many others break free from forced servitude via the Underground Railroad, in this inspirational picture book filled with paintings that depict strength, hope, and healing. Teacher's Guide available.
Little leaders : bold women in black history
by Vashti Harrison

A biographical reference by a debut author and illustrator is based on her popular Instagram posts and shares the stories of 40 African-American women who shaped history. 50,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook.
Little legends : exceptional men in black history
by Vashti Harrison

A companion to the best-selling Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History shares the true stories of history-shaping black men, including civil rights leader John Lewis, filmmaker Oscar Micheaux and tennis champion Arthur Ashe. 75,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Testing the ice : a true story about Jackie Robinson
by Sharon Robinson

After retiring from baseball and moving to Connecticut with his family, the neighborhood kids loved to play with this baseball legend, but when they noticed that he didn't like going near the water, the kids became curious to discover why, in this charming tale based on a true story.
She loved baseball : the Effa Manley story
by Audrey Vernick

Introduces Effa Manley, the first women inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame, from her childhood in Philadelphia to her groundbreaking role as business manager and owner of the Newark Eagles baseball team. 15,000 first printing.
Henry Aaron's dream
by Matt Tavares

The creator of Zachary's Ball offers an inspiring homage to one of the greatest baseball players of all time, from his early days growing up in segregated Mobile, Alabama, when there wasn't a single African-American in the Major Leagues, through his time in the Negro Leagues, to when he began spring training for the Braves and soon made baseball history.
Brave. Black. First. : 50+ African American women who changed the world
by Cheryl Willis Hudson

Published in collaboration with the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, a biographical collection introduces 50 remarkable African American women, from Harriet Tubman and Rosa Parks to Aretha Franklin and Michelle Obama. Simultaneous eBook. Illustrations.
Black Jack the ballad of Jack Johnson : The Ballad of Jack Johnson
by Jr. Smith, Charles R.

A combination of poetic text and vibrant collage artwork pays tribute to boxer Jack Johnson who, in the early 20th century, rose through the ranks to break the color barrier in the sport of boxing. Jr Lib Guild.
Skit-scat raggedy cat : Ella Fitzgerald
by Roxane Orgill

A young person's introduction to the beloved jazz performer is a rollicking portrait that covers Ella Fitzgerald's childhood years while offering insight into the difficult historical and cultural factors that she overcame on her journey to fame.
Hand in hand : ten Black men who changed America
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Presents the stories of 10 African-American men from different eras in American history, organized chronologically to provide a scope from slavery to the modern day. Backmatter includes a Civil Rights timeline, sources and further reading. Illustrated by a two-time Caldecott Honor winner and multiple Coretta Scott King Book Award recipient.
Trombone Shorty
by Troy Andrews

A Grammy-nominated headliner for the New Orleans Jazz Fest describes his childhood in Tremé and how he came to be a bandleader by age six
Let it shine : stories of Black women freedom fighters
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Profiles ten bold women of color including Rosa Parks, Harriet Tubman, and Shirley Chisholm, whose courageous acts against oppression made them leaders in the battle for civil rights.
Odetta, the queen of folk : The Queen of Folk
by Stephen Alcorn

A young person's introduction to the life and career of the legendary folk singer traces her Alabama childhood, early musical achievements and role in breaking artistic ground for other musicians. By the illustrator of the Coretta Scott King Honor-winning Let It Shine.
Martin's big words : the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
by Doreen Rappaport

A picture-book biography brings to life the message of a gifted and influential speaker by using some of his own words to tell the story. By the creators of Freedom River. A Caldecott Honor Book.
Dizzy
by Jonah Winter

Breaking all the rules of jazz, Dizzy Gillespie found a way to make his mark in music using his instincts and talents in order to survive a difficult childhood and become one of the most famous musicians of his time.
Claudette Colvin : twice toward justice
by Phillip M. Hoose

Presents the life of the Alabama teenager who played an integral but little-known role in the Montgomery bus strike of 1955-1956, once by refusing to give up a bus seat, and again, by becoming a plaintiff in the landmark civil rights case against the buscompany
Child of the civil rights movement
by Paula Young Shelton

A daughter of civil rights activist Andrew Young describes her experiences of growing up in the Deep South at the height of the movement, sharing her witness to the efforts of her father, family friend Martin Luther King, Jr. and thousands of others who participated in the historic march from Selma to Montgomery.
Onward : a photobiography of African-American polar explorer Matthew Henson
by Dolores Johnson

Follows the dangerous and difficult journey to the North Pole by Robert E. Peary and Matthew Henson, the son of sharecroppers, who spoke Inuit to the natives, mastered the dog sled, and helped lead their party to their successful destination.
Barack Obama : son of promise, child of hope
by Nikki Grimes

When David asks his mother about the man on television, she tells him the story of Barack Obama, discussing his childhood in Hawaii and Indonesia, his parents' divorce, and his desire to help others
Bad news for outlaws : the remarkable life of Bass Reeves, deputy U.S. marshal
by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Recounts the life story of U.S. Marshal Bass Reeves, a black man born into slavery who became the most successful lawman of the Wild West, bringing thousands of fugitives to justice through fear, cunning and respect despite an atmosphere of prejudice.
The unstoppable Garrett Morgan : inventor, entrepreneur, hero
by Joan DiCicco

"The biography of Garrett A. Morgan, an African American entrepreneur and prolific inventor, whose bravery saved lives at the Cleveland Waterworks Disaster in 1916. Includes timeline and author's sources."
Inspiring Non-Fiction
28 days : moments in Black history that changed the world
by Charles R. Smith

A tribute to the historic contributions of such heroes as Crispus Attucks, Madame C. J. Walker and Barack Obama discusses their roles in overcoming boundaries and shaping life for African-Americans. By the award-winning creators of Black Jack.
Hidden figures : the true story of four black women and the space race
by Margot Lee Shetterly

A lavishly illustrated picture book adaptation of the inspiring story of the four brilliant mathematicians who were pivotal to the success of America's space program, written by one of their associates, describes how they overcame the harsh limitations imposed on black women in the segregated 1960s. 50,000 first printing.
Sit-in : how four friends stood up by sitting down
by Andrea Davis Pinkney

A picture book celebration of the 50th anniversary of the momentous Woolworth's lunch counter sit-in, when four college students staged a peaceful protest that became a defining moment in the struggle for racial equality and the growing Civil Rights Movement.
The undefeated
by Kwame Alexander

"The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover celebrates black American heroism and culture in a picture-book rendering of his performance on ESPN's ""The Undefeated."" Illustrated by the Caldecott Honor-winning artist of Henry's Freedom Box. 75,000 first printing. Simultaneous eBook"
What color is my world? : the lost history of African-American inventors
by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

While twins Ella and Herbie help handyman Mr. Midal work on their new home, he tells them about such inventors as Granville Woods, Dr. Henry T. Sampson and James West, giving them a new view of their heritage as African-Americans.
Heart and soul : the story of America and African Americans
by Kadir Nelson

Presents an introduction to African-American history, from Revolutionary-era slavery up to the election of President Obama
We are the ship : the story of Negro League baseball
by Kadir Nelson

Rich illustrations capture the excitement and thrills of the glory years of Negro League baseball in the early 1900s, profiling its star athletes, highlighting the challenges faced by the players, and the sacrifices made to live out their dreams and play the game they loved.
Fort Mose : and the story of the man who built the first free black settlement in colonial America
by Glennette Tilley Turner

A unique historical picture book recounts the story of Fort Mose, which was founded in St. Augustine, Florida, and was the first free African settlement to legally exist in what later became the United States.
When thunder comes : poems for civil rights leaders
by J. Patrick Lewis

A Children's Poet Laureate presents a sumptuously illustrated collection of poems inspired by the achievements and words of 17 civil rights heroes, including Coretta Scott King, Mohandas Gandhi and Nelson Mandela.