In preparation for Black History Month (BHM), the second part of our series feature book selections intended for middle grade readers. Nonfiction titles published for the target audience of 8-12 year-olds contain broader vocabulary and more text, delving deeper into the subject—even though they may still fall into the picture book category. Sometimes the age and book type distinctions can be a bit confusing. But, thankfully, many books have crossover qualities, appealing to readers younger or older than the core group. The first of the 35 books listed is a biography of Carter G. Woodson, “The Father of Black History.” Part 1 has information about Carter G. Woodson. For additional titles, see our M. L. King post and Tonya Bolden author spotlight. History books for young adult readers will conclude our BHM series.
Carter G. Woodson: The Man Who Put "Black" in American History – James Haskins & Kathleen Benson
Nzingha: Warrior Queen of Matamba, Angola, Africa, 1595 – Patricia C. McKissack
Many Thousand Gone – Virginia Hamilton
Let it Shine! Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters - Andrea Davis Pinkney
Fort Mose: And the Story of the Man Who Built the First Free Black Settlement in Colonial America – Glennette Tilly Turner
What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African-American Inventors - Kareem Abdul Jabbar
Reflections of a Black Cowboy: Pioneers - Robert H. Miller
Ready from Within: Septima Clark & the Civil Rights Movement, A First Person Narrative - Septima Poinsette Clark
Bishop Daniel A. Payne: Great Black Leader – Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop
Rebels Against Slavery: American Slave Revolts – Patricia & Fredrick McKissack
Susie King Taylor: Destined to Be Free – Denise Jordan
A Drawing in the Sand: A Story of African American Art – Jerry Butler
Undying Glory: The Story of the Massachusetts 54th Regiment – Clinton Cox
Black Stars: African American Women Scientists and Inventors – Otha Richardson Sullivan
A Strong Right Arm: The Story of Mamie "Peanut" Johnson –Michelle Y. Green
Flying Free: America’s First Black Aviators – Philip S. Hart
How They Got Over: African Americans and the Call of the Sea – Eloise Greenfield
Book of Black Heroes from A to Z: An Introduction to Important Black Achievers for Young Readers – Wade Hudson
Powerful Words: More Than 200 Years of Extraordinary Writings by African American – Wade Hudson
My Life: Queen of the Court – Serena Williams w/Daniel Paisner
Jazz ABZ: An A to Z Collection of Jazz Portraits – Wynton Marsalis
Black Stars in Orbit: NASA's African American Astronauts – Khephra Burns
Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement – Carole Boston Weatherford
The Harlem Hellfighters: When Pride Met Courage – Walter Dean Myers
We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball – Kadir Nelson
Harriet Tubman: Conductor on the Underground Railroad – Ann Petry
Jump at de Sun: The Story of Zora Neale Hurston – A. P. Porter
Promises to Keep: How Jackie Robinson Changed America – Sharon Robinson
Witnesses to Freedom: Young People Who Fought for Civil Rights – Belinda Rochelle
Toni Morrison: Magic of Words –Jim Haskins
Onward: A Photobiography of African-American Polar Explorer Matthew Henson – Delores Johnson
Leontyne Price – Joseph D. McNair
Through My Eyes – Ruby Bridges
Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America – Andrea Davis Pinkney
Discovering Black America: From the Age of Exploration to the Twenty-First Century – Linda Tarrant-Reid
Grace, Gold, and Glory My Leap of Faith - Gabrielle Douglas w/Michelle Burford
