Summer Reading 2021: 32 Children’s and YA Nonfiction

“There is always light.

Only if we are brave enough to see it.

There is always light.

Only if we are brave enough to be it.”

― Amanda Gorman

What a beautiful moment it was when the whole world watched and listened in awe as Amanda Gorman read those lines at the Presidential Inauguration of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. Viking Books quickly published a book version of the poem, The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country, and, just as quickly, it became a best-seller. Gorman’s upcoming picture book, Change Sings: A Children’s Anthem, is a much-anticipated fall release. Until then, The Hill and other great nonfiction reads make up the final part of our summer reading lists. The books listed include, biographies, memoirs, poetry, etc.

If you missed the other lists, go to Summer Reading 2021: Part 1: 40 Super Selections and Summer Reading 2021: Part 2: 24 Books by Debut Authors for more book ideas. Happy Reading!

1. Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston

2. The ABCs of Black History

3. Tani’s New Home: A Refugee Finds Hope and Kindness in America

4. All Because You Matter

5. Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon

6. The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read

7. A Ride to Remember: A Civil Rights Story

8. Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner

9. She Persisted: Florence Griffith Joyner (from the She Persisted Series)

10. The Story of Nelson Mandela: A Biography Book for New Readers

11. The Story of Kamala Harris: A Biography Book for New Readers

12. The Story of Michelle Obama: A Biography Book for New Readers

13. The Story of Jackie Robinson: A Biography Book for New Readers

14. She Persisted: Claudette Colvin (from the She Persisted Series)

15. The Story of John Lewis: A Biography Book for Young Readers

16. She Persisted : Harriet Tubman (from the She Persisted Series)

17. Stamped (for Kids): Racism, Antiracism, and You

18. Wonder Women of Science: How 12 Geniuses Are Rocking Science, Technology, and the World

19. Have I Ever Told You Black Lives Matter

20. The Compton Cowboys: Young Readers’ Edition: And the Fight to Save Their Horse Ranch

21. When Stars Are Scattered

22. Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream

23. Trailblazers: Beyoncé: Queen of the Spotlight

24. Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Led the Way

25. Robert Smalls (From the Tales of the Talented Tenth Series , Vol. 3)

26. The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country

27. The Beautiful Struggle (Adapted for Young Adults)

28. Walk Toward the Rising Sun: From Child Soldier to Peace Activist

29. This Is What I Know About Art (Pocket Change Collective)

30. All Boys Aren’t Blue: A Memoir-Manifesto

31. Obviously: Stories from My Timeline

32. Courage to Soar: A Body in Motion, A Life in Balance

If you believe BCBA provides a valuable service, please take a few minutes to donate and support our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors.

Amazon/Bookshop/IndieBound Disclosure: BCBA is a participant in the Amazon, Bookshop, and IndieBound Affiliate Programs. The affiliate programs offer participants the opportunity to earn fees by linking to Amazon, Bookshop, and IndieBound websites. Clicking on the book links will direct you away from this site. Thanks for your support!