BaCE recommended children's books

Coretta Scott King Book Award Winners:

The Undefeated (2019) age 6+
By Kwame Alexander

Poetic tribute to African American heroes and struggles.

New Kid (2019) age 8+
By Jerry Craft

Funny, heartfelt middle school tale explores race, class.

Sulwe (2019) age 4+
By Lupita Nyong'o

Girl learns to embrace her dark skin in magical tale.

What Is Given from the Heart (2019) age 4+
By Patricia C. McKissack

Lovely art, heartwarming story about the joy of giving.

Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky: Tristan Strong, Book 1 (2019) age 8+
By Kwame Mbalia

Teen connects with African folklore in exciting fantasy.

Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks (2019) age 10+
By Jason Reynolds

Moving, interwoven stories of Black middle schoolers.

Genesis Begins Again (2019) age 11+
By Alicia D. Williams

Teen learns to love herself in uplifting tale of misfits.

The Stars and the Blackness Between Them (2019) age 14+
By Junauda Petrus

Teen girls fall in love, face death in breathtaking tale.

The Stuff of Stars (2018) age 4+
By Marion Dane Bauer

Poetic book introduces big cosmic concepts to little humans.

Finding Langston (2018) age 8+
By Lesa Cline-Ransome

In lovely, moving story, boy who lost mom discovers poetry.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race (2018) age 4+
By Margot Lee Shetterly, Winifred Conkling

Picture book intro to important, inspirational story.

The Parker Inheritance (2018) age 8+
By Varian Johnson

Kids investigate past racist incident in thrilling mystery.

The Season of Styx Malone (2018) age 8+
By Kekla Magoon

Heartwarming story of friendship and adventure.

Monday's Not Coming (2018) age 14+
By Tiffany D. Jackson

Gripping thriller about a girl disappearing without a trace.

Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (2018) age 5+
By Derrick Barnes

Joyful, foot-tapping celebration of fresh haircut, culture.

The Hate U Give (2017) age 13+
By Angie Thomas

Powerful story of police shooting of unarmed Black teen.

Long Way Down (2017) age 12+
By Jason Reynolds

Gripping, unnerving story of teen boy contemplating revenge.

Piecing Me Together (2017) age 13+
By Renée Watson

Powerful, insightful tale of self-awareness, power of art.

March: Book Three (2016) age 12+
By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin

Uplifting finale to terrific series reveals tragic violence.

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan (2016) age 6+
By Ashley Bryan

Document inspires vivid, moving portraits of slaves' lives.

As Brave As You (2016) age 10+
By Jason Reynolds

Poignant summer adventure brims with family love and hope.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat (2017) age 6+
By Javaka Steptoe

Exuberant bio celebrates artist who had success when young.

Freedom in Congo Square (2017) age 5+
By Carole Boston Weatherford

Slaves' lives, jazz roots shown in stunning nonfiction book.

Last Stop on Market Street (2015) age 3+
By Matt de la Peña

Tender story of Nana showing grandson city beauty via bus.

Trombone Shorty (2016) age 4+
By Troy Andrews

Fun, upbeat story of a boy, a trombone, and jazz.

The Book Itch: Freedom, Truth, and Harlem's Greatest Bookstore (2016) age 7+
By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Lively tale of store that aided civil rights struggle.

Gone Crazy in Alabama (2015) age 8+
By Rita Williams-Garcia

Harrowing tale of Gaither girls' summer in the South.

Hoodoo (2016) age 10+
By Ronald L. Smith

Creepy chills galore in Southern supernatural thriller.

Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement (2016) age 9+
By Carole Boston Weatherford

Frank, poetic picture book bio has dazzling art.

The Boy in the Black Suit (2016) age 12+
By Jason Reynolds

Soul-gripping story of teen's grief and hope.

All American Boys (2015) age 12+
By Jason Reynolds, Brendan Kiely

Haunting tale of two boys' lives changed by police assault.

Firebird (2014) age 5+
By Misty Copeland

Soaring, rhythmic story for dancers with big dreams.

My People (2010) age 5+
By Langston Hughes

Photos bring sparkling tone to simple poem of celebration.

Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave (2011) age 6+
By Laban Carrick Hill

Amazing award-winning historical story told in free verse.

I Have a Dream (2013) age 6+
By Kadir Nelson

Stunning art amplifies meaning of King's words for kids.

The Negro Speaks of Rivers (2010) age 6+
By Langston Hughes

Words and watercolors sing in a voice as deep as the river.

Nelson Mandela (2013) age 6+
By Kadir Nelson

Stellar art portrays key aspects of Mandela's life for kids.

When the Beat Was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop (2013) age 6+
By Laban Carrick Hill

Insightful, kid-friendly intro to the history of hip-hop.

Bad News for Outlaws: The Remarkable Life of Bass Reeves (2010) age 9+
By Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

Lively profile of a brave man living in a dangerous time.

The Crossover (2014) age 9+
By Kwame Alexander

Soaring, poignant, novel in verse hits all the right spots.

Elijah of Buxton (2007) age 9+
By Christopher Paul Curtis

Funny, powerful, masterful tale of escaped slaves.

Hand in Hand: Ten Black Men Who Changed America (2013) age 9+
By Andrea Davis Pinkney

Captivating storytelling makes these heroes relatable.

Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans (2011) age 9+
By Kadir Nelson

Beautifully illustrated account of African-American history.

P.S. Be Eleven (2013) age 9+
By Rita Williams-Garcia

Tween coming-of-age set amid shifting family, '60s dynamics.

We Are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball (2009) age 9+
By Kadir Nelson

Amazing paintings + compelling history = a grand slam.

Brown Girl Dreaming (2014) age 10+
By Jacqueline Woodson

Captivating poems depict coming-of-age in tumultuous 1960s.

How It Went Down (2015) age 14+
By Kekla Magoon

Haunting look at killing of unarmed African American teen.

Ninth Ward (2011) age 10+
By Jewell Parker Rhodes

Gripping story of a girl's bravery during Hurricane Katrina.

One Crazy Summer (2010) age 11+
By Rita Williams-Garcia

A gem, with strong girl characters, '60s black history.

How I Discovered Poetry (2015) age 12+
By Marilyn Nelson

Poet's moving memoir in free verse charts '50s childhood.

March: Book One (2013) age 12+
By John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, Nate Powell

Powerful graphic novel captures spirit of desegregation.

Darius & Twig (2013) age 13+
By Walter Dean Myers

Quiet, sometimes poetic story of teens' scholarship quest.

Resources for diverse books for children: