Black History Month Reads for All Ages

 

Martin & Mahalia

 

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous “I Have a Dream” speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and his strong voice and powerful message were joined and lifted in song by world-renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. This beautiful picture book tells each of their stories side-by-side through Andrea Davis Pinkney’s poetic prose and Brian Pinkney’s evocative illustration. It’s a truly special view of this historic event.

 

 

 

Fifty Cents and a Dream 

 

Booker T. Washington was born into slavery. Jabari Asim’s extraordinary book, gorgeously illustrated by award-winning artist Bryan Collier follows Booker on his journey from emancipation to the Hampton Institute where he arrives with fifty cents in his pocket and a dream in his heart. The rhythmic storytelling offers an exciting way to engage young readers in the story of this great man.

 

 

 

 

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

 

This instant New York Times bestseller and NAACP Image Award winner has taken off for a reason! Vashti Harrison’s winning illustrations and illuminating text about black women in history, both iconic and lesser known, are truly compelling for readers of any age. The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something big and amazing, inspiring generations to come.

 

 

 

 

Ninth Ward 

 

There’s no one better than renowned author Jewell Parker Rhodes to tell this story of our recent past. Set in New Orleans’ Ninth Ward as Hurricane Katrina approaches, this Coretta Scott King Honor Book tells the story of 12-year-old Lanesha and her caretaker Mama Ya-Ya. Rhodes’ gentle approach to this American tragedy offers a new perspective that will enthrall young readers.

 

Celeste’s Harlem Renaissance

 

Was there a more exciting time in American history than Harlem in the 1920’s? Celeste moves from North Carolina to Harlem with her fabulous Aunt Valentina, a famous actress starring on Broadway. It’s not a typical view of this particular time in history, but it’s one that shows middle grade readers the grit and glamour that made the Harlem Renaissance such a spectacular era.

 

 

 

 

Harlem Stomp! 

 

For young adult readers looking to learn more about the Harlem Renaissance, there’s no better choice than Harlem Stomp! An illustrated history that combines portraits of prominent figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston with explorations of the politics of the era. Full of photographs and archival documents, this book truly brings history to life.

 

 

 

 

Dreamland Burning

The Tulsa Race Riot is one of the lesser-known dark moments in American history. Weaving together the stories of Will, a 17-year-old in Tulsa 1921 and Rowan, a 17-year-old in present-day Tulsa, this powerful book brings history to life and allows readers to question just how far we’ve come in nearly 100 years.

 

 

 

 

47 

 

A stunning novel that deftly combines speculative and historical fiction by bestselling author Walter Mosley. 47 is a young slave boy living under the watchful eye of a brutal slave master. His life seems doomed until he meets a mysterious runaway slave, Tall John. Reminiscent of The Underground Railroad, Mosley gives a harrowing glimpse of slavery and a boy who rises out of it.

 

 

THE MAP TO EVERYWHERE EVENT KIT

Adventure awaits on the waters of the Pirate Stream! The Map to Everywhere series is an epic action-packed journey. The series comes to a mind-blowing conclusion with IRON TIDE RISING. Don’t miss a minute of these fantastic adventures and download the official activity kit for puzzles, games, and more!

 

Because YouTube isn’t the only place to get your cat fix!

 

Curl up with one of these claw-some reads, each costarring someone who is the cat’s pajamas.

 

 

 

 

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Aslan is not your typical housecat. The “Great Lion” is regal, mysterious, authoritative, and anything but tame. The King of Narnia protects and guides the Pevensie children—and who wouldn’t want a magical talking Lion on their side?

 

Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow by Jessica Townsend

The magic of Nevermoor is wondrous (or should we say Wundrous?), and it will have you too longing for a Magnificat! What *is* a Magnificat? Imagine a cat, and then make that cat giant and able to talk and utterly magnificent, and you’re starting to get the idea. Fenestra the Magnifcat runs the Hotel Deucalion, and she is as unfiltered and snarky as we know all cats to be.

 

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by J.K. Rowling

In the wizarding world there is no shortage of feline friends…or friends that have half-turned themselves into felines. But we’ll refrain from any spoilers! For a cat that “was either a very big cat or quite a small tiger,” refer to Hermione’s cat, Crookshanks. While Ron’s rat, Scabbers, may not be a big fan of the half-kneazle, he’s a faithful, furry companion who might get a little rambunctious but helps sniff out deception and protect Hermione and her friends.

 

The Wizards of Once by Cressida Cowell

From the start of this story Kingcat, a Snowcat, is described as “far too regal for his cheeky master Xar.” But isn’t that all cats? So many of them walk with a confidence built to match their curiosity. Just because this giant arctic lynx of a creature is quite a bit more regal than one of the main characters, doesn’t make him any less of a purrfect companion.

 

 The Cricket in Times Square by George Selden

When Chester the cricket finds himself in New York City, Harry the Cat, along with Tucker the Mouse, is there to show him around. Harry knows the city like the back of his paw—plus he’s even friends with a mouse! That’s one calm cat! Harry will be there for you, whether it’s finding the best leftovers this side of the Hudson, or encouraging Chester to follow his heart.

 

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Mogget is a small white cat…usually. There is way more to this mysterious being than meets the (cat)eye, but it makes him all the more intriguing of a character.

 

 

 

The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Fat Louie is a feline friend fit for a queen…or at least a princess. He’s been by Mia’s side since before her royal makeover, although there is a distinct possibility he has always assumed he himself was quite regal.

 

A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

An important part of main character Mia’s life, Mango the cat shows that sometimes animal friends help us cope with difficult situations in life, but they can also teach us some of life’s biggest—and toughest—lessons.

 

 

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison

The title character of this laugh-out-loud young adult series is “half domestic tabby, half Scottish wildcat.” And there’s a possibility he’s after the dog next door.