#African-American #Authors

While African-American authors hold their own in the literary world, Black History Month provides an opportunity to commemorate some of the most well-known African-American authors and their literary accomplishments. While some of their works focus on African-American history and achievements, others simply offer a fresh perspective on familiar themes and storylines. Here is a list of some fantastic literature to share with children during Black History Month.

Kindergarten – 2nd grade

• April Rain Song by Langton Hughes 

• Covers by Nikki Giovanni 

• Laughing Boy by Richard Wright 

• The Flower Garden by Eve Bunting 

• The Hat that Wore Clara B. by Melanie Turner-Denstaedt 

• Ruby and the Booker Boys by Derrick Barnes 

3rd grade – 5th grade

• Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis 

• Hip Hop Speaks to Children by Nikki Giovanni

• Mariah Keeps Cool by Mildred Walter 

• Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters by John Steptoe 

• The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles 

• Ziggy and the Black Dinosaurs Series by Sharon Draper 

6th grade – 8th grade

• The People Could Fly by Virginia Hamilton 

• Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson 

• Fast Sam, Cool Clyde and Stuff by Walter Dean Myers 

• Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry by Mildred D. Taylor 

• Watsons Go to Birmingham by Christopher Paul Curtis 

• Hoops by Walter Dean Myers