Curated by the South Orange Public Library

Discover a powerful, age-inclusive collection of stories created to inspire, educate, and celebrate Black history, culture, and excellence. In honor of the national theme A Century of Black History Commemorations, the South Orange Public Library presents weekly Black History Month booklists thoughtfully curated by SOPL librarians.

Each list is organized by a weekly subtheme and features carefully selected titles for every age group — from babies through high school students. These collections are designed to grow with your child, deepen understanding, and spark meaningful conversations at every stage of learning.

All titles are available through the South Orange Public Library or the BCCLS system, making access easy for every family.

Browse by Age Group

Babies, Toddlers, Pre-K, Kindergarten | Early Elementary and Middle Grade | Middle through High School

Weekly Theme

Week 3 – Inspired by Our History
A celebration of heritage, traditions, and intergenerational wisdom. These selections honor family history, cultural pride, and the deep roots that connect past, present, and future generations.

Babies, Toddlers, Pre-K, Kindergarten

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
By Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson, Illustrated by Nikkolas Smith
The 1619 Project’s lyrical picture book in verse chronicles the consequences of slavery and the history of Black resistance in the United States

Black Diamond Kings
By Charles R. Smith, Illustrated by Adrian Brandon
An exuberant collection of poems honoring a dozen outstanding baseball stars from the Negro leagues.

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Finding Rebecca: the forgotten life of Dr. Rebecca Lee Crumpler: America's First Black Female Doctor 
By Shani Mahiri King, Illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
Examines the life, hardships, and many accomplishments of Dr. Crumpler – facts that were almost lost in history. 

George Washington Carver Loved Plants
By Kate Coombs, Illustrated by Seth Lucas
As an agricultural scientist, inventor, and environmentalist, Carver helped farmers and communities take care of the earth, increase soil nutrients, utilize peanuts, and develop new ways to use crops. 

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 
By Doreen Rappaport, Illustrated by Bryan Collier
Dr. Martin Luther King’s biography told to children using his own words. 

Tar Beach
By Faith Ringgold
This allegorical tale sparkles with symbolic and historical references central to African-American culture.

To the Top of the World: Barbara Hillary, the first Black woman to reach the North and South Poles
By Deborah Blumenthal, Illustrated by Anastasia Magloire Williams
Go exploring with Barbara Hillary, the first Black woman to set foot on both the North and South Poles in this thrilling and inspiring picture book biography about perseverance, imagination, and following your dreams. 

When Black Girls Dream Big
By Tanisia Moore, Illustrated by Robert Paul
An African American girl finds inspiration and affirmation in the lives of historic women like Sojourner Truth, Michelle Obama, Billie Holiday and Zora Neale Hurston.

Early Elementary - Middle Grade

28 Days: Moments in the Black History that Changed the World
By Charles R. Smith Jr. and Illustrated by Shane W. Evans
This is a completely unique look at the importance and influence of African Americans on the history of this country.

Barracoon:Adapted for Young Readers
By Zora Neale Hurston, Adapted by Ibram X. Kendi, Illustrated by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson
The remarkable, true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic human trade.

Black Heroes of Today
By Nalani Brooks
From astronauts currently orbiting Earth to CEOs who launched empires at age four , these are the modern role models they can actually watch, follow, and emulate today.

Bud, Not Buddy
By Christopher Paul Curtis
The story of ten-year-old Bud, an orphan during the Great Depression. After running away from his foster home, Bud sets out to search for the man he thinks is his long lost father.

Finish the Fight! The Brave and Revolutionary Women Who Fought for the Right to Vote
By Veronica Chambers and the Staff of The New York Times
Reveals untold stories of diverse heroines who fought for the 19th Amendment—celebrate the historic win for women’s rights and voting rights that changed the fabric of America

Frederick Douglass: The Lion Who Wrote History
By Walter Dean Myers
Born into slavery, Douglass became an abolitionist leader, a powerful orator, and an influential writer who fought for racial justice and political reform. 

The Six Triple Eight: a true story of the Black woman battalion of World War II 
By Tonay Abari, Illustrated by Lance Evans 
Formed of Black women who had advocated fiercely for their right to enlist in the U.S. military, the “Six Triple Eight” battalion had one special task: sort and send the mail. It wasn’t easy, but the Six Triple Eight got to work!

The Undefeated 
By Kwame Alexander, Illustrated by Kadir Nelson
This beautiful poem provides a framework for black history month by highlighting black leaders – the known and unknown – through time.

Middle - High School

Angel of Greenwood 
By Randi Park
Historical fiction which takes place during the Greenwood Massacre of 1921, in an area of Tulsa, OK, known as the "Black Wall Street."

Black History of Every Day of the Year
By David Olusoga
A 366-day guide to important figures, events, and media from Black history.

Black History is Your History 
By Taylor Cassidy
A unique celebration of well-known figures and unsung heroes, famous cultural moments and hidden histories, from ancient times to today.

The Davenports
By Kristal Marquis
A glimpse into a period of African American history that is often overlooked.

The Movement: 1957
By Susan Taylor
1957 was a pivot year for key events, which are highlighted in this volume of the Exploring Civil Rights series. 

Split the Sky
By Marie Arnold
In this haunting story about family, legacy, and sacrifice, a young Black girl living in a Texas sundown town must find the courage to stand up for what’s right even when it means facing impossible choices.

Voting Rights
By Kevin Winn and Kelisa Wing
Explores the regulations Black people and people of color have endured in pursuit of their right to vote. 

We are the Scribes
By Randi Pink
A teenage activist is visited by the ghost of Harriet Jacobs, an enslaved woman. The narrative blends the present with the past, exploring two extraordinary characters who channel their hopelessness and find their voices to make history.