AFRICANAMERICAN “OWNVOICES” RECOMMENDEDREADS
P COPE, M
BUNHEADS
Misty
Copeland
THE OLD TRUCK P PUMP, J
Misty is so captivated by the tale and its heroine, Swanilda, she decides to audition for the role, her very first time dancing! Though nervous, she relies on her fellow bunheads to do her best!
POR ABRA, S
WORDS
Stacey Abrams STACY’S EXTRAORDINARY
When she is chosen to compete in the local spelling bee, Stacey learns that, win or lose, her words are powerful, and sometimes perseverance is the most important word of all.
Jarrett Pumphrey
On a small family farm, an old truck falls into disrepair and lies nearly forgotten, except by the family's daughter. The truck is been part of her daydreams as she grows up and develops strength and independence.
THE NIGHT BEFORE FREEDOM: A JUNETEENTH STORY POR ARMA, G
Glenda Armand
This moving picture book tells the story of Juneteenth with all the care and reverence such a holiday deserves. The rhyming text and stunning illustrations will teach children about this historic day.
PARKER GROWS A GARDEN
Parker Curry
Parker grows a backyard garden with her two grandmothers, Nana and Mom Mom.
J BURC, C
FINCH HOUSE
Ciera Burch
Eleven-year-old Micah has no interest in moving out of her grandfather's house. She loves living with Poppop and their shared hobby of driving around rich neighborhoods to find treasures in others' trash. To avoid packing, Micah goes for a bike ride and ends up at Finch House, the decrepit Victorian that Poppop says is Off Limits. Except when she gets there, it's all fixed up and there's a boy named Theo in the front yard.
Chad & Dad Richardson FAMILY REUNION P RICH, C
A boy is reluctant to go to his family reunion, which he's sure will be boring. Vivid, poetic language and rich illustrations bring readers along for the boy's emotional journey, as he ultimately finds himself enjoying the large and joyous gathering in spite of himself.
A little girl struggling to find her place within her family is shown how special she is through a set of nesting dolls.
E ROE, M
I AM BORN TO BE AWESOME
Mechal Renee Roe
Illustrations and rhyming text reveal all of the things boys love, including music, nature, sports, and school.
YF WINS, S
Sherri Winston CATASTROPHE
Sheila P. Moses WE WERE THE FIRE: BIRMINGHAM 1963 J MOSE, S
Wednesday and her service dog, Woof, are the best detectives in the whole world--or at least their neighborhood. But can they find Mrs. Winters's missing cat before her big trip?
OPERATION SISTERHOOD J RHUD, O
Olugbemisola Rhuday-Perkonich
Bo and her mom always had their own rhythm But ever since they moved to Harlem, Bo’s world has fallen out of sync She and Mum are now living with Mum’s boyfriend Bill, his daughter Sunday, the twins, Lili and Lee, the twins' parents…along with a dog, two cats, a bearded dragon, a turtle, and chickens.
The powerful story of an eleven-year-old Black boy determined to stand up for his rights, who's pulled into the action of the 1963 civil rights demonstrations in Birmingham, Alabama.
Eleven-year-old June Jackson has always been good at making the people around her happy, even if that means avoiding telling them what you really think, but as she starts middle school her fairy godmother puts a spell on her that forces her to speak only the truth--even to her friends and family.
OS J 973. 0496 HUDS, W
SHOES, GREAT STRIDES
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson SMALL
A powerful true story about three Black girls who courageously integrated a New Orleans school on November 14, 1960, told by award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson.
INVINCIBLE: FATHERS AND MOTHERS OF BLACK AMERICA
Wade Hudson
In a poetic narrative of the origins of Black America, acclaimed Black author and publisher Wade Hudson teaches us about the little-known men and women who had a profound effect on the history of the nation.