Children in grades K-5 can gain confidence and joy in seeing themselves and those around them represented in books. The following stories present African American children as leading characters. Caregivers and educators can encourage reading books with racially diverse characters by offering these and other titles on class reading lists, in a shared reading space, and through conversations.
Piano-prodigy Isabella, eleven, whose black father and white mother struggle to share custody, never feels whole, especially as racial tensions affect her school, her parents both become engaged, and she and her stepbrother are stopped by police. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Using the travelers’ green book and her hidden past as a road map, a grandmother takes her grandson on a cross country journey. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Celebrates the magnificent feeling that comes from walking out of a barber shop with newly-cut hair. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla, as video on Hoopla or as video on with read along on Hoopla.
Africa asks her friends to teach her to double-dutch so she can enter a double-dutch competition, but none of her friends know how. You can also check out this title as an eBook on OverDrive/Libby.
Garvey’s father has always wanted Garvey to be athletic, but Garvey is interested in astronomy, science fiction, reading–anything but sports. Feeling like a failure, he comforts himself with food. Garvey is kind, funny, smart, a loyal friend, and he is also overweight, teased by bullies, and lonely. When his only friend encourages him to join the school chorus, Garvey’s life changes. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Illustrations and easy-to-read text pay homage to the strength, character and worth of an African American child. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
A young basketball player receives inspiration from a surprising place and joins the competition ready to try his best.
The death of his father weighs heavily on Isaiah, but he gets support from friends and finds comfort in reading his father’s journal. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Eight-year-old J.D. turns a tragic home haircut into a thriving barber business in this hilarious new illustrated chapter book series.
Eleven-year-old Georgie is still adjusting to leaving Atlanta for a small town, having a stepfather, and being unable to get close to her stepsister when her six-year-old sister, Peaches, suddenly becomes very ill.
Joyful young narrators celebrate feeling at home in one’s own skin. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby, as eAudio on Hoopla, as video on Hoopla or as video with read along on Hoopla.
Instead of sending Jordan to the arts school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics. Jordan turns out to be one of the few kids of color in his entire grade and struggles to find balance between his home life in Washington Heights and his new upscale academy. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla, as eAudio on Hoopla, as eBook on Libby or as eAudio on Libby.
Faizah relates how she feels on the first day her sister, sixth-grader Asiya, wears a hijab to school. You can also check out this title as eBook on OverDrive/Libby or as eAudio on OverDrive/Libby.
Inspired by the rich tradition of African American reunions, a multigenerational story follows the experiences of young Ruby, who helps loved ones prepare the foods they are bringing while trying to think of a signature dish of her own.
An African-American middle schooler who has recently lost both his parents sees a ghost wearing old-fashioned clothing in the basement of the New York Public Library. You can also check out this title as eBook on Hoopla.