Before, during, and after February’s upcoming celebration of Black History Month, young readers can check out these six recent picture-book biographies highlighting important figures in American history. See also our five questions interview with debut illustrator Dare Coulter about An American Story, written by Kwame Alexander. Little Rosetta and the...
We’re continuing to celebrate Black History Month on hbook.com and at #HBBlackHistoryMonth on Twitter and Facebook, with engaging articles, fascinating interviews, informative reviews, and more, every day in February (including this brand-new picture-book biographies booklist). Coming in like a lion is March, which is Women’s History Month, and this issue...
In commemoration of Black History Month, we'll be featuring articles, speeches, interviews, and reviews from The Horn Book's past year that are by and/or about African American authors, illustrators, and luminaries in the field — one a weekday through the month of February. Last week's ALA Youth Media Awards announcement...
Through poetry that is captivating, evocative, and informative, Marilyn Nelson introduces readers to the life, work, and legacy of a prominent Harlem Renaissance sculptor in Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor’s Life (12 years and up, Ottaviano/Little, Brown). See also our Black History Month and Black History Month 2022 coverage....
The warmth, kindness, comfort — and silliness — of family shine through in these picture books starring Black protagonists and their loved ones, perfect for Valentine’s Day reading. See also our Black History Month and Black History Month 2022 coverage. The Electric Slide and Kai by Kelly J. Baptist; illus. by...
The young Black protagonists of these enjoyable and generally lighthearted middle-grade and middle-school novels step up when faced with challenges — and come into their own. See also our Black History Month and Black History Month 2022 coverage. The Swag Is in the Socks by Kelly J. Baptist Intermediate, Middle School Crown ...
These true stories and insights from history, including biographies of notable figures (two in graphic-novel form!), bring immediacy for YA readers about significant lives of and times for Black people in America. See also Five Questions for Marilyn Nelson about Augusta Savage: The Shape of a Sculptor's Life, Wade Hudson...
In Above the Rim: How Elgin Baylor Changed Basketball (Abrams, 6–10 years), written by Jen Bryant, artist Frank Morrison (the 2021 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award winner for R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul, written by Carole Boston Weatherford) depicts the life of the NBA great and civil rights...
Welcome to Black History Month 2021! As several of the books reviewed here remind us, you can’t have American history without it. Please go see all of our BHM coverage on the website, where the indefatigable Cindy and Elissa are posting related reviews, interviews, articles, and essays every day throughout...
Read S. R. Toliver’s 2019 Horn Book article on why representation matters in sci-fi/fantasy, then dip into the following fantastical middle-grade novels by Black authors and starring Black protagonists. See also our Black History Month 2021 coverage. Amari and the Night Brothers by B. B. Alston Intermediate, Middle School Balzer...