Books About African American History · 60 titles considered

The Best African American History Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about african american history? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About African American History

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2020

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

Uncover the roots of racism and the path to an antiracist future.

294 pages· 34,333 words· Est. 3 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 55,221 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Explore the journey of race in America with Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi. This gripping narrative reveals how racist ideas have shaped society and offers hope for an antiracist future. Discover how these ideas began, spread, and can be dismantled. Can we change the narrative and build a better tomorrow?
Rosa Parks
Sale price
$1498
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2017

Rosa Parks

A brave act on a bus ignites a movement for equality.

32 pages· 567 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.4/5 Goodreads · 1,216 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Rosa Parks, raised in segregated Alabama, learns to stand up for her rights. In 1955, her refusal to surrender her bus seat sparks the Montgomery Bus Boycott, challenging racial injustice. This pivotal moment in history leads to the end of segregation on public transport. Discover how one woman's courage became a catalyst for change, inspiring generations to fight for equality. With engaging illustrations and insightful facts, this story celebrates Rosa's enduring legacy and the power of dreams to transform the world.
Juneteenth for Mazie
Sale price
$1498
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2015

Juneteenth for Mazie

A young girl prepares to honor the day her ancestors gained freedom.

32 pages· 454 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 987 ratings
$15.95Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Mazie eagerly anticipates Juneteenth, a day marking her ancestors' liberation from slavery. As she prepares to celebrate, she reflects on their struggles and triumphs. Will this day of remembrance inspire her own journey toward understanding freedom's true meaning?
A Ride to Remember
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 6–9 · 2020

A Ride to Remember

A carousel ride becomes a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights movement.

40 pages· 1,745 words· Est. 14 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 413 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1963, young Sharon Langley made history as the first African American child to ride a desegregated carousel at Gwynn Oak Amusement Park. On the same day as Martin Luther King Jr.'s iconic March on Washington, her ride symbolized a community's triumph over segregation. As protests and unity opened the park to all, Sharon's experience became a beacon of hope and change. Discover how one ride echoed the dreams of a nation striving for equality. What possibilities did this moment unlock for future generations?
Overground Railroad
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

Overground Railroad

A young girl journeys north, seeking freedom and new beginnings.

48 pages· 901 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud
5.5/7 Bookroo·4.3/5 Goodreads · 966 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Ruth Ellen boards the Silver Meteor train, leaving behind the South's cotton fields for a new life up North. As she travels, she reflects on her journey through poems and the words of Frederick Douglass. Each stop reveals new landscapes and the promise of freedom, culminating in the bustling lights of New York. Will the North fulfill her family's dreams of opportunity and change? Experience a child's perspective on the Great Migration, where every mile traveled is a step toward hope and possibility.
Ruth and the Green Book
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 7–11 · 2010

Ruth and the Green Book

A family navigates a perilous journey with a guide to safe havens during a time of racial injustice.

32 pages· 1,494 words· Est. 12 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 2,521 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Ruth embarks on a road trip with her family in the 1950s, only to face the harsh realities of racial discrimination. As they travel from Chicago to Alabama, they encounter hostility and closed doors. But hope arrives in the form of The Green Book, a guide listing safe places for Black travelers. With this lifeline and the kindness of strangers, Ruth's family strives to reach their destination. Will they find safety and acceptance on their journey? Discover the power of resilience and community in a world divided by prejudice.
Steamboat School
Sale price
$1797
Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2016

Steamboat School

By Deborah Hopkinson, Ron Husband (Illustrator)

A boy and his teacher defy a law banning Black education by creating a floating school.

40 pages· 1,155 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud
4.3 Goodreads · 709 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1847 Missouri, young James finds school dull until Reverend Meachum's inspiring lessons light a spark. When a law shuts down their school, Meachum's determination leads to a daring solution—a floating school on the Mississippi River. Can they outsmart the oppressive law and continue their education? This true story of resilience and ingenuity challenges discrimination and celebrates the power of learning.
Who Was Coretta Scott King?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2017

Who Was Coretta Scott King?

A biography of Coretta Scott King, from her childhood to her role in the civil rights movement and beyond

112 pages· 7,529 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 372 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Coretta Scott King, a valedictorian from Alabama, becomes a pivotal figure in the Civil Rights Movement. After her husband's assassination, she steps into leadership, championing racial equality, women's rights, and LGBT rights. Her journey from a politically active student to a global advocate raises questions about resilience and legacy. How does one woman continue a movement and inspire change across continents?
Who Was Rosa Parks?
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2010

Who Was Rosa Parks?

A biography of Rosa Parks, a civil rights activist who refused to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama bus in 1955, sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott and becoming a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement

112 pages· 8,123 words· Est. 1 hour read
4.3 Goodreads · 2,204 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In 1955 Montgomery, Rosa Parks' refusal to surrender her bus seat sparks a nationwide civil rights movement. Her courageous stand challenges racial injustice and earns her the title 'Mother of the Civil Rights Movement.' Discover how one woman's bravery changed history.
Ellington Was Not a Street
Sale price
$1899
Picture Book · Ages 5–11 · 2004

Ellington Was Not a Street

By Ntozake Shange, Kadir Nelson (Illustrator)

Discover a community of Black innovators who defied adversity and sparked a movement that changed the world.

40 pages· 124 words· Est. 1 min read-aloud
4.2 Goodreads · 1,452 ratings
$19.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In a time of racial segregation, a group of visionary Black thinkers gathered in one home, defying societal limits. Through adversity, they celebrated Black culture and ignited a transformative movement. Their legacy continues to inspire and guide us today. Explore their story through vivid art and poetic reflection.
Browse by age

African American History Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about african american history for preschool and elementary-age readers.

The ABCs of Black History
Sale price
$1495

The ABCs of Black History

Ages 5–12 · 2020

Explore Black history through an alphabet of triumph, creativity, and iconic figures.

When Marian Sang
Sale price
$1899

When Marian Sang

Ages 7–10 · 2002

A singer's voice defies barriers at a historic concert.

Sale price
$2526

Juneteenth

Ages 7–9 · 2005

Discover the origins and evolution of Juneteenth.

The Oldest Student
Sale price
$1799

The Oldest Student

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A young girl dreams of freedom and learning to read in the midst of slavery and hardship.

Sale price
$1599

Aretha Franklin

Ages 4–7 · 2020

Discover how a young girl from Tennessee became the Queen of Soul and a music legend.

Sale price
$1599

Jesse Owens

Ages 4–7 · 2020

A young athlete defies racism and sets world records at the 1936 Olympics.

The Book Itch
Sale price
$1799

The Book Itch

Ages 7–10 · 2015

A bookstore in Harlem becomes a hub for change and ideas.

Freedom in Congo Square
Sale price
$1799

Freedom in Congo Square

Ages 4–8 · 2016

In 19th century Louisiana, slaves find brief freedom and joy in Congo Square every Sunday.

Freedom Over Me
Sale price
$1799

Freedom Over Me

Ages 6–10 · 2016

Explore the untold dreams and worth of those deemed mere property.

Counting the Stars
Sale price
$1799

Counting the Stars

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A mathematician's calculations are crucial for a historic space mission.

Browse by age

African American History Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about african american history for developing and independent readers.

Sale price
$699

Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen?

Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Tuskegee Airmen were the first airplane pilots of color ever in the US military, and they played a major role in winning World War II.

Sale price
$1799

Katherine Johnson

Ages 6–8 · 2017

Discover the mathematician whose calculations launched NASA's early missions.

Escape North!
Sale price
$599

Escape North!

Ages 7–9 · 2000

Escape slavery, lead others to freedom, and fight for justice.

Sale price
$699

Who Was Louis Armstrong?

Ages 8–12 · 2004

The life of Louis Armstrong, a famous jazz musician, is explored from his childhood in New Orleans to his rise to fame.

Childtimes
Sale price
$999

Childtimes

Ages 8–12 · 1979

Three generations of women share vivid childhood memories, revealing a century of history and heritage.

Amos Fortune, Free Man
Sale price
$799

Amos Fortune, Free Man

Ages 9–12 · 1950

Captured at 15, Amos dreams of freedom for 45 years. Will he finally break his chains?

Sale price
$399

Harriet Tubman

Ages 6–10 · 2005

A brave woman defies oppression, leading many to freedom.

Sale price
$2500

Sojourner Truth

Ages 9–12 · 2000

A woman born into slavery in New York endures separation, abuse, and loss before finding her voice as a powerful advocate for freedom, justice, and equality.