Books About African Americans · 2,252 titles considered

The Best African Americans Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

Looking for excellent children's books about african americans? 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.

A Long Walk to Water
Graphic Nov.
The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About African Americans

Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 10–12 · 2010

A Long Walk to Water

By Linda Sue Park

Two Sudanese children face perilous journeys for survival and hope.

128 pages· 20,925 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.3/5 Goodreads · 107,590 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 1999

Bud, Not Buddy

A boy's quest to find his father leads him on an unforgettable journey during the Great Depression.

Newbery Medal (2000)
245 pages· 52,497 words· Est. 6 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.0/5 Goodreads · 116,544 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 1976

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

A family's land is their lifeblood amidst racism and turmoil.

276 pages· 65,468 words· Est. 7.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.9/5 Goodreads · 131,484 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2016

Ghost

By Jason Reynolds · Book #1 in the Track series

A young sprinter must outrun his past to achieve greatness on the track team.

208 pages· 39,201 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
6.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 53,925 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

New Kid

By Jerry Craft · Book #1 in the New Kid series

A young artist navigates two worlds, struggling to fit in at a new school.

249 pages· 14,169 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.1/5 Goodreads · 62,474 ratings
$23.99Save 5%
Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2014

Brown Girl Dreaming

A young girl finds her voice amidst the echoes of Jim Crow and Civil Rights awakening.

366 pages· 30,215 words· Est. 3.5 hour read
5.5/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 94,538 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2017

Ban This Book

A fourth grader battles censorship to save her favorite book from being banned.

256 pages· 45,851 words· Est. 6.5 hour read
4.4/5 Goodreads · 16,619 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2019

Some Places More Than Others

A birthday trip to Harlem reveals family secrets and unexpected connections.

208 pages· 32,642 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,387 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2018

The Parker Inheritance

A hidden letter reveals a mystery and a fortune. Can Candice and Brandon solve it before it's lost forever?

368 pages· 84,464 words· Est. 11 hour read-aloud
4.2/5 Goodreads · 9,331 ratings
Chapter Book · Ages 9–13 · 2019

Genesis Begins Again

A girl battles self-doubt and family turmoil to find self-love.

370 pages· 76,058 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.3/5 Goodreads · 9,033 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
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Browse by age

African Americans Board Books for Babies & Toddlers

Sturdy, inviting books about african americans for the youngest readers and listeners.

This Little Trailblazer

Ages 3–5 · 2017

Discover ten women who changed history with their courage and vision.

I Love All of Me

Ages 0–3 · 2019

Celebrate self-love from head to toe in this joyful storybook.

I Am So Brave!

Ages 1–3 · 2014

A toddler conquers fears, embracing new experiences with courage.

Bath! Bath! Bath!

Ages 3–6 · 2018

Discover the joy of bath time with playful rhymes and splashes.

Hands On!
Sale price
$999

Hands On!

Ages 0–4 · 2022

Celebrate a baby's journey from crawling to first steps.

One Big Day
Sale price
$799

One Big Day

Ages 0–4 · 2022

Celebrate a baby's first birthday with joy and wonder.

Dream Big, Little One

Ages 0–3 · 2018

Discover 18 women who defied odds and changed history.

Swashby and the Sea

Ages 4–7 · 2020

A sea-loving captain's notes to noisy neighbors get hilariously altered by the beach.

Hair Like Mine
Sale price
$1095

Hair Like Mine

Ages 1–12 · 2015

A girl seeks someone with hair like hers, discovering uniqueness along the way.

Pretty Brown Face

Ages 0–3 · 1997

Join a family meal and celebrate rhythm and movement with a joyful baby boy.

I Love My Haircut!
Sale price
$699

I Love My Haircut!

Ages 1–3
Skin Like Mine
Sale price
$895

Skin Like Mine

Ages 1–12 · 2016

Celebrate diversity with a delightful tale that will make you smile and hungry.

View all african americans board books
Browse by age

African Americans Picture Books

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

A Wreath for Emmett Till

Ages 12–18 · 2005

A boy's tragic fate ignites a movement against injustice.

I Want to Be a Doctor

Ages 4–8 · 2018

A young boy visits the hospital with his family after his brother gets hurt.

Don't Throw It to Mo!

Ages 6–8 · 2015

A young football player proves himself despite his small size

Ty's Travels: Beach Day!
Sale price
$1699

Ty's Travels: Beach Day!

Ages 4–7 · 2021

A young boy spends the day at the beach with his dad and meets a new friend.

The Real Slam Dunk

Ages 7–10 · 2002

A young boy's basketball dreams are challenged by unexpected advice from his hero.

Martin Luther King Jr.: A Peaceful Leader

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Discover how peaceful protest changed history.

Snow Day!
Sale price
$599

Snow Day!

Ages 4–6
Harriet Tubman
Sale price
$1699

Harriet Tubman

Ages 4–8 · 2018

Discover Harriet Tubman's daring escapes and secret missions during the Civil War.

The Proudest Blue

Ages 4–8

Two sisters navigate their first day of school with one of them wearing a hijab for the first time.

Corduroy Lost and Found

Ages 3–5 · 2006

Corduroy seeks the perfect gift but gets lost in the process.

What Is Given from the Heart

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A young boy helps his mother put together a care package for a family in need, and finds a way to give something special to a girl his age.

Me & Mama

Ages 4–8 · 2020

A rainy day reveals the unbreakable bond between mother and daughter.

Browse by age

African Americans Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about african americans for developing and independent readers.

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You
Sale price
$1899

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You

Ages 12–18 · 2020

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

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero
Sale price
$1699

Isaiah Dunn Is My Hero

Ages 8–10 · 2020

A boy finds strength in his late father's journal, discovering poetry and hidden powers.

Ace of Spades
Sale price
$1899

Ace of Spades

Ages 14–18 · 2021

Two students face a dangerous game as an anonymous bully reveals their secrets.

Full Cicada Moon

Ages 8–12 · 2015

In 1969, Mimi battles prejudice and dreams of space in a new town.

The Crossover

Ages 11–15

A young basketball player navigates his relationships with his family and friends while learning valuable life lessons on and off the court

Rebound
Sale price
$1699

Rebound

Ages 10–12 · 2018

A summer with grandparents changes young Charlie's life through basketball and family secrets.

From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Sale price
$1799

From the Desk of Zoe Washington

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A girl seeks the truth about her imprisoned father's innocence, risking family secrets.

A Good Kind of Trouble
Sale price
$1699

A Good Kind of Trouble

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A rule-following girl faces a choice: stay silent or stand up for justice.

Long Way Down
Sale price
$1999

Long Way Down

Ages 14–18 · 2017

A boy faces a life-altering choice in an elevator ride haunted by ghosts of the past.

Keena Ford and the Second-Grade Mix-Up

Ages 6–8 · 2008

A young girl navigates the challenges of second grade, friendships, and growing up

Black Brother, Black Brother
Sale price
$1699

Black Brother, Black Brother

Ages 9–12 · 2020

A boy battles racism and injustice through fencing, seeking redemption and belonging.

When Stars Are Scattered

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A refugee boy faces a choice: education or staying with his brother.

Keep exploring
Books about prejudice and racismBooks about family historyBooks about self-discoveryBooks about abuseBooks about activismBooks about belongingBooks about buried treasureBooks about censorship

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