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Are you looking for ways to incorporate black history into your homeschool instruction? If so, you’re in luck: there are many wonderful books on the subject for kids of all ages. In this article, we’ve included some of our favorite recommendations for age-appropriate books on black history. You’ll find our recommendations on books for little kids, elementary and middle school students, and high schoolers. Some of these books include ideas for activities and projects that the whole family can enjoy. We hope this list helps you study and celebrate black history with your child in February and throughout the year!
For Little Kids
My Little Golden Book About Martin Luther King Jr., Bonnie Bader. This is a charming, beautifully illustrated picture book about Martin Luther King, Jr. Young readers learn about King’s life growing up in segregated Atlanta and how his experiences in childhood shaped him into the iconic leader he became.
Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad, Ellen Levine and Kadir Nelson. This wonderfully illustrated book tells the story of Henry Brown, a little boy living in slavery who decides to mail himself in a shipping crate to the North so that he can be free.
The ABCs of Black History, Rio Cortez. This is a wonderful ABC book for the youngest readers who are still learning the alphabet. Important ideas, events, and figures in African-American history are highlighted.
Our Black Heritage Coloring Book, Carole Marsh. Kids learn about important people and moments in black history in this 24-page coloring books that many older kids will also enjoy. And if your child doesn’t already own a set of Crayola Colors of the World crayons, colored pencils, or markers, we highly recommend you grab a set now!
For Elementary and Middle School Students
Black Heroes: A Black History Book for Kids, Arlisha Norwood. This is a beautifully illustrated book featuring important black figures in history, from Nefertiti and Harriet Tubman to Langston Hughes and Barack Obama.
A Child’s Introduction to African American History, Jabari Asim. This book serves as a wonderful beginning history reader on the experience of African Americans. From the Middle Passage to the Civil War to the twentieth century, this is the most comprehensive African-American history book available for kids, and it includes plenty of beautiful illustrations and maps.
Underground Railroad: Navigate the Journey from Slavery to Freedom with 25 Projects, Judy Dodge Cummings. This is a fantastic book for older elementary and middle school students, providing a thorough history of the Underground Railroad along with 25 wonderful hands-on projects perfect for the homeschool setting.
A Kid’s Guide to African American History: More than 70 Activities, Nancy I. Sanders. If you want to celebrate Black History Month with lots of fun, hands-on activities, this is a must-have volume. The book includes more than 70 ideas for art projects, songs, games, crafts, and other activities that teach African-American history.
Black History Writing Prompts for Kids, Urban Intellectuals. This is an excellent book if your child likes to write or if you want to combine black history lessons with writing exercises in your homeschool. Example writing prompts include, “If I could ask Harriet Tubman anything, I would ask…” and “Write a letter to a notable Black history figure, thanking them for the contributions they made to society”. These prompts can lead to wonderful family discussions about black history.
For High School Students
The African Americans: Many Rivers to Cross, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. If you are only looking to purchase one book on black history for your high school student, this is the one we’d recommend. It presents a sweeping history of African Americans that spans 500 years and will help your high schooler see American history from a much richer, fuller perspective.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Maya Angelou. This is Maya Angelou’s classic memoir about growing up in the segregated American South. Ultimately, Angelou finds inner freedom through strength, kindness, and the reading of great authors.
Black Boy, Richard Wright. This classic autobiography follows Wright’s experience as a young African American in Jim Crow Mississippi. He eventually makes his way to Chicago, where he starts a new life and ultimately must grapple with the brutality of his past.
Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race, Margot Lee Shetterly. This is the inspiring true story of the black women mathematicians who worked behind the scenes of the American space program, performing the complex calculations that ultimately allowed Americans to reach the moon. It’s a wonderful read for all high school students, especially those who are STEM-oriented.
Conclusion
Whether you are homeschooling a preschooler or a twelfth grader, there are many wonderful books on black history that will make a fantastic addition to your homeschool instruction. If you have questions or would like more information on this topic, please email us!