The following books are great resources about black history and culture. Some titles are available for free at the Cottonwood Lending Library (designated as LL next to the book title) or on Sora through NorthNet Library (designated as NN next to the book title). You must add NorthNet Library to your Sora account to access the books designated NN. To add NorthNet Library system, go to Sora. Under the Explore heading on the left, click the caret next to The Cottonwood School, then click Add Library, and enter NorthNet Library in the search bar. You’ll then be able to view the available titles.
Before She Was Harriet (LL, NN)
Author: Leza Cline-Ransome
Grade Level: K-6
Topic: non-fiction, Civil War
Summary: Biography of the life of Harriet Tubman and the many roles she played, spy, liberator, suffragist.
Resources: Before She Was Harriet Educator Guide
Change Sings (LL, NN)
Author: Amanda Gorman
Grade Level: K-6
Topic: fiction
Summary: Inaugural poet Amanda Gormon’s new children’s book. This book is about the ability for people to make big changes if they just work together.
Resources: Change Sings Teacher Guide
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut (LL,NN)
Author: Derrick Barnes
Grade Level: 1-6
Topic: fiction
Summary: The barber shop is where the magic happens. Great things happen when you get a new cut, feel good, and look great.
Resources: Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut Teaching Ideas
Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon by Kelly Starling Lyons
Author: Kelly Starling Lyons
Grade Level: K-4
Topic: non-fiction
Summary: Meet Philip Freelon, a contemporary black architect who builds schools, libraries, and museums.
Resources: Dreambuilder Teacher Guide
Hair Love (LL, NN)
Author: Matthew Cherry
Grade Level: K-3
Topic: fiction
Summary: An ode to loving your natural hair. A father helps his daughter create special hair style.
Resources: Hair Love Literature Guide
Let the Children March (LL/NN)
Author: Victoria Nelson
Grade Level: K-3
Topic: civil rights, non-fiction
Summary: Tells the story of the thousands of children who joined the Civil Rights march in Birmingham, AL in 1963.
Resources:
Ron’s Big Mission (LL)
Author: Rose Blue
Grade Level: K-3
Topic: non-fiction, civil rights
Summary: Based on the life of Ron McNair, Challenger astronaut. This is the story of how one boy desegregated his local library through peaceful protest.
Resources: Ron’s Big Mission Reading Questions
Sulwe (LL, NN)
Author: Lupita Nyong’o
Grade Level: K-4
Topic: fiction
Summary: Sulwe has skin “as dark as midnight.” She originally longs for her skin to be lighter, but learns that beauty comes in all shades of color.
Resources: Sulwe Discussion Guide
Trombone Shorty (LL, NN)
Author: Troy Andrews
Grade Level: 1-4
Topic: non-fiction
Summary: This is the story of Troy Andrews, Grammy-nominated musician, who got the nickname Trombone Shorty because his trombone was twice as large as he was.
Resources: Trombone Shorty Lesson Plan
The Youngest Marcher (NN)
Author: Cynthia Levinson
Grade Level: K-4
Topic: non-fiction, civil rights
Summary: Meet the youngest known protester to be arrested during the Civil Rights movement in Birmingham, AL. The remarkable story of nine-year-old Audrey Fae Hendricks.
Resources: Common Core Guide to the Youngest Marcher
Blended (LL, NN)
Author: Sharon M. Draper
Grade Level: 3-7
Topic: fiction
Summary: 11-year old Isabella’s parents are divorced. Every week she goes between her black father and her white mother’s homes and struggles to figure out her identity in her blended world.
Resources: Blended Study Guide
The Boy Who Harness the Wind (LL)
Author: William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer
Grade Level: 3-5
Topic: non-fiction
Summary: William saves his town from famine by building a windmill to provide water and electricity.
Resources: The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind Discussion Guide
Brendan Buckley’s Universe
Author: Sundee Frazier
Grade Level: 3-5
Topic: fiction
Summary: Brendan Buckley is a 10-year-old biracial kid who loves science. A chance encounter puts him in touch with the white grandfather he doesn’t know. They may have different color skin, but they share the same passions.
Resources: Brendan Buckley’s Universe Teacher’s Guide
Clayton Byrd Goes Underground
Author: Rita Williams Garcia
Grade Level: 3-7
Topic: fiction
Summary: Clayton idolizes his grandfather, Cool Papa Byrd, who plays in a Blues band. But when his grandfather dies, Clayton’s mom forbids him to play the blues. Clayton leaves home in search of his grandfather’s band and has many adventures.
Resources: Clayton Byrd Goes Underground Teacher’s Guide
From the Desk of Zoe Washington
Author: Janae Marks
Grade Level: 3-6
Topic: udi
Summary: Zoey is determined to discover the truth about her father’s imprisonment.
Resources: From the Desk of Zoe Washington Teacher’s Guide
Garvey’s Choice
Author: Nikki Grimes
Grade Level: 4-8
Topic: fiction
Summary: Garvey loves science, reading, and fiction. He struggles with being bullied at school. When he joins the school chorus, his life changes.
Resources: Garvey’s Choice
Kinda Like Brothers
Author: Coe Booth
Grade Level: 3-6
Topic: fiction, foster families
Summary: Jarret’s mom takes in foster babies. But when the new foster baby also has an older brother Jarret’s age, Jarret struggles with having to share his life and room with another boy.
Resources: Kinda Like Brothers Discussion Questions
One Plastic Bag
Author: Isatou Ceesay & the Recycling Women of the Gambia
Grade Level: 3-5
Topic: nonfiction, science, community service
Summary: The inspiring story of how one woman started a recycling program to save her community from the pollution from plastic bags.
Resources: One Plastic Bag Teacher Resources
One Last Word: Wisdom from the Harlem Renaissance (NN)
Author: Nikki Grims
Grade Level: 4-6
Topic: nonfiction
Summary: A collection of poetry inspired by the Harlem Renaissance .
Resources: One Last Word Teacher’s Guide
Step Right Up: How Doc and Jim Key Taught the World About Kindness
Author: Donna Janell Bowman
Grade Level: 2-6
Topic: nonfiction
Summary: Jim was born a weak colt. Doc Key, a former slave and self-taught veterinarian helps him grow into a strong stallion. and they travel the country putting on shows about animal kindness.
Resources:Step Right Up Teacher’s Guide
Brown Girl Dreaming (LL, NN)
Author: Jacqueline Woodson
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: nonfiction
Summary: Written in prose, this is the story of Jacqueline Woodson growing up Black in American in the 1960s and 70s.
Resources: Teacher’s Guide to Jacqueline Woodson’s Books
The Crossover (NN)
Author: Kwame Alexander
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: fiction
Summary: Brothers Josh and Jordan are kings on the court. Written in verse.
Resources: The Crossover Literature Guide
Ghost Boys (NN)
Topic: fiction
Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes
Grade Level: 6-8
Summary: A story about a young black boy killed by police officers. As a ghost, young Jerome sees the impact of his death on his family and community and meets another ghost.
Resources: The Ghost Boys Teacher Guide
Planet Middle School (NN)
Author: Nikki Grimes
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: fiction
Summary: 12-year old Joylin enjoys playing basketball with the boys. But as she enters middle school, everything starts to change. A coming of age story.
Resources: Planet Middle School Teacher’s Guide
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (LL)
Author: Brandy Colbert and Jeanne Theoharis
Grade Level: 6-12
Topic: nonfiction, civil rights
Summary: Examines Rosa Parks’ 60 years of activism.
Resources: Rosa Parks Teacher’s Guide
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry (NN)
Author: Mildred D. Taylor
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: fiction
Summary: 1930s life in Mississippi viewed through the eyes of a nine-year-old Cassie Logan.
Resources: Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry Teacher’s Guide
The Stars Beneath Our Feet (NN)
Author: David Barclay Moore
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: fiction
Summary: It’s Christmas Eve in Harlem, but one family isn’t celebrating. They’re still reeling from the death of one of their children in a gang-related shooting.
Resources: The Stars Beneath Our Feet Discussion Guide
Searching for Sarah Rector: The Richest Black Girl in America
Author: Tonya Bolden
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: nonfiction
Summary: The rags to riches story of Sarah Rector.
Resources: Searching for Sarah Rector Teaching Ideas
Tristan Strong Punchs a Hole in the Sky (NN)
Author: Kwame Mbalia
Grade Level: 6-8
Topic: fiction, fantasy
Summary: Tristan punches a tree and accidentally opens up a hole into another world.
Resources: Tristan Strong Punches a Hole Discussion Guide
The Hate U Give
Author: Angie Thomas
Grade Level: 9-12
Topic: fiction
Summary: Starr’s life moves between two worlds, the poor neighborhood where she lives and the suburban neighborhood where she goes to school.
Resources: How to Teach the Hate You Give
Kindred
Author: Octavia Butler
Grade Level: 9-12
Topic: fiction
Summary: Dana finds herself transported back in time to the antebellum South.
Resources: Kindred Teacher’s Guide
Money Hungry
Author: Sharon Flake
Grade Level: 9-12
Topic: fiction
Summary: Raspberry is obsessed with money. She will do anything legal to get her hands on some cash. The story of one girl’s struggle to break her family out of poverty.
Resources: Money Hungry Discussion Guide
The Poet Slave of Cuba
Author: Margarita Engle
Grade Level: 9-12
Topic: nonfiction
Summary: Biography of Juan Francisco Manzano, who was born into slavery in Cuba in the 1700s and later became a poet and author while still enslaved.
Resources: Poet Slave of Cuba Teacher’s Guide
The Poet X
Author: Elizabeth Aceveda
Grade Level: 9-12
Topic: poetry
Summary: The debut novel of slam poet Elizabeth Acevedo explores the life of a girl in Harlem who discovers slam poetry as a way to understand her mother’s religion and her relationship to the world.
Resources: The Poet X Unit Guide
The Skin I’m In
Author: Sharon Flake
Grade Level: 8-12
Topic: fiction
Summary: Maleeka is a middle school girl who is teased in school because she has dark skin and eventually learns to stand up for herself.
Resources: The Skin I’m In Discussion Guide