African Americans

Realistic fiction

Non-fiction

Traditional

Biography

Historical fiction

Poetry

Fantasy

CLICK ON THE BOOK’S TITLE TO LINK TO amazon.com TO PURCHASE YOUR FAVORITE BOOKS.

NOTE: RECENTLY ADDED TITLES APPEAR IN RED.

Realistic Fiction:

Ackerman, K. (1999). By the dawn’s early light. Illustrated by C. Stock. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. (K-3)

A young girl and her brother stay with their grandmother while their mother works at night. (card catalog)

Adoff, A. (1992). Black is brown is tan. Illustrated by E. A. McCully. New York: Harpercollins Juvenile Books. (K-3)

Momma is black and Daddy is white but the family is many colors. The members of their loving circle make the world sweet for the young children growing up tall and strong.

(amazon.com)

Barbara, B. E. (1996). Allie’s basketball dream. Illustrated by D. Ligasan. New York: Lee & Low. (K-3)

Allie cannot wait to get to the local courts with her new ball after going to a pro basketball game with her father, but her enthusiasm ebbs as her shots fall short of the basket, until, shrugging off comments about basketball being a “boy’s sport,” Allie scores, becoming the inspiration of the playground. (amazon.com)

Barbara, B. E. (1996). Saturday at The New You. Illustrated by A. Rich. Lee & Low. (K-2)

An expressively written and beautifully illustrated story of a young African American girl’s special Saturdays spent with her mother at The New You Beauty Parlor. The shop is set up for business, and the day unfolds to the wonderful smells of sweet peach shampoo, strawberry conditioner, and fresh coffee. Customers share laughter, chocolate-chip cookies, jelly donuts, and sweet-potato pies. Some enjoy napping while sitting under the dryer. As the day ends, Shauna sits down with her dolls and her comb and works on her "customers.” The first-person narration mirrors the myriad activities of the shop and the child’s enthusiasm about spending her day there. The double-spread illustrations feature the activities of the day, rendered predominately in vivid shades of peach and pink. (School Library Journal)

Buckley, H. (2000). Grandmother and I. Illustrated by J. Ormerod. New York: Harpercollins Juvenile Books. (K-3)

A little girl finds her grandmother’s lap the perfect place to be when she’s not feeling well, when lightning flashes, or when the cat has been gone for two days. Grandfather and grandson enjoy nice, slow nature walks together, while the rest of the family and the world around them rushes by. (The Horn Book, 1994)

Bunting, E. (1999). Smoky night. Illustrated by D. Diaz. New York: Harcourt Brace. (1-4)

When the smell of smoke wakens Daniel and his mother during the night, they flee from the rioting outside their apartment to a shelter. Inspired by an innocent comment from Daniel, his mother introduces herself to a neighbor; the African-American woman’s attempt to reach out to the Korean-American woman is a clear result of surviving the riots together. (The Horn Book, 1994)

Burrowes, A. J. (2000). Grandma’s purple flowers. New York: Lee and Low Books. (K-3)

The narrator’s favorite Grandma lives through the park and down the hill. On the way to visit her, the little girl picks purple flowers – Grandma’s favorite. One day, when the girl knocks on Grandma’s door, Grandma moves slowly and is too tired to play. That night, she passes away. Throughout winter, the little girl misses her terribly. But when spring arrives, the sight of purple flowers she and her grandmother planted in the garden makes her smile again. (amazon.com)

Cameron, A. (2000). Gloria’s way. Illustrated by L. Toft. New York: Farrar, Straus & Giroux. (1-3)

In this collection of six stories, Gloria has some fun adventures as she makes her way through each day. (Borders.com)

Cameron, A. (1999). Julian’s glorious summer. Illustrated by D. Leder. New York: Econo-Clad Books. (1-3)

When his best friend, Gloria, receives a new bike, seven-year-old Julian spends the summer avoiding her because of his fear of bikes. (Borders.com)

Chocolate, D. M. N. (1996). A very special Kwanzaa. New York: Scholastic. K-3

Remembering how the kids made fun of his dashiki, beads, and sandals the previous year, Charlie is reluctant to participate in the present year's Kwanzaa Festival at school, until he remembers the deeper meaning of Kwanzaa. (amazon.com)

Chocolate, D. M. N. (1999). My first Kwanzaa book. Illustrated by C. Massey. New York: Scholastic. (K-2)

During the last week of December, Kwanzaa is a time to dress up in African clothes and gather together with relatives from all over the country. Grandma brings special things to eat, Grandpa lights the candles, and everyone in the family celebrates their heritage. (amazon.com)

Clements, A. (2002). The jacket. Illustrated by M. Henderson. New York: Simon & Schuster. (4-6)

After wrongly accusing a boy--an African American boy—of stealing his brother’s jacket, Phil--a white boy--has some hard thinking to do. And a tough question for his mom: “How come you never told me I was prejudiced?” This seemingly small school incident turns into a painful, but ultimately satisfying, learning opportunity for the sixth grader, as he explores the myriad influences in his life and the way his thought patterns have formed... and finds a new friend in the process. The intellectual evolution Phil goes through may be somewhat facile for a child his age, but Andrew Clements’ message will undoubtedly hit home for many readers. This is exactly the kind of situation that arises every day in schools (and offices and buses) all over the world. (amazon.com)

Collier, B. (2000). Uptown. New York: Henry Holt & Company. (K-3)

Discover the vibrant world of Harlem, New York, as seen through the eyes of one little boy who lives there. (amazon.com)

Copage, E. (1995). A Kwanzaa fable. New York: William Morrow. (5-6)

Resenting the difficult responsibilities that are thrust upon him after his father's death, thirteen-year-old Jordan reluctantly helps his younger siblings and learns how the seven principles of Kwanzaa can be applied to everyday life. (amazon.com)

Crews, D. (1998). Bigmama’s. New York: Mulberry Books. (K-3)

Visiting Bigmama’s house in the country, young Donald Crews finds his relatives full of news and the old place and its surroundings just the same as the year before. (card catalog)

Crews, N. (1995). One hot summer day. New York: Greenwillow Books. (K-3)

It is summer and it is hot, but the running, dancing narrator enjoys every moment of her day--drawing, teasing her shadow, eating popsicles, and even the big, cool drops of rain when they begin to fall. (amazon.com)

Cunnane, K. (2006). For you are a Kenyan boy. Illustrated by A. Juan. Atheneum/Anne Schwartz Books. (K-3)

Imagine you live in a small Kenyan village, where the sun rises over tall trees filled with doves. You wake to the sound of a rooster’s crow, instead of an alarm clock and the school bus. Your afternoon snack is a tasty bug plucked from the sky, instead of an apple. And rather than kicking a soccer ball across a field, you kick a homemade ball of rags down a dusty road. But despite this, things aren’t that different for a Kenyan child than they would be for an American kid, are they? With so much going on around you, it’s just as easy to forget what your mama asked you to do! (amazon.com)

Daly, N. (2005). Ruby sings the blues. Bloomsbury. (K-2)

Ruby’s voice is so loud that her neighbors call her "Boom-box,” and "Loud-mouth,” and the kids at school won’t play with her. Feeling silenced and criticized, Ruby falls into a funk until her cool, jazz musician neighbors teach her to harness her amazing vocal chords. Soon Ruby is singing the blues and taking her school auditorium by storm. Daly tells a simple story of a child learning to focus and develop her talents. The nicely paced, rhythmic text will read well to a crowd, and the lyrical descriptions of what Ruby learns to do ("sing sharp, zooming notes like the sounds of the city . . and gentle breathy notes like a cool evening breeze”) will introduce children to the musicianship and emotion singers bring to their work. Daly’s mixed-media illustrations showcase a cast of urban hipsters wearing patterned outfits that extend the rhythms in the story, and present raucous scenes of folks in Ruby’s multicultural neighborhood grooving to tunes that celebrate music’s power to bring people together. (Booklist)

Diakite, P. (2005). I lost my tooth in Africa. Illustrated by B. W. Diakite. New York: Scholastic. (K – 4)

More than anything, Amina wants to lose her loose tooth while visiting her family in Mali, West Africa. Only then can she put it under a gourd for the African tooth fairy, who will exchange it for two chickens! Happily this happens, and even better, the chickens lay eggs. But will the eggs hatch before it’s time to return home to America? In this fresh, spontaneous story that is infused with close family warmth, Penda June Diakite joins forces with her award-winning author/artist father to give a charming peek at everyday life in Mali. (amazon.com)

England, L. (1998). The old cotton blues. Illustrated by T. Flavin. New York: M. K. McElderry. (K-3)

Dexter is a boy who loves three things: his mother, pork chops, and the “sound of Johnny Cotton's clarinet”. That last one makes Dexter feel “the blue-down blues, and the deep-down- shaking, slow-laughing feel-goods”. This city-dwelling boy, who has just one parent, has the strong desire to play, too; his dream of having a clarinet is not possible, but the kindly Johnny shares his time and encourages the boy with a story and a gift - his own father’s harmonica. (Kirkus Reviews, 1998)

English, K. (2004). Hot day on Abbott Avenue. Illustrated by J. Steptoe. Clarion Books. (K-2)

After having a fight, two friends spend the day ignoring each other, until the lure of a game of jump rope helps them to forget about being mad. (card catalog)

English, K. (1996). Neeny coming, Neeny going. Illustrated by S. Saint James. Mahwah, NJ: Bridgewater Books. (K-4)

Essie is excited to see her cousin Neeny, who recently moved to the South Carolina mainland from Daufuskie Island. Neeny is now a fancy young lady, no longer interested in the island way of life. But does anyone ever really forget their roots? Essie knows the answer and gives her cousin a special gift that will always keep the island close to her. (amazon.com)

Flourney, V. (1985). The patchwork quilt. Illustrated by J. Pinkney. New York: E. P. Dutton. (1-4)

Using scraps cut from the family’s old clothing, Tanya helps her grandmother make a beautiful quilt that tells the story of her family’s life. (card catalog)

Flourney, V. (1995). Tanya’s reunion. Illustrated by J. Pinkney. New York: Dial Books. (1-4)

Tanya visits a farm in Virginia where she helps her grandmother prepare for the family reunion and opens her eyes to special adventures. (amazon.com)

Greenfield, E. (1992). Africa dream. Illustrated by C. Byard. New York: HarperCollins Juvenile Books. (K-3)

An African-American child dreams of Africa, where she sees animals, shops in a marketplace, reads from a strange old book, and returns to the village where her granddaddy welcomed her so long ago. (amazon.com)

Greenfield, E. (1999). Grandmama’s joy. Illustrated by C. Byard. New York: Econo-Clad Books. (K-3)

When Rhondy’s grandmother is sad after learning that they must find another place to live, Rhondy reminds her that they will still have what is most important - each other. (card catalog)

Greenfield, E. (1988). Grandpa’s face. Illustrated by F. Cooper. New York: Philomel Books. (K-3)

Seeing her beloved grandfather making a mean face while he rehearses for one of his plays, Tamika becomes afraid that someday she will lose his love and he will make that mean face at her.

Greenfield, E. (1993). She come bringing me that little baby girl. Illustrated by J. Steptoe. New York: HarperTrophy. (K-3)

After telling his mother to bring back a little baby brother from the hospital, Kevin is disappointed when she arrives home with a baby girl. (amazon.com)

Greenfield, E. (1993). William and the good old days. Illustrated by J. S. Gilchrist. New York: HarperCollins Children’s Books. (K-3)

A little boy remembers his grandmother before she became ill, and during her long recovery he tries to imagine how things will be when she comes home from the hospital. (card catalog)

Gilchrist, J. S. (1997). Madelia. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. (K-3)

Madelia can't wait to try out her six new jars of watercolors. But what will she paint? That Sunday, fidgeting as her daddy preaches, she has a burst of inspiration and knows exactly what she will paint. (amazon.com)

Hamilton, V. (1997). The bells of Christmas. Illustrated by L. Davis. New York: Harcourt Brace. (4-6)

Award-winning author Virginia Hamilton provides a heartwarming story perfect for the Christmas gift-giving season. (amazon.com)

Hamilton,V. (1993). Zeely. Illustrated by S. Shimin. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. (4-6)

Greeder’s summer at her uncle’s farm is made special because of her friendship with a very tall, composed woman who raises hogs and who closely resembles the magazine photograph of a Watutsi queen. (card catalog)

Havill, J. (1990). Jamaica tag-along. Illustrated by A. S. O’Brien. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. (K-3)

When her older brother refuses to let her tag along with him, Jamaica goes off by herself and allows a younger child to play with her. (card catalog)

Havill, J. (1999). Jamaica and the substitute teacher. Illustrated by A. S. O’Brien. Boston: Houghton Mifflin. (K-3)

Jamaica likes the substitute teacher right away. Mrs. Duval is very nice, and she thinks of interesting things for the class to do. When the kids have to hunt for a hidden object, it's Jamaica who solves the clues. She figures out all the answers to the math puzzles, and Mrs. Duval praises her reading, too. But when it's time for the spelling test, Jamaica realizes that she is not prepared. Wanting so badly to please Mrs. Duval, she makes a poor decision. What will Mrs. Duval think of her now? (amazon.com)

Helldorfer, M. (1999). Silver Rain Brown. Illustrated by T. Flavin. New York: Houghton Mifflin. (K-3)

As a city neighborhood looks for ways to survive a long, hot, summer drought, a single mother and her young son await the birth of a new baby. The heat wave has tempers rising like mercury in a thermometer. Can’t cool down! Finally, it rains - a soft, silver rain that brings everyone outside. That night the baby arrives, like the rain, a blessing. Welcome to the world, Silver Rain Brown! (amazon.com)

Hesse, K. (1999). Come on, rain! Illustrated by J. J. Muth. New York: Scholastic Trade. (K-3)

“Come on, rain!” Tess pleads to the sky as listless vines and parched plants droop in the endless heat. Then the clouds roll in and the rain pours. And Tess, her friends, and their mothers join in together in a rain dance to celebrate the shower that renews both body and spirit. (amazon.com)

Hoffman, M. (1991). Amazing Grace. Illustrated by C. Binch. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. (K-3)

Although a classmate says that she cannot play Peter Pan in the school play because she is black, Grace discovers that she can do anything she sets her mind to do. (card catalog)

Hoffman, M. (2000). Boundless Grace. Illustrated by C. Binch. New York: Puffin. (K-3)

In this sequel to Amazing Grace, Grace longs for the kind of family she reads about in books, but she barely remembers her own father who left home when she was small. Then he invites her to visit him and his new family in Africa, and Grace soon realizes that even in divided families, love can prove boundless. (Borders.com)

Hoffman, M. (2000). Starring Grace. Illustrated by C. Binch. New York: Penguin Putnam. (K-3))

Grace again takes center stage in her very own chapter book. School’s out for summer, and each day brings a new adventure for Grace and her friends. (borders.com)

Holman, S. L. (1998). Grandpa, is everything black bad? Illustrated by L. Kometiani. Davis, CA: The Culture CO-OP. (K-3)

An illustrated story of an African American boy who comes to appreciate his dark skin by learning about his African heritage from his grandfather. (card catalog)

Hort, L. (1997). How many stars in the sky? Illustrated by J. E. Ransome. New York: Mulberry Books. (K-3)

A boy receives help from his father in his quest to count the stars. Ransome’s striking oil paintings feature well-composed landscapes and graceful figures. A warm story of a father and son’s special night out. (Horn Book, 1991)

Howard, E. F. (1995). Aunt Flossie’s hats and crab cakes later. Illustrated by J. Ransome. New York: Clarion Books. (K-3)

Sunday afternoons are Sarah and Susan's favorite time of the week. That's when they visit Great-great-aunt Flossie--and hear her stories about days of long ago, when she was young. (amazon.com)

Howard, E.F. (1996). Whats’ in Aunt Mary’s room? Illustrated by C. Lucas. New York: Clarion Books. (K-3)

Susan and Sarah have always wondered what’s in the locked room, the one that used to be Aunt Mary’s, at Great-great-aunt Flossie’s house. Now, after helping Aunt Flossie locate the missing key, they find out at last! (amazon.com)

Hudson, C. W. & Ford, B. G. (1990). Bright eyes, brown skin. Illustrated by G. C. Ford. East Orange, NJ: Just Us Books. (K-3)

Four children who feel good about who they are and how they look enjoy the activities of a typical day at school, happy and brimming with confidence and self-esteem. (amazon.com)

Jackson, I. (1996). Somebody’s new pajamas. Illustrated by D. Soman. New York: Dial Books for Young Readers. (K-3)

Robert and Jerome have great fun on a weekend sleepover. When bedtime comes Jerome is uncomfortable because Robert has a pair of blue pajamas. How does Jerome tell Robert that he’s never owned pajamas, and he sleeps in his underwear? (amazon.com)

Johnson, A. (1992). Tell me a story, Mama. Illustrated by D. Soman. New York: Orchard Books. (K-3)

A young girl and her mother remember together all the girl’s favorite stories about her mother’s childhood. (card catalog)

Johnson, A. (1999). The wedding. Illustrated by D. Soman. New York: Orchard Books. (K-3)

An African-American girl is thinking about her big sister's upcoming wedding, and all the joy and sadness it will bring. (Horn Book, 1999)

Johnson, A. (1993). When I am old with you. Illustrated by D. Soman. New York: Orchard Books. (K-3)

A child looks forward to when he is old and doing all the same things with his beloved grandfather that they share now. A warm, affectionate portrait of a special relationship with impressive watercolors that are full of life. (Horn Book, 1991)

Joosse, B. M. (2005). Papa, do you love me? Illustrated by B. Lavallee. San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books. (PreK – 2)

This follow-up to the best-selling Mama, Do You Love Me? (over one million copies sold in 15 languages!) captures the universal love between a father and child. Set in Africa and featuring the Maasai culture, the beautiful watercolor illustrations, lyrical text, and enduring message are sure to make this another instant classic. (amazon.com)

Joosse, B. M. (2002). Stars in the darkness. Illustrated by R. G. Christie. San Francisco, CA; Chronicle Books. (!-5)

In the imagination of a young inner-city boy, police sirens sound like howling wolves, streetlights look like stars, and shots fired by neighborhood gangs sound like those stars cracking the darkness. But when his older brother joins a gang, he can no longer pretend. With the help of his mother, he comes up with a plan to save his brother and unite his neighbors in a stand for peace. The realistic yet uplifting words of best-selling author Barbara M. Joosse combine with powerful illustrations by award-winning artist R. Gregory Christie in this hope-filled story. One young boy’s courage can make a difference. (amazon.com)

Keats, E. J. (1998). Goggles. New York: Puffin. (K-3)

When Peter and his friend Archie find motorcycle goggles, some bigger boys try to take them away. (amazon.com)

Keats, E. J. (1987). Pet show. New York: Aladdin Paperbacks. (K-3)

When he can’t find his cat to enter in a neighborhood pet show, Archie must do some fast thinking to win a prize. (card catalog)

Keats, E. J. (1998). Peter’s chair. New York: Puffin. (K-3)

Peter learns to accept the new baby sister in the family in this endearing story of sibling rivalry. (amazon.com)

Keats, E. J. (1981). The snowy day. New York: Viking Press. (K-3)

The Snowy Day, a 1963 Caldecott Medal winner, is the simple tale of a boy waking up to discover that snow has fallen during the night. Keats’s illustrations, using cut-outs, watercolors, and collage, are strikingly beautiful in their understated color and composition. The tranquil story mirrors the calm presence of the paintings, and both exude the silence of a freshly snow-covered landscape. The little boy celebrates the snow-draped city with a day of humble adventures--experimenting with footprints, knocking snow from a tree, creating snow angels, and trying to save a snowball for the next day. Awakening to a winter wonderland is an ageless, ever-magical experience, and one made nearly visceral by Keats’s gentle tribute. (amazon.com)

Keats, E. J. (1998). Whistle for Willie. New York: Viking Penguin. (K-3)

First published in 1964, this book, now available in a durable board book edition, tells of a young boy who longs to whistle for his dog. (amazon.com)

Kroll, V. (1995). Wood-hoopoe Willie. Illustrated by K. Roundtree. Watertown, MA: Charlesbridge. (K-3)

Willie longs to express his musical talent with instruments created by his African ancestors such as guedras, ecasas, atumpan, and dundun drums, and he gets his opportunity at the Kwanzaa festival. (amazon.com)

Kurtz, J. (2000). Faraway home. Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. New York: Harcourt Brace. (K-3)

From a Coretta Scott King Honor-winning artist, a powerful portrait of a contemporary American immigrant family. As her father prepares for a trip back to his childhood home in Ethiopia, Desta begins to worry. Where does her father truly belong-in the village of his youth or here in America with her? What was growing up in Ethiopia like? And will her father’s love for his family be enough to bridge these two worlds and bring him back to her? (amazon.com)

Lorbiecki, M. (1998). Sister Anne’s hands. Illustrated by W. Popp. NewYork: Dial Books for Young Readers. (K-3)

Based on the author's own childhood experiences, this poignant story tells of a black nun in the early 1960s and the lessons she imparts about the virtue of tolerance. (amazon. com)

McKissack, P. C. (2003). Tippy Lemmey. Illustrated by S. Keeler. New York: Aladdin. (K-3)

Tippy Lemmey is no ordinary dog. Not only is he the only dog Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie have ever met with a first and a last name, he’s a living, breathing monster! When they ride their bikes, he chases them, snapping at their heels. When they run, he runs. If they cross the street, he follows. There’s no getting away from him -- over him or under him. He’s their number one enemy. Leandra, Paul, and Jeannie try to come up with a plan to stop Tippy Lemmey, but nothing works. But then Tippy does something totally unexpected, and the kids realize that maybe he’s not their enemy after all. (amazon.com)

Miles, C. (1996). Calvin’s Christmas wish. Illustrated by D. Johnson. New York: Puffin Books. (K-3)

Calvin dreams of getting a bike for Christmas, but when his friend, W.C., tells him there is no Santa Claus, he begins to doubt his dreams will come true. (amazon.com)

Mollel, T. M. (1999). My rows and piles of coins. Illustrated by E. B. Lewis. New York: Clarion Books. (K-3)

A Tanzanian boy saves coins to buy a bicycle so he can help his parents carry goods to market. Then he discovers in spite of all he has saved, he does not have enough money. Glowing watercolor images capture the warmth and strength of a young boy’s giving heart. (Borders.com)

Monk, I. (1999). Hope. Illustrated by J. L. Porter. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner. (K-3)

After someone asks whether she’s ''mixed”, second-grader Hope, a biracial child, wonders what that means. Her great aunt assures her that as the child of a white father and an African-American mother, she represents ''generations of faith 'mixed' with lots of love”. While the story is somewhat contrived, it’s well told, and the illustrations, with their fluid, rounded shapes, are a dynamic accompaniment. (Horn Book, 1999)

Nikola-Lisa, W. (1995). Bein’ with you this way. Illustrated by M. Bryant. New York: Lee and Low. (K-3)

An African American girl visits the park and rounds up a group of her friends for an afternoon of fun and playground games. The children discover that despite their physical differences, they are all really the same. (amazon.com)

Oppenheim, S. L. (1996). Fireflies for Nathan. Illustrated by J. Ward. New York