Every story carries a history — and every reader brings their own. Black History Month is a time to listen closely to stories that reflect Black lives, past and present, and the many ways they continue to shape our communities.
These books and films offer moments of joy, reflection and creativity for readers of all ages. Some titles are arriving soon at Anythink Libraries, so put them on hold now and be one of the first to experience these powerful stories when they hit the shelves.
Adult Fiction
These novels span genres, from speculative fiction and romance to mystery and historical storytelling, all centered on richly drawn Black lives:
- An Arcane Inheritance by Kamilah Cole
- Janae Sanders’ Second Time Around by LaQuette
- Dead First by Johnny Compton
- The Mysterious Death of Junetta Plum by Valerie Wilson Wesley
- The Starseekers by Nicole Glover
- The People’s Library by Veronica G. Henry
- The Seven Daughters of Dupree by Nikesha Elise Williams
- Fire Sword and Sea by Vanessa Riley
- Sparks Fly by Zakiya N. Jamal
- Behind These Four Walls by Yasmin Angoe
Adult Nonfiction
Deepen your understanding through history, biography, culture and reflection:
- On Morrison by Namwali Serpell
- A Black Queer History of the United States by C. Riley Snorton and Darius Bost
- Forgotten Souls by Cheryl W. Thompson
- When Trees Testify by Beronda L. Montgomery
- U.S. Civil Rights Trail by Deborah D. Douglas
- Stand by Cory Booker
- Nonviolent by James Lawson
- Kings and Pawns by Howard Bryant
- The War Within a War by Wil Haygood
- I’ll Make Me a World by Jarvis R. Givens
- A High Price for Freedom by Clyde W. Ford
- Language as Liberation by Toni Morrison
- Black-Owned by Char Adams
- The Look by Michelle Obama
For Teens
Stories for young adults explore identity, justice, friendship and love:
- Black History Is Your History by Taylor Cassidy
- The Black Friend: On Being a Better White Person by Frederick Joseph
- All Boys Aren’t Blue by George M. Johnson
- The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté
- The Leaving Room by Amber McBride
- Twenty-Four Seconds from Now by Jason Reynolds
- Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson
- Blood at the Root by LaDarrion Williams
- Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé
- Dear Martin by Nic Stone
- Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
- Promise Boys by Nick Brooks
Chapter Books & Graphic Novels
Perfect for middle-grade readers ready for humor, heart and adventure:
- Ghost Boys: The Graphic Novel by Jewell Parker Rhodes
- One Crazy Summer: The Graphic Novel by Rita Williams-Garcia
- Curlfriends: New in Town by Sharee Miller
- Class ACT by Jerry Craft
- Black Star by Kwame Alexander
- The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrik Barnes
- Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds
- The Mighty Macy by Kwame Alexander
Picture Books & Kids Nonfiction
These books celebrate Black history, imagination and everyday moments, perfect for sharing together:
- We Dream a World by Yolanda Renee King
- Timelines from Black History
- An American Story by Kwame Alexander
- Be a King by Carole Boston Weatherford
- The ABCs of Black History by Rio Cortez
- Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature by Lesa Cline-Ransome
- The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah-Jones and Renée Watson
- The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander
- Crowning Glory by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Greatness by Regis Bethencourt
- My Daddy Is a Cowboy by Stephanie Seales
- Big by Vashti Harrison
- Family Feast! by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Saturday Morning at the ’Shop by Keisha Morris
- Rap It Up! by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Brown Girl, Brown Girl by Leslé Honoré
Movies to Watch
Explore Black history, culture and creativity through these powerful films:
- I Am Not Your Negro
- Muhammad Ali
- Strange Fruit
- Selma
- The New Black
- All the Difference
- Marshall
- Ida B. Wells: A Passion for Justice
- For more movies, check out Kanopy’s Black History Month Collection.
Black history is American history — and these stories remind us that it’s also deeply personal, joyful and ongoing. Visit your local Anythink library or explore online to find these titles and more. However you choose to engage this month, we invite you to listen closely and celebrate often.
