Compelling Books for Tweens Exploring Black History

Civil rights history is American history, as these books show, with heroes like Frederick Douglas and Martin Luther King Jr. blazing a trail to freedom and equal protection under the law for all. Courageous stories of African American men, women, and kids who stood up for justice and overcame prejudice to excel in their fields will inspire kids and help them understand the legacy of slavery and segregation. For more exciting historical reads, check out our Civil Rights Books and Award-Winning African American Books lists.

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Freewater Poster Image
BOOK

Freewater

age 9+

Siblings escape slavery, find a home in awe-inspiring tale.

By: Amina Luqman-Dawson (2022)
Martin Rising: Requiem for a King Poster Image
BOOK

Martin Rising: Requiem for a King

age 9+

Powerful poems examine the final months of MLK's life.

This Is Your Time Poster Image
BOOK

This Is Your Time

age 9+

Powerful true tale of girl who desegregated school in 1960.

By: Ruby Bridges (2020)
African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History Poster Image
BOOK

African Icons: Ten People Who Shaped History

age 10+

Illuminating profiles, vivid images reveal nuanced history.

By: Tracey Baptiste (2021)
Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers Poster Image
BOOK

Becoming: Adapted for Young Readers

age 10+

Candid and inspiring memoir from a former First Lady.

By: Michelle Obama (2021)
Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court Poster Image
BOOK

Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court

age 10+

Thoughtful memoir by basketball star and civil rights icon.

Becoming Muhammad Ali Poster Image
BOOK

Becoming Muhammad Ali

age 10+

Lyrical novel traces childhood, evolution of sports legend.

Call Him Jack book cover
BOOK

Call Him Jack: The Story of Jackie Robinson, Black Freedom Fighter

age 10+

Inspiring biography of the sports and civil rights pioneer.

Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man Poster Image
BOOK

Facing Frederick: The Life of Frederick Douglass, a Monumental American Man

age 10+

Compelling, fact-filled bio of the abolitionist icon.

By: Tonya Bolden (2018)
The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World Poster Image
BOOK

The Fierce 44: Black Americans Who Shook Up the World

age 10+

Inspiring profiles of black Americans in history and today.

The Legacy of Jim Crow book cover
BOOK

The Legacy of Jim Crow

age 10+

Illuminating intro to historical roots of U.S. racism.

By: Clarence A. Haynes (2022)
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance Poster Image
BOOK

Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance

age 10+

Powerful poems celebrate a generation of Black women poets.

By: Nikki Grimes (2021)
Lifting As We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box Poster Image
BOOK

Lifting As We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box

age 10+

Powerful history of Black women fighting for the vote.

By: Evette Dionne (2020)
Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematican Katherine Johnson Poster Image
BOOK

Reaching for the Moon: The Autobiography of NASA Mathematican Katherine Johnson

age 10+

Must-read true story of trailblazing NASA mathematician.

By: Katherine Johnson (2019)
Resistance Stories from Black History for Kids book cover
BOOK

Resistance Stories from Black History for Kids: Inspiring People and Events That Every Kid Should Know

age 10+

Compelling stories celebrate Black resistance, liberation.

By: Rann Miller (2023)
Streetcar to Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won the Right to Ride in New York Poster Image
BOOK

Streetcar to Justice: How Elizabeth Jennings Won the Right to Ride in New York

age 10+

Inspiring story of resisting segregation in 1850s New York.

By: Amy Hill Hearth (2018)
This Promise of Change: One Girl's Story in the Fight for School Equality Poster Image
BOOK

This Promise of Change: One Girl's Story in the Fight for School Equality

age 10+

Compelling, inspiring memoir of integrating Southern school.