Relates the story of the National Memorial African Bookstore, founded in Harlem by Louis Michaux in 1939, as seen from the perspective of Louis Michaux Jr., who met famous men like Muhammad Ali and Malcolm X while helping there.

A fictionalized account of how in 1849 a Virginia slave, Henry "Box" Brown, escapes to freedom by shipping himself in a wooden crate from Richmond to Philadelphia.

Illustrations and brief text portray the events of the 1963 march in Washington, D.C., where the Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. delivered a historic speech.

Kwesi doesn't know how to swim and discovers his grandmother, Nana Ruby, doesn't either, so they turn to the West African legend of Mami Wata to face their fears, in an intergenerational story about the importance of naming, acknowledging and facing fears. Endmatter includes cultural notes from West Africa.

Presents a collage-illustrated treasury of poems and spirituals inspired by the life and work of civil rights advocate Fannie Lou Hamer.

The young man known as Teach secretly learned to read, write, and use numbers growing up alongside the master's son. And although on this Southern plantation these are skills he can never flaunt, Teach doesn't keep them to himself: In the course of a week, he'll teach little ones the alphabet in the corner stall of a stable and hold a moonlit session where men scratch letters in the dirt. He'll decipher a discarded letter bearing news of Yankee soldiers and forge a pass for a woman hoping to buy precious time on a perilous journey north. And come Sunday, Teach will cross the swamp to a hidden cabin, reading aloud to the congregation God's immortal words to the pharaoh: Let my people go. An author's note highlights the vital role of literacy and education toward the securing of freedom, both historically and to the present day.

Six-time Coretta Scott King Award winner and four-time Caldecott Honor recipient Bryan Collier brings this classic, inspirational poem to life, written by poet Useni Eugene Perkins. Hey black child, Do you know who you are? Who really are? Do you know you can be? What you want to be? If you try to be. What you can be? This lyrical, empowering poem celebrates black children and seeks to inspire all young people to dream big and achieve their goals.

"The Newbery Award-winning author of The Crossover pens an ode to black American triumph and tribulation, with art from a two-time Caldecott Honoree"-- Provided by publisher.

American Ballet Theater soloist Misty Copeland encourages a young ballet student, with brown skin like her own, by telling her that she, too, had to learn basic steps and how to be graceful when she was starting out, and that some day, with practice and dedication, the little girl will become a firebird, too. Includes author's note about dancers who led her to find her voice.

In 1964, Joe is pleased that a new law will allow his best friend John Henry, who is colored, to share the town pool and other public places with him, but he is dismayed to find that prejudice still exists.

The making of "Show ways," or quilts which once served as secret maps for freedom-seeking slaves, is a tradition passed from mother to daughter in the author's family.

During the Great Migration in 1930's Louisiana, eight-year-old Jenny tries to understand why a man named Jim Crow is making trouble for her family.

A celebration of Langston Hughes and African American authors he inspired, told through the lens of the party held at the New York Public Library's Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in 1991.

In 1762, Prince Abdulrahman Sori was born in West Africa's prosperous kingdom of Futa Jallon. His name meant "servant of God," and as a child, he was fascinated by the stories of the great prophets Moses, Jesus, and Muhammad. Each had faced great challenges, and each had accepted their fate as determined by God, no matter how difficult. Always curious, Abdulrahman grew up to become a scholar, fluent in five languages. He was also a warrior, a husband, a father, and an instrumental leader in his father's court. But that happy life was cruelly ripped away the day Abdulrahman and his men were ambushed while on patrol by a rival tribe and sold to English traders. Forced aboard a ship, Abdulrahman was taken across the Atlantic to Natchez, Mississippi, and enslaved. Resistant at first, Abdulrahman ran away, but ultimately, like the prophets he revered, Abdulrahman accepted his fate as determined by God. So with a heavy heart, he began a new life helping the plantation owner prosper, and after some time, though risky, Abdulrahman found love and became a father again. Then, by virtue of an incredible coincidence, Abdulrahman's life changed once more, setting into motion a series of events that would not only free Abdulrahman, but return him to African shores after forty years of enslavement.

The popular spiritual, Standing in the need of prayer, has been reworked to chronicle the milestones, struggles, tragedies, and triumphs of African American people and their history. The text and illustrations of this inspirational book are informative reminders of yesterday, hopeful images for today, and aspirational dreams of tomorrow.

A child discovers his distinguished heritage through the achievements of Black leaders from sports, entertainment, law and leadership.

A rope passed down through the generations frames an African American family's story as they journey north during the time of the Great Migration.

Set in 1865, a young girl named Lettie saves her money so she and her uncle can place an advertisement to find the members of their family that were separated under slavery.

An inspiring, life-affirming debut activist book in rhyming couplets and triplets about Black heroes for little ones, their families, and anyone who loves A is for Activist and Antiracist Baby.

Ruby Bridges was the first Black child to attend an all-white elementary school in New Orleans. She established the Ruby Bridges Foundation to promote tolerance and to create change through education. She traveled across the US, listening to the inspiring voices of young children.Dear Ruby: Hear Our Hearts is a compilation of letters from concerned young students about today's issues, including bullying, climate change, gun violence, and racism. Reading Ruby's intuitive and inspirational responses, young readers will embrace the courage to be brave, bold, and confident. Dear Ruby,My name is Olivia. Thank you for sharing your story. It made me want to be brave and stand up to make a change. You showed me to not give up when people were saying, "NO!" I bet you were scared just like me. You said that if someone or something is putting you down, you get back up. My heart heard that, and I am trying to be more like you.Sincerely,Olivia My dearest Olivia, I am so pleased you wrote to me, especially about standing up. I know all too well how scary it can be to stand up for yourself or even others. Just know it takes a courageous and brave person to stand up, even if you are afraid. It happens to us all! I am proud of you,Ruby Bridges. The students' letters and Ruby's responses are powerfully illustrated with dynamic and thought-provoking artwork by John Jay Cabuay-- Provided by publisher.

"Bianca is Keira's best friend. At school, they are inseparable. But Keira questions their friendship when she learns more about the meaning of the Confederate flag hanging from Bianca's front porch. Will the two friends be able to overlook their distinct understandings of the flag? Or will they reckon with the flag's effect on yesterday and today? In That Flag, Tameka Fryer Brown and Nikkolas Smith graciously tackle the issues of racism, the value of friendship, and the importance of understanding history so that we move forward together in a thought-provoking, stirring, yet ultimately tender tale"-- Provided by publisher.

"Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, hilarious comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to a trailblazer of the civil rights movement. The fourth book in an exciting nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Martin Luther King Jr. focuses on Martin's lifelong mission to ensure that African Americans gained their constitutional rights"-- Provided by publisher. "Make way for Martin Luther King, Jr.!It's Martin Luther King, Jr., like you've never seen him before!Using a unique mix of first-person narrative, hilarious comic panels, and essential facts, Dean Robbins introduces young readers to a trailblazer of the civil rights movement. The fourth book in an exciting nonfiction series, You Are a Star, Martin Luther King, Jr. focuses on Martin's lifelong mission to ensure that African Americans gained their constitutional rights.Anastasia Magloire Williams' spot-on comic illustrations bring this icon to life, and engaging back matter instructs readers on how to be more like Martin!"-- Provided by publisher.

From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people's struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a story that needs to be told and understood by all of us. A testament to the resilience of the African American community, this book honors what has been and envisions what is to be.