The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom This is an Oh Wow! story. An innocent Irish girl, who's family died on the ship to America, has no one so she becomes an servant. The slaves take her in as family. And then she grows up. THe world of men in a time of the 1800s has no room for women to make their own choices. She has some bad encounters with men, misinformation and then the plantation owner son marries her. Things go really bad and dangerous choices must be made. Oh boy!

Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert

Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre by Brandy Colbert Trajedy in history, cost so many people their lives because of racial terrorism and jealousy. Go back in time on this well researched book and discover a history that has finally come to light to the rest of the world. Yes, add this to all high school libraries.

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi

Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi Wow! This book takes you on a young girl's journey as she looks for truth, her own identity and being a teenager. Her father is the leader of a Black movement and she's involved with it. Her mother is missing and she's been taking care of her baby brother. There are many people who live in her house. She just wants her mother and is desperate to look for her. She also wants to go to a school that her mother wanted her to attend against her father's wishes. Fine for high school.

James by Percival Everett

James is a smart story that represents Jim from Huckleberry Finn. Jim is a smart man who is running away from slavery. Huck teams up with Jim by chance and together travel meeting dangerous people and dangerous situations. Percival Everett knows how to write a story. This is a good one. The audio book also very good.

The Black Girl Survives in This One Desiree S. Evans (Editor) , Saraciea J. Fennell (Editor) , Brittney Morris (Contributor)

The Black Girl Survives in This One is a very smart collection of short stories. I plan on adding this one to my high school library. A good read. Enjoy.

Black Star by Kwame Alexander

Black Star takes us back in time when things were unkind and unfair toward black people. A good book to add to any children and middle school library. Audiobook also very good. Add this one to your library.

The Girl Who Fell from the Sky by Heidi W. Durrow

The Girl Who Fell From the Sky is a good story but not at a teen level. FYI there are some negative words and some dangerous situations. Rachel is found with her mother and siblings after fallen from the roof of an apartment. The story is told in multiple viewpoints. We watch her grow up to be a young teen. She's light skinned, blue eyes and is targeted because of her different looks. Find out what happened to cause a family to come to a tragic ending and with one survivor. A good read and a good audiobook.

Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert

Black Birds in the Sky by Brandy Colbert is a nonfiction book leading up to a horrible event that killed so many. I listened to the audiobook and it was hard to hear how terrible people can be. It's an important book to add to high school libraries.

The Heaven And Earth Grocery Store by James McBride

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, starts off with a skeleton found buried deep and takes us on a journey of a community of Jewish and Black community that are deeply connected by a Jewish woman who is kind but also fierce. A young orphan deaf boy is taken in by her because a dangerous group of people thinks he should be in an institution. He gets caught and the community rallys to help him escape. The journey in this book has many layers andthe character depth is well done. The audiobook also good. A great read for adults.

The Davenports by Krystal Marquis

The Davenports lived in the time of the 1900s. It's mainly the story of two black affluent families and one family maid who have dreams and desire. It turns out their dreams don't match the parents. Loosly based on a real person. There is a lot of affectionate demonstrations between young lovers. Basically PG affections. Will the young people follow their dreams or their parents dreams? Read or listen and find out.

Dream Builder Philip Freelon by Lyons & Freeman

 This picture book is about the man who designed the African American History and Culture.  I have this in my high school library.  I am looking forward to visiting this museum some day.  

Run by John Lewis and company

 Based on the life of Senator John Lewis.  John Lewis has passed on.  His life's work still stands.  

This graphic novel started with a trio of graphic novels called March.  Run continues the story.  Add this one to your high school library.

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander & Kadir Nelson

 Amazing paintings that connect with a powerful poem.  Award winning.  The story that carries out different generations of black lives through the years.  Starting from Slavery to now.  Add this one to your school libraries.

So Many Beginnings by Bethany C Morrow

 It's a good story to add to school library.  Told in the perspective of former slaves now free.  How they were part of a group of people to build a free town in the north.  A good read.

Shirley Chisholm Is A Verb! By Chambers & Baker

 This is a good book to add to any library shelf.  It's important to have positive role leaders in libraries and this one fits the bill.  Though it is a picture book, readers can quickly learn facts and information about Shirley Chisholm.  A good read.

The People Remember by Zoboi & Wise

 I would add this to my high school library.   A beautiful book to connect readers to history and community.  

Whistling Past the Graveyard by Susan Crandall

 I loved watching how each of the main characters grow.  Innocent Starla faces the harsh world of unkindness and unfair and learns about the darker side of life.  Meanwhile, Eula grows to learn that there is good in the world and that she has her own life that she can live.  She has seen the dark side of life but now, she has the opportunity to see the light.  A good read.

Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy by Gary D. Schmidt

Do you do what is right or do you do what everyone wants you to do?  Turner keeps getting into trouble even though he really hasn't done anything.  His father is working on trying to fit in the community but learns later on a lot of from his son. 

This story is partially factual but mashed in with fiction.  Gary D. Schmidt is a true story teller and assembles the words in a powerful way.  An excellent read.  Add this one to your school library.
 

Shuri The Vanished by Nic Stone

 I liked it.  If you have students who like super hero stories, add this one to your school library.  A strong intelligent young woman who investigates on her own a mystery.  Good read.

Turning 15 On The Road to Freedom by Lowery, Leecock and Buckley

 Add this one to your children's library.  A good book that teens will see what other teens can do under difficult times.  Our hero of the story is a brave teen who takes a stand.  This is her story that she share what she has experienced.  A good read and an important read.  See the march for Civil Rights in the eyes of a young teen girl.