Since 1976 we have celebrated Black History Month every February. The month of February was chosen by historian, educator and NAACP leader, Carter G. Woodson, in honor of the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who both fought for the freedom of American slaves. Woodson originated the idea in 1926, when black history was celebrated for one week each February; fifty years later it was expanded to the full month which we now celebrate.
Browse the Black History Month Reading List for picture books, chapter books, nonfiction books and biographies, appropriate for children and tweens. Or, stop by the Children's Department during the month of February and check out our Black History Month display, which includes books on everything from The Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement, to famous African-American athletes, musicians, authors and activists, plus fictional titles such as Faith Ringgold's picture book, Tar Beach, and Ellen Levine's picture book, Henry's Freedom Box, and chapter books by Christopher Curtis, Angela Johnson, Walter Dean Myers & Jacqueline Woodson.