From Black Resistance to Achievement and Empowerment New Booklist for students celebrates Black History and Culture

Danielle Sanders CNW Managing Editor

Reading Partners is a national non-profit organization that helps empower students to succeed in school and beyond by engaging community volunteers to provide proven, one-on-one literacy tutoring. Every year, they curate a booklist with must-read books written by Black authors that uplift, center, and amplify Black communities and experiences. The booklist celebrates Black history and Black culture in a meaningful and nourishing way through centering literature, dialogue, and storytelling.

This year’s booklist aligns with this year’s theme, “From Black Resistance to Achievement and Empowerment,” and highlights not only the history and struggle, but also the undeniable fortitude, traditions, voices, contributions, and joy of Black communities.

Check out the list below:

I Know I Can by Veronica Chapman

” I Know I Can!” is a beautiful children’s book that strengthens the self-esteem of everyone who reads it! ”I Know

I Can!” is the story of a courageous little girl named Faith who dreams big and has the courage to take action! While giving a speech at her high school graduation, Faith, the class valedictorian, shares her childhood dreams, and the lessons that served as the foundation for her courage.

Soul Food Sunday by Winsome Bingham

Evocatively written and vividly illustrated, this mouthwatering story is a warm celebration of tradition and coming together at a table filled with love and delicious food

Black Child, Hold Your Head High by Jasmine Walker

An important book for all ages, Black Child, Hold Your Head High educates and inspires as it beautifully illustrates and highlights historical events and figures. It features both iconic and lesser-known figures in Black history such as professional baseball player Jackie Robinson, musician Bob Marley, President Nelson Mandela, Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Astronaut/Engineer/Physician

Dr. Mae Jemison and many others.

Firebird by Misty Copeland

In her debut picture book, Misty Copeland tells the story of a young girl whose confidence is fragile and who is questioning her own ability to reach the heights that Misty has reached. Misty encourages this young girl’s faith in herself and shows her exactly how, through hard work and dedication, she too can become Firebird.

Hold Them Close: A Love Letter to Black Children by Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow

Hold Them Close is a picture book celebration of Black past, present, and future—a joyful love letter to Black children. As affirming as it is touching and warm, Hold Them Close encourages young children to hold close to their joy, the words of their ancestors and elders, as well as their power to change the world. A perfect book for shared story time, this book will inspire young people to march forth with pride, glow, and happiness.

A Door Made for Me by Tyler Merritt

Tyler Merritt presents a message of love and acceptance that will resonate with young readers and offer a starting point for conversations about racial equality between parent or caregiver and child.

The Oldest Student: How Mary Walker Learned to Read by Rita Lorraine Hubbard

From Rita Lorraine Hubbard and rising star Oge More comes the inspirational story of Mary Walker, a woman whose long life spanned from the Civil War to the Civil Rights Movement, and who--with perseverance and dedication--proved that you’re never too old to learn.

Young, Gifted and Black: Meet 52 Black Heroes from Past and Present by Jamia Wilson

Meet 52 icons of color from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement—a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire, and empower the next generation of changemakers.