Celebrate Black History Month
- 02/18/2026
- 19:26
- maureen
Black History Month is a time to honor the extraordinary legacy of Black Americans, and every great journey starts with a single step — in this case, a single page. One of the most powerful ways to understand and appreciate Black history is through literature, with stories that spark conversation and connect us across generations. This year, we invite you to explore a collection of standout books that reflect the richness of the Black experience, from intimate family sagas and the vibrant world of the Harlem Renaissance to the trailblazing leaders who shaped a nation.
Here are some standout reads that honor Black History Month
From picture books to nonfiction, here are nine titles that bring Black History Month to life for readers of all ages.
Adult Books
Cursed Daughters
Author: Oyinkan Braithwaite
Genre: Relationship Fiction
When Ebun gives birth to her daughter, Eniiyi, on the day they bury her cousin Monife, there is no denying the startling resemblance between the child and the dead woman. So begins the belief, fostered and fanned by the entire family, that Eniiyi is the actual reincarnation of Monife, fated to follow in her footsteps in all ways, including that tragic end. There is also the matter of a family curse that has been handed down from generation to generation, breaking hearts and causing three generations of abandoned Falodun women to live under the same roof. When Eniiyi falls in love with the handsome boy she saves from drowning, she can no longer run from her family’s history.
Harlem Rhapsody
Author: Victoria Christopher, Murray
Genre: Fiction
In 1919, Jessie Redmon Fauset was named literary editor of The Crisis -the first Black woman to hold this position at a preeminent Negro magazine. But she is also having a secret affair with the magazine’s founder, W. E. B. Du Bois. Despite rumors of their liaison, Jessie is determined to prove herself. The Crisis thrives…every African American writer in the country wants their work published there. When her first novel is released to great acclaim, it’s clear that Jessie is at the heart of a renaissance in Black music, theater, and the arts. She has shaped a generation of literary legends, but as she strives to preserve her legacy, she’ll discover the high cost of her unparalleled success.
Dream Count
Author: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Genre: Fiction
Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Alone in the midst of the pandemic, she recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets. Zikora, her best friend, is a lawyer who has been successful at everything until—betrayed and brokenhearted—she must turn to the person she thought she needed least. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin, is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria who begins to question how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is proudly raising her daughter in America—but faces an unthinkable hardship that threatens all she has worked to achieve.
Good Dirt
Author: Charmaine Wilkerson
Genre: Fiction
Ebby Freeman’s life unravels when her brother is killed and a centuries-old family heirloom is shattered but years later, while fleeing a public breakup, she uncovers how that lost, shattered jar may hold secrets to her future.
Black AF History: the un-whitewashed story of America
Author: Michael Harriot
Genre: Non-Fiction
The acclaimed columnist and political commentator presents a sharp and often hilarious retelling of American history that focuses on the overlooked contribution of Black Americans and corrects the idea that American history is white history.
Books for Families and Children
Coach
Author: Jason Reynolds
Genre: Fiction for ages 9-12
Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99–and his own dad–Otie is a sprinter.
One Big Open Sky
Author: Lesa Cline-Ransome
Genre: Autobiography
Told through smooth, free-flowing poetry, this story gives you a deep dive into the lives of three Black homesteaders as they journey from Mississippi to Nebraska in 1879: smart 11-year-old Lettie, her hard-working mom Sylvia, and orphaned teenage teacher Philomena. (Ages 8-12.)
Will’s Race For Home
Author: Jewell Parker Rhodes
Genre: Fiction for Ages 9-12
In 1889, a young Black family hears about a land rush, so Will and his father set out from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others on a difficult journey to where land is free.
Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race
Author: Margot Lee Shetterly, Illustrator: Laura Freeman
Genre: Nonfiction for Ages 0-8
A lavishly illustrated picture book adaptation of the inspiring story of the four brilliant mathematicians who were pivotal to the success of America’s space program, written by one of their associates, describes how they overcame the harsh limitations imposed on black women in the segregated 1960s.
Read Black stories. Honor Black history. Explore our collection of books, movies, and online resources anytime. Celebrate Black history, culture, and voices, not just this month, but all year long.
Book synopses have been curated from Novelist. What is Novelist? It is a comprehensive database and reading advisory tool available through Seymour Library. Our librarians recommend using Novelist Plus, which includes both fiction and non-fiction in its database.