February is Black History Month, and there is no shortage of great literature to help celebrate. While it’s important to celebrate black history all year long, February gives us a dedicated time to explore the contributions of people whose stories aren’t always told. Take a look at our favorite books that explore the lives and accomplishments of famous black Americans.
Our Favorite Books
February 1: Happy birthday, Langston Hughes! Celebrate this notable leader of the Harlem Renaissance by reading That is My Dream, a picture book of Hughes’ poem “Dream Variation.”
February 2: Happy birthday, Raven Wilkinson! Learn about this ballet dancer’s amazing life by reading Trailblazer.
February 3: On this day in 1967, musician Jimi Hendrix recorded his famous song Purple Haze. Our favorite book about Hendrix is Jimi Sounds Like a Rainbow: A Story of the Young Jimi Hendrix.
February 4: Happy birthday to Rosa Parks, the civil rights activist known for not giving up her seat on a bus. There are countless books on this influential woman, but our recommendation is Rosa.
February 5: Happy birthday, Hank Aaron! Learn more about this famous baseball player by reading Henry Aaron’s Dream.
February 6: Happy birthday, Bob Marley! Celebrate this singer and songwriter with Every Little Thing, a book written by Bob Marley himself.
February 7: On this date in 1926, Carter Woodson created Black History Week, which has grown into the month it is now! We love Carter Reads the Newspaper.
February 8: On this date in 1986, Oprah Winfrey became the first black woman to host a nationally syndicated talk show! Learn about Oprah by reading Work It, Girl: Run the Show Like a CEO: Oprah Winfrey.
February 9: On February 9 1971, athlete Satchel Paige was inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Learn more about Paige’s life with Something to Prove: The Great Satchel Paige.
February 10: Happy Birthday, Leontyne Price! Celebrate this famous soprano singer by reading Leontyne Price: Voice of a Century.
February 11: On this date in 1990, South African politician and activist Nelson Mandela was freed from prison after 27 years! Learn more with Nelson Mandela by Kadir Nelson.
February 12: On February 12, 1990, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was created. Thurgood Marshall was a major contributor to his success. We love the book Thurgood to learn about his life.
February 13: The Negro Baseball League was established on this date in 1920. Learn more about the Negro Leagues with What Were the Negro Leagues?
February 14: Celebrate Valentine’s Day with a love story! We love The Case for Loving: The Fight For Interracial Marriage.
February 15: In 1964, musician Louis Armstrong’s song “Hello Dolly” became a #1 hit! Learn more about Armstrong with Just a Lucky So and So.
February 16: Happy Birthday to American actor Levar Burton! Take a look at his iconic TV show by watching Reading Rainbow. Also read a book he wrote called The Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm.
February 17: Happy birthday, Michael Jordan! Celebrate this famous basketball player by reading Salt in His Shoes: Michael Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream.
February 18: Happy birthday to the celebrated author Toni Morrison! Enjoy reading Peeny Butter Fudge, written by Morrison herself!
February 19: On this date in 1942, the Tuskegee Airmen were initiated. Who were the Tuskegee Airmen? Learn about them with Who Were the Tuskegee Airmen?
February 20: Frederick Douglass died on this date in 1895. Learn about all of his contributions to the abolitionist movement with Bread for Words: A Frederick Douglass Story.
February 21: Happy birthday, Nina Simone! Read all about this musician and activist’s life with Nina: Jazz Icon and Civil Rights Activist Nina Simone.
February 22: Happy birthday, Horace Pippin! Celebrate this famous artist by reading A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin.
February 23: Learn about famous people and events throughout Black History with ABCs of Black History!
February 24: Mathematician Katherine Johnson died on this date in 2020. Learn about her remarkable life with Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13.
February 25: On this date in 1964, renowned boxer Muhummad Ali defeated Sony Liston. Read all about Ali in Muhummad Ali: A Champion is Born.
February 26: On this date in 1869, Congress passed the 15th Amendment, which gave black people the right to vote. Learn about the significance of this event in Lillian’s Right to Vote.
February 27: Happy birthday to singer Marian Anderson! Read all about her life in When Marian Sang.
February 28: On this date in 1984, the King of Pop Michael Jackson won 8 Grammy Awards! Learn all about his life and celebrate the final day of Black History Month by reading Who Was Michael Jackson?
Are you looking for books for your middle school or high school-aged child? Look no further than this list of 44 YA (Young Adult) Books to Read cDuring Black History Month. Added bonus? These books are not just for teens and tweens; they’re great reads for adults as well!
Every editorial product is independently selected, though we may be compensated or receive an affiliate commission if you buy something through our links.
Talking Points
Black History Month can offer great learning opportunities for your child, and these books can help you get the conversation started. Use these talking points to start a thoughtful discussion about what we can learn from the lives and accomplishments of notable black Americans!
- “Let’s think about some of the famous black athletes we read about: Michael Jordan, Satchel Paige, and Hank Aaron. What was something they all had in common?”
- “How do you think the musicians we read about influenced American history? Why is it important that Marian Anderson, Louis Armstrong, and Jimi Hendrix were all black Americans?”
- “What do you think should make someone famous? What are some of the things that Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King, Jr. took a stand for?”
