African American/Black History Month,  Book Lists,  Homeschool

Over 35 of the Best African-American Read-Aloud Biographies

January 20, 2019 / 60 Comments
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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day gives us a chance to honor and remember King’s heroic work during the American Civil Rights Movement. His dedication and efforts paved the way for countless inspiring individuals, like himself, to leave their mark on American history.

It also kicks off our month long study all about African-American history. We have put together a list of our favorite African-American read-aloud biographies. Some of the books are about people that lived before Martin Luther King, Jr., and some who lived after. There are familiar faces, and some that may be new to you. They range from inventors, scientists, artists, writers, athletes, and heroes of freedom… just to name a few!

Perhaps, our list will help you get to know these remarkable people and their accomplishments.

We have put together a list of over 35 of our FAVORITE READ-ALOUD AFRICAN AMERICAN BIOGRAPHIES. 📚 There are familiar faces, and some that may be new to you. #blackhistorymonth #africanamerican #homeschool #booklist #childrensbooks #picturebook #raisingreaders #civilrightsmovement #undergroundrailroad #favoritereadalouds

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Don’t forget to check out the list of our favorite Top 30 Black History Month Picture and Chapter Books.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I Have A Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (book includes CD of his speech).

I Have A Dream by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (book includes CD of his speech).

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport.

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport.

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, III.

My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Martin Luther King, III.

. . . If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King by Ellen Levine.

. . . If You Lived at the Time of Martin Luther King by Ellen Levine.

The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting.

The Cart That Carried Martin by Eve Bunting.

Activists

Coretta Scott by Ntozake Shange. Growing up in the segregated South, Corretta knew what it felt like to be discriminated against. She wanted to do something to make sure everyone was treated equal. This book is a great way to get to know Corretta Scott King’s life and her contribution to the Civil Rights Movement.

Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine.

Henry’s Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad by Ellen Levine. Henry “Box” Brown was born a slave in Virginia. He actually had himself shipped in a wooden box from Virginia to Philadelphia, where slavery had been abolished!

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles.

The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. Ruby Bridges was the first African-American student to attend the all-white William Frantz Elementary School in Louisiana.

If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold

If A Bus Could Talk: The Story of Rosa Parks by Faith Ringgold. Rosa Louise McCauley Parks was an African-American activist during the civil rights movement. She is best known for her part in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. 

The Case For Loving: The fight for interracial marriage by Selina Alko.

The Case For Loving: The fight for interracial marriage by Selina Alko. This is the story of an interracial family who fought the unfair law against interracial marriage. The Loving’s case went all the way to the Supreme Court, where they won!

Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth by Anne Rockwell

Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth by Anne Rockwell. Sojourner Truth was an African-American abolitionist best-known for her speech on racial inequalities, “Ain’t I a Woman?”

Voice of Freedom Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford.

Voice of Freedom Fannie Lou Hamer: The Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement by Carole Boston Weatherford. Fannie Lou Hamer was a voting and women’s rights activist, leader in the civil rights movement and a community activist.

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton.

The Amazing Age of John Roy Lynch by Chris Barton. John Roy Lynch was born a slave and went on to become a Republican politician, writer, attorney and military officer.

Dear Benjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Dear Benjamin Banneker by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Benjamin Banneker  was a free African-American farmer, naturalist and almanac writer. Banneker dared to write Thomas Jefferson a letter, attacking the idea of slavery…and got a response.

Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman was born a slave. She eventually escaped and began working on the Underground Railroad. Her efforts helped about 70 people escape to freedom during her thirteen missions on the dangerous route.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome.

Before She Was Harriet by Lesa Cline-Ransome.

Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder

Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman by Alan Schroeder

Booker T. Washington

Booker T. Washington was born into slavery and as a child he dreamt of being able to read and write. As an adult he was freed following emancipation. Still wanting an education, Booker began a 500 mile journey, mostly walking, to Hampton Institute to make his dream come true. He went on to found Tuskegee University.

With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School by Suzanne Slade.

With Books and Bricks: How Booker T. Washington Built a School by Suzanne Slade.

Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim.

Fifty Cents and a Dream: Young Booker T. Washington by Jabari Asim.

Scientists/Inventors/Doctors

Wonder Horse: The True Story of the World’s Smartest Horse by Emily Arnold McCully. This is the incredible true story of a former slave and self-taught veterinarian, Bill “Doc” Key, and his horse, Jim Key. Doc believed, despite the way of thinking at the time, that animals should be taught with kindness and could be educated with patience. Doc actually teaches Jim how to read, spell and even do math! Our family was very amused by this astonishing true story and the power of kindness.

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly

Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterly. This is about four black female mathematicians (Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden) who worked at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) during the Space Race.

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helene Becker.

Counting on Katherine: How Katherine Johnson Saved Apollo 13 by Helene Becker. Katherine Johnson is an African-American mathematician whose calculations were critical to the success of the first U.S. manned spaceflights (and those that followed).

Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull.

Starstruck: The Cosmic Journey of Neil deGrasse Tyson by Kathleen Krull. Neil deGrasse Tyson is an American author, astrophysicist, and science communicator (which means he helps explain things to non-experts).

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson's Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton

Whoosh! Lonnie Johnson’s Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions by Chris Barton. Lonnie Johnson is the inventor of the Super Soaker water gun. Who doesn’t love a Super Soaker?! Johnson is an inventor and engineer who holds more than 120 patents!

The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just by Melina Mangal. Ernest Everett Just loved the sea. His study of sea creatures led him to make new discoveries about how life begins in egg cells. Many of his findings went against what most scientists thought at the time. The artwork in this book is colorful, bright and alive.

George Washington Carver

George Washington Carver was a chemist who researched crops such as peanuts and sweet potatoes. He came up with dozens of uses for peanuts, but not peanut butter as some people think. His work helped poor, southern farmers improve their diets and grow a wider variety of crops.

George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden.

George Washington Carver by Tonya Bolden.

A Picture Book of George Washington Carver by David A. Adler

A Picture Book of George Washington Carver by David A. Adler

Artists

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin by Jen Bryant. Horace Pippen is an American folk painter.

In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Alan Schroeder

In Her Hands: The Story of Sculptor Augusta Savage by Alan Schroeder. Augusta Savage was an African-American sculptor associated with the Harlem Renaissance. 

Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford

Gordon Parks: How the Photographer Captured Black and White America by Carole Boston Weatherford. Gordon Parks is a photographer, film director and author who documented African-American life.

Sports

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story by Audrey Vernick

She Loved Baseball: The Effa Manley Story by Audrey Vernick. Effa Manley was an African-American sports executive who co-owned the Newark Eagles baseball franchise with her husband.

A Picture Book of Jesse Owens by David A. Adler

A Picture Book of Jesse Owens by David A. Adler. Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the 1936 Olympic games in Berlin.

Trailblazing Women

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison. This book is filled with 40 trailblazing women who broke barriers of race and gender to pave the way for future generations. There is also a board book version available, Dream Big, Little One by Vashti Harrison.

Molly, by Golly! The Legend of Molly Williams, America's First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree

Molly, by Golly! The Legend of Molly Williams, America’s First Female Firefighter by Dianne Ochiltree. Milly Williams was the first female firefighter.

High! The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger

Fly High! The Story of Bessie Coleman by Louise Borden and Mary Kay Kroeger.  Bessie became the first African-American to earn a pilot’s license.

Bring Me Some Apples and I'll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley

Bring Me Some Apples and I’ll Make You a Pie: A Story About Edna Lewis by Robbin Gourley. Edna Lewis was an African-American chef, author, and teacher. She helped refine the American view of Southern cooking.

Musicians

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea Davis Pinkney

Ella Fitzgerald: The Tale of a Vocal Virtuosa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Sometimes referred to as the First Lady of Song and the Queen of Jazz, Ella Fitzgerald is still heard on the airwaves today.

The Lengendary Miss Lena Horne by Carole Boston Weatherford.

The Lengendary Miss Lena Horne by Carole Boston Weatherford. Lena Mary Calhoun Horne was an actress, singer, dancer, and civil rights activist.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown.

Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Katheryn Russell-Brown. Melba Doretta Liston was a jazz trombonist and composer. She was the first woman trombonist to play in big bands during the mid-20th century.

The 5 O'Clock Band by Troy "Trombone Shorty" Andrews

The 5 O’Clock Band by Troy “Trombone Shorty” Andrews. Troy Andrews is an African-American musician, best known for his trombone and trumpet playing.

Poets

Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ann Malaspina.

Phillis Sings Out Freedom: The Story of George Washington and Phillis Wheatley by Ann Malaspina. Phillis Wheatley was born in West Africa, and sold into slavery around age 7-8. She was the first published African-American female poet.

Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes by Floyd Cooper

Coming Home: From the Life of Langston Hughes by Floyd Cooper. James Mercer Langston Hughes was a poet, novelist, playwright and social activist.

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate.

Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton by Don Tate. George Moses Horton was an African-American poet from North Carolina, who actually had a book (The Hope of Liberty) published while still enslaved. Not many African American writers had their work published while still a slave.

Be sure to check out some of our other book and resource lists all about Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Winter.

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