Black HIstory Month Reading List
Since 1976, every United States President has designated February as Black History Month. The theme for Black History Month 2023 is “Resistance.” For centuries, Black people have used Resistance to fight oppression, slavery, Jim and Jane Crow laws, segregation, and more. To learn more about Black History Month and this year’s theme, visit https://asalh.org/black-history-themes/
The Talk: Conversations about Race, Love & Truth
Diverse collection of short stories, essays, and poems from notable writers and artists who share their personal experiences and discussions about racism, identity, and self-esteem. Features stories filled with love, acceptance, truth, and peace. Includes supplemental material. Commercial audiobook. For grades 5-8 and older readers. 2020.
Book Length: 2 hours, 10 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB101996
Four Hundred Souls: a Community History of African America, 1619-2019
A "community" history of African Americans spanning the four centuries between 1619 and 2019 that contains pieces from ninety writers, each covering the span of a few years. Each period of time is explored in a variety of ways, including essays, short stories, vignettes, and polemics. Unrated. Commercial audiobook. Bestseller. 2021.
Book Length: 14 hours, 5 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB102425
Invisible Man
Classic novel of man's search for identity. Follows a young black man from his youth in a Southern town through the depression years in Harlem, where he examines and rejects the values thrust on him by both whites and blacks.
Book Length: 17 hours, 43 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB009600
Another Country
A talented black musician, his beautiful sister, and his white friend strike out against the conventions of sex, race, and society. Violence and explicit descriptions of sex.
Book Length: 14 hours, 43 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB016421
Punching the Air
A novel in verse. Sixteen-year-old Amal's bright future is upended: he is convicted of a crime he didn't commit and sent to prison. Fighting despair and rage, Amal turns to the refuge of his words, his art. Strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2020.
Book Length: 4 hours, 32 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB102501
The Hate U Give
When sixteen-year-old Starr Carter witnesses the fatal shooting by a police officer of her childhood best friend, Khalil, she is afraid to speak out. But remaining quiet and safe is difficult with rising tensions between the police and the community. Violence and strong language. Commercial audiobook. For senior high and older readers. 2017.
Book Length: 11 hours, 43 minutes
Digital Book Number: DB101117