Books for Big Heroes Raising Little Ones

Curated by Tiffany White
Last Updated: July 10, 2025

1. Jacqueline Woodson

   • Brown Girl Dreaming A memoir in verse capturing Woodson’s childhood and her experience growing up as a young  black girl in the 1960s and 70s.

   • The Day You Begin  A poetic picture book that celebrates diversity, courage, and the power of sharing your story.
     
     

2. Jason Reynolds

   • Stamped (For Kids) with Ibram X. Kendi (Dylan's Pick) A remix of Ibram X. Kendi’s work, making the history of racism and anti-racism accessible for younger readers. 

   • Ghost  A gripping story about a boy who joins a track team to stay out of trouble, while dealing with a traumatic past (great for teens and tweens).
     
     

3. Toni Morrison

   • The Bluest Eye  A fictional but poignant novel about a young Black girl who longs for blue eyes, exploring beauty, identity, and internalized racism.

   • Remember: The Journey to School Integration  A powerful nonfiction photo-essay chronicling the history and human cost of school desegregation in America.
     
     

4. Andrea Davis Pinkney

   • Let It Shine: Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters   Biographies of courageous Black women who fought for civil rights and paved the way for generations.
     
     

5. Kadir Nelson

   • Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans   A richly illustrated narrative history of African Americans and their contributions to America’s development.
     
     

6. Nikki Giovanni

   • Rosa (Illustrated by Bryan Collier)  A poetic retelling of Rosa Parks’ brave act of defiance that sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

   • Ego-Tripping and Other Poems for Young People  Love Love Love this! Poems that feed the soul and define the spirit
     
     

7. Matthew A. Cherry
   
   

   • Hair Love  An uplifting story of a Black father learning to style his daughter’s hair, celebrating love and identity.
     
     

8. Bryan Stevenson
   
   

   • Just Mercy (Young Reader’s Edition)  A powerful true story about justice and redemption, adapted for young readers.

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