Books on this year’s Black History Month book list take us back to West Africa and into contemporary schoolrooms. They introduce us to Black journalists, politicians, and artists. They help answer the question “How do we teach such a painful history?” And they overflow with love, respect, and gratitude for Black lives.

Join us during this month to celebrate Black History with a special book for you and your young reader. These titles promise to provide insight into our history and inspire our future. Happy reading!

Jacqueline Woodson and Leo Espinosa

Two children’s book superstars—#1 New York Times bestseller Jacqueline Woodson, the author of The Day You Begin, and Leo Espinosa, the illustrator of Islandborn­—join forces to celebrate the joy and freedom of summer in the city, which is gloriously captured in their rhythmic text and lively art.

It's getting hot outside, hot enough to turn on the hydrants and run through the water--and that means it's finally summer in the city! Released from school and reveling in their freedom, the kids on one Brooklyn block take advantage of everything summertime has to offer: Freedom from morning till night to go out to meet their friends and make the streets their playground--jumping double Dutch, playing tag and hide-and-seek, building forts, chasing ice cream trucks, and best of all, believing anything is possible. That is, till their moms call them home for dinner. But not to worry--they know there is always tomorrow to do it all over again--because the block belongs to them and they rule their world.

This book is also available in Spanish, as El mundo era nuestro!

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