30 Black History Month Novels by Black Authors

Looking for engaging in-class novels or independent reading recommendations for Black History Month? These novels highlight Black history, engaging stories, and inspiring achievements. 

Using Newsela’s Novel and Book Studies Collection, you can help students build background knowledge, improve reading skills, and explore meaningful stories using Black History Month novels.

Jump to:

• Elementary Black History Month novels for young readers
• Middle school Black History Month novels for students
• High school Black History Month books and novels

[Elementary Black History Month novels for young readers](id-elementary)

Key takeaways:

• These stories focus on perseverance, family, and historical experiences.
• Selections are ideal for whole-class or independent reading.
• Newsela ELA resources provide context and learning support.

1. How does “Bud, Not Buddy” teach lessons about family and perseverance?

Christopher Paul Curtis’ historical fiction novel follows orphan Bud as he searches for his father using clues from his mother. Students can explore themes of determination, family, and history with Newsela resources like:

• A video biography of Newbery Award-winning author Christopher Curtis.
• An article on how a New Orleans public school district overturned a century-old ban on jazz music and dancing.
• Profiles of musicians like Louis Armstrong, a famous jazz trumpeter and bandleader.

Note: This novel includes themes of abandonment, loss of a parent, and implied danger from adult characters.

2. What historical insights can students gain from “Clean Getaway?”

Nic Stone’s novel follows Scoob and his grandmother on a road trip across the American South. Students can connect the story to history and personal growth using Newsela ELA resources like:

• A video biography about author Nic Stone.
• An article about what a Green Book was and how it helped Black people travel in the South.
• Profiles on civil rights leaders like Medgar Evers and Ruby Bridges.

3. How does “The Crossover” explore family, sports, and personal growth?

Kwame Alexander’s novel-in-verse follows twin brothers navigating basketball, school, and family dynamics. Students can deepen their understanding of identity, teamwork, and perseverance with Newsela ELA resources, such as:

• A video about Kwame Alexander and the success of “The Crossover.”
• An article about Somali-American teens using basketball as a way to express themselves.
• An article about Massachusetts twins who led efforts against hair discrimination.

4. How does “Hidden Figures” inspire students to explore STEM and history?

Margot Shetterly’s young readers' edition of this book highlights three women mathematicians at NASA. Students can connect to these STEM themes using resources like:

• A history of the “hidden figures” at NASA in the 1940s and 1950s.
• A biography of mathematician Katherine Johnson.
• Coverage of how the “hidden figures” received Congressional Gold Medals in 2019 for their work.

5. How does “The Mighty Miss Malone” highlight resilience during the Great Depression?

Curtis’ novel follows Deza Malone as she navigates the Great Depression in Indiana. Students can connect the story to history, culture, and perseverance using resources on topics like:

• Youth experiences in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).
• How the Chitlin’ Circuit hosted performances of talented Black performers.
• What Harlem’s Savoy Ballroom was in the 1930s.

6. What can students learn about belonging from “New Kid?”

Jerry Craft’s graphic novel follows a middle school student adjusting to a new school. Students can explore self-confidence, social interactions, and friendships using Newsela ELA resources like:

• A video reading of Clint Smith’s “Ode to the Only Black Kid in the Class.”
• An interview with Jerry Craft about the novel.
• An article on influential Black artists throughout history.

7. How does “One Crazy Summer” encourage exploration and family connection?

Rita Williams-Garcia’s historical fiction novel depicts sisters reconnecting with their mother in Oakland, California. Students can explore family, independence, and historical context using resources, such as:

• The history and importance of civil rights groups.
• Biography of civil rights leaders like Malcolm X and Stokley Carmichael.
• A discussion on why disagreements are actually healthy.

8. How does “Promises to Keep” highlight achievement and determination?

Sharon Robinson’s biography of her father shows how Jackie Robinson broke barriers in baseball. Students can connect the story to perseverance, sports, and personal achievement with resources like:

• A video about Negro League Baseball.
• A shorter biography of Jackie Robinson’s accomplishments in sports.
• An essay on the impact of sports history in American culture.

9. What can students learn from “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” about family and community?

Mildred Taylor’s historical fiction novel follows Cassie Logan as she lives her life in the American South. Students can connect to themes of family, perseverance, and history using Newsela ELA resources, like:

• A first-person account from a Black sharecropper in the 1930s.
• A video overview of southern Black history during the Great Depression.
• An article about how a Black mom highlights modern, similar experiences among parents.

Note: This novel depicts discriminatory treatment, threats toward characters, and tense situations that may be upsetting for some students.

10. How does “The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963” teach students about family and historical events?

Curtis’ novel follows Kenny Watson and his family traveling from Michigan to Alabama during the 1960s. Students can explore themes of family, resilience, and historical context using resources, like:

• An article about the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court ruling.
• A video about young civil rights advocates in Birmingham.
• A photo collection from the 1963 Birmingham Campaign.

Note: This novel includes historical violence connected to a church bombing. The event is not graphically described, but may be emotionally intense for some readers.

[Middle school Black History Month novels for students](id-middle)

Key takeaways:

• Themes in these novels include family, creativity, and personal growth.
• You can use these books for cross-curricular exploration through ELA, social studies, and science.
• Newsela ELA resources help you extend your lessons through context and discussion.

11. How does “All American Boys” explore friendship and perspective?

Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely’s novel follows two teenagers—one Black and one white—navigating coming-of-age experiences. Students can explore themes of perspective, teamwork, and personal growth using the following mini lesson:

• Watch a video biography about author Jason Reynolds.
• Learn more about Bloody Sunday, part of the march from Selma to Montgomery in the 1960s.
• Read about what the First Amendment protects and what it doesn’t.

Note: This novel includes themes of police violence, community conflict, and emotionally charged situations.

12. What lessons can students learn about leadership and personal growth from “Becoming?”

Michelle Obama’s memoir reflects on her life balancing career, family, and public service. Students can connect the story to leadership, resilience, and goal-setting with resources like:

• A profile about her time as the First Lady of the United States.
• An article on Michelle Obama’s views on educational success.
• An article about first ladies who have published memoirs of their experiences with politics.

13. How does “Before the Ever After” discuss family and sports challenges?

Jacqueline Woodson’s novel follows ZJ as he navigates changes in his family after his father’s football career ends. Students can explore family relationships, resilience, and health awareness with resources like:

• A video biography of author Jacqueline Woodson.
• An article about how Jacqueline Woodson became a national ambassador for young people’s literature.
• An article exploring how the brain disease CTE affects almost all pro football players.

14. How does “Blended” explore identity and family relationships?

Sharon M. Draper’s novel follows a biracial girl managing her parents’ divorce. Students can connect to personal growth and identity with Newsela ELA resources on topics like:

• What it’s like to grow up multiracial in different parts of the United States.
• What a social identity is and what it can look like.
• How music can be a healing and recovery tool.

15. What historical lessons does “Brown Girl Dreaming” provide?

Woodson’s memoir in verse recounts her childhood experiences of growing up Black in the 1960s and 1970s. Students can explore historical context, culture, and creativity using resources on topics like:

• Organizations of the civil rights movement.
• Jim Crow laws and the Great Migration.
• How Jacqueline Woodson brought inclusion to her role as the educator-in-residence at the Kennedy Center.

16. How does “Class Act” discuss friendship, art, and school life?

Craft’s graphic novel follows Drew as he balances passions like art with friendships and school experiences. Students can explore identity, social skills, and creative expression with articles on topics like:

• What classroom dynamics look like in the U.S. today.
• How bias begins as early as preschool.
• How schools are working to improve equity.

17. How does “Dear Martin” encourage personal reflection and writing?

Stone’s novel follows Justyce McAllister and uses letters to reflect on his coming-of-age experiences. Students can connect the story to communication, reflection, and ethical decision-making using resources like:

• Fast facts about civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.
• The text of Martin Luther King’s “Letter from Birmingham Jail.”
• An article on how King’s granddaughter is following in his footsteps.

Note: this novel includes themes of social tension, profiling, and challenging experiences for young people.

18. “Miles Morales: Spider-Man” by Jason Reynolds

Reynolds’ novel reimagines Spider-Man navigating challenges of growing up—and saving the world—in Harlem. Students can explore bravery, responsibility, and community with articles on topics like:

• How Reynolds became a National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
• Why representation in superhero movies matters.
• What dreaming is and why it might be good for us.

19. How does “Monster” explore decision-making and self-awareness?

Walter Dean Myers’ novel follows Steve Harmon as he navigates the justice system. Students can connect to themes of responsibility and identity using Newsela ELA resources like:

• A video biography about author Walter Dean Myers.
• A TED Talk about how statistics could help fight crime.
• A news article about how courts overturned rapper Meek Mill’s conviction after a decade-long probation.

Note: This novel includes themes of legal trouble, incarceration, and the emotional impact of being accused of a serious crime.

20. What roles do music and creativity play in “Solo?”

Alexander’s novel-in-verse follows Blade Morrison as he explores family, music, and self-expression. Students can expand on these themes using articles on topics like:

• A Black family of 17 who play music for the public in downtown Chicago.
• How fabric-makers in Ghana created designs to commemorate the coronavirus pandemic.
• The history and culture of Ghana.

[High school Black History Month books and novels](id-high)

Key takeaways:

• These stories focus on perseverance, creativity, and achievement.
• They’re ideal for literature, history, and cross-curricular studies.
• Newsela ELA resources connect these novels to real-world knowledge and classroom activities.

21. How does “Beloved” explore history and family legacy?

Toni Morrison’s novel examines personal decisions and family dynamics. Students can explore these topics further with Newsela ELA resources like:

• A video biography of author Toni Morrison.
• An interactive video about why you should read this novel.
• An explainer on what the genre of magical realism is.

Note: This novel includes themes of slavery, trauma, and intense emotional experiences.

22. What lessons about growth and resilience can students learn from “Born a Crime?”

Trevor Noah’s memoir recounts his childhood experiences growing up as multi-racial in South Africa. Students can explore perseverance and life lessons using articles on topics like:

• The Loving v. Virginia court case that made interracial marriage legal.
• What apartheid was in South Africa.
• A biography of South African leader Nelson Mandela.

Note: This book includes themes of family tension, systemic oppression, and difficult historical realities.

23. How does “Children of Blood and Bone” inspire creativity and imagination?

Tomi Adeyemi’s fantasy novel explores magic, family, and culture. Students can build background knowledge on these themes with articles on topics like:

• How Afrofuturism is gaining popularity in fantasy fiction.
• The history of African religions and beliefs.
• Stories of African goddesses and heroes.

24. How does “Double Dutch” teach problem-solving and determination?

Draper’s novel follows Delia, a jump rope champion, as she struggles with sports and personal challenges. Students can explore perseverance, focus, and skill-building with articles on topics like:

• How the first all-Black climbing team scaled Mount Everest.
• The ways lying can affect your brain.
• How tornadoes form and why they’re so unpredictable.

25. How does “Fences” explore family and personal responsibility?

August Wilson’s play depicts working-class Troy Maxson balancing work and family. Students can extend their knowledge of the themes and topics by using Newsela ELA resources like:

• A biography of playwright August Wilson.
• An opinion article about how Black culture thrives even during struggles.
• A news article about how housing policies can create uncomfortable living conditions.

26. How does “The Hate U Give” encourage self-expression and voice?

Angie Thomas’ novel follows Starr Carter as she explores communication and decision-making. To develop their understanding of expressing ideas, students can use Newsela ELA resources like:

• A video about how cultural pride is a form of self-love.
• A video biography of author Angie Thomas.
• An article about how a movie adaptation of the novel reflects the views of modern civil rights causes.

Note: This novel includes themes of violence, loss of life, and community conflict.

27. What can students learn from “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings?”

Maya Angelou’s memoir recounts her childhood experiences in the South. Students can explore perseverance, creativity, and self-expression using resources like:

• A video biography about author Maya Angelou.
• An article about The Great Migration of Black Americans from the South.
• A news article about how Maya Angelou became the first Black woman to appear on a U.S. quarter.

Note: This novel includes themes of childhood trauma, abuse, and emotional challenges.

28. How does “If Beale Street Could Talk” explore family and personal choices?

James Baldwin’s novel follows a young couple navigating challenges. Students can connect to themes of empathy and decision-making using Newsela ELA resources like:

• A biography of author James Baldwin.
• A video about  Baldwin’s worldviews.
• A history explainer of the 1960s.

Note: This novel includes themes of injustice, imprisonment, and family stress.

29. How does “Life in Motion: An Unlikely Ballerina” inspire ambition and dedication? 

Misty Copeland’s memoir tells the story of becoming a principal ballerina. Students can explore achievement, dedication, and creativity with articles about Copeland’s ballet career, like:

• Why her American Ballet Theatre role was so groundbreaking.
• How she felt about her role in the “Nutcracker” film.
• How she broke a color barrier in ballet and film.

30. How does “The Nickel Boys” encourage reflection and resilience?

Colson Whitehead’s novel tells the story of Elwood Curtis and his experience in a reform school. Students can connect to perseverance and decision-making using Newsela ELA resources like:

• A video biography of author Colson Whitehead.
• An article about how the history of Dozier School for Boys inspired the novel's setting.
• A news article about educational opportunities, such as scholarships, for Black youth.

Note: This novel includes themes of institutional abuse, historical trauma, and difficult moral choices.

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