This authoritative yet readable book is one of the classics of african american history generally. These books on this list are considered some of the best books on american history and many of them are bestsellers. Here are some great books for you and your kids to read for black history month 2020. We asked editors and bloggers of black perspectives to select the best books published in 2018 on black history, and they delivered. February is black history month, a time when communities and schools give special attention to learning about the contributions and history of african americans. The ten best history books of 2019 history smithsonian. In 1953, invisible man was awarded the national book award, making ellison the first africanamerican author to receive the prestigious honor for fiction. Their eyes were watching god by zora neale hurston.
There are tons of great ways to celebrate black history month parades, movie marathons, trips to the museums but for the book nerds its. What are some great books on africanamerican history. The black panther party and the fight against medical discrimination by alondra. The lively illustrations invite kids to deedledibop. He also published a number of books dealing with african and africanamerican history. Best books on african american studies nonfiction 168 books. In addition, 28 days can also be read to younger children.
Brooks became the first african american to receive the pulitzer prize for this book. From as early as nineteenthcentury african american opera star thomas bowers. What began as national negro history week in 1926 by carter g. Still, with so many options at ones disposal, deciding on a title can prove difficult. The autobiography of malcolm x by malcolm x, the souls of black folk by w. We can start with the amazing accomplishments of many amazing african american men and women besse smith, william. Get started with these seven books to help you understand american history. Our 10 top childrens books for black history month are paired with teaching guides to help you explain each story and engage students in learning about slavery, civil rights. Five african americans forgotten in history biography. Share stories of african americans that will deepen childrens understanding of history and social issues. Black history month is an annual celebration of achievements by african americans and a time for recognizing the central role of blacks in u. But of books specifically devoted to african american. Learning about history also helps children better understand the present and work for a.
The dark history of medical experimentation on black americans from colonial times to the present by. The smallest school child to the oldest adult can rattle off. Im embarrassed to say i havent actually read that many. We asked historians to recommend books to read this black history month, from beloved classics to littleknown treasures. Five great books on african american evangelical history. Discover the best african american history in best sellers. Popular african history books showing 150 of 2,430 king leopolds ghost kindle edition. For black history month, an annual opportunity to reflect on progress and power, time asked scholars of africanamerican history to name the. African american history, african americans, books. African american and italian cultures have been intertwined for more than a hundred years. African americans have at various times in united states history been referred to as african, colored, negro, afroamerican, and black, as well as african american. He introduced the idea of negro history into the mainstream of the culture in 1926 by starting negro history week, which became black history month in 1976. It includes texts on the most important topics in human history and has works of womens history, political history, diplomatic history, social history, cultural history, economic history, intellectual history, micro history, sexual.
Favorite books for black history month reading rockets. John hope franklin is considered one of americas foremost african. The best books on african american history five books expert. Weve gathered some great resources you can share with kids in your classrooms and at home in february and throughout the year. A peoples history of the united states by howard zinn. Exactly what portion of the african american population is of solely african ancestry is not known. Looking for great books about the african american experience. The 18 best black books of all time for black history. In that spirit, i wanted to offer a list of five great books on african american evangelical history. I dont think it belongs on this list because its all about south africa and written by a south african. Highlighting the contributions of mostly african american, but also.
The book is about the belgian colonization of the congo and how it came about, and the international human rights movement that arose as a result of news of belgian. Check out this extraordinary list of great books from 2018 that offer varied historical perspectives on the black experience in the united states and across the globe. February marks black history month, a tribute to africanamerican men and women who have made significant contributions to america and the rest of the world in the fields of science, politics, law. Im currently in the process of reading king leopolds ghost, by adam hochschild.
Most of the books are for kids ages 10 and up, but i also included an acclaimed anthology of africanamerican folktales that can be read aloud to younger children. The following are some of our favorite books for black history month and all year long. Ive created a list of superb chapter books for black history month. Incidents in the life of a slave girl this slave narrative by harriet ann jacobs was originally published in 1861 just as the american civil war began. American history resonates with the names of great african american men and women. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Music and dance are great themes to explore with little kids during black history month. There has never been a better time than right now to be a reader of african literature, especially in the united states historically, an underdeveloped nation in this regard. Listed are some of the most important history books ever written, as recommended by some of the most eminent historians working today. Some describe our different histories while others show the joys and challenges that are shared by children of all colors as they learn and grow.
Although the united states and the american colonization society helped form and sometimes. The 100 best history books of all time list contains a mixture of the most rewarding history books ever written. Twentyeight moments revealed in poetry, wellknown quotes, and more and rich. The best history books five books expert recommendations. This slave narrative by harriet ann jacobs was originally. Africanamerican history is the part of american history that looks at the history of african americans or black americans of the 10.
Annie allen is a collection of poems that follows the life of the author from childhood to womanhood surrounded by poverty, racial discrimination, parental expectations, and unhappiness. If youre looking for something new to read, start here and continue to explore the rich history of africanamericans books this month and. Preschoolers will love this toetapping, fingersnapping tribute to africanamerican jazz giants, set to the rhythm of the classic childrens song this old man. Compelling africanamerican history books for children. A history of the black national anthem by imani perry. Books of interest to african americans and people of color. Today is the first day of black history month, which is a good time to think about the the rich body of classic africanamerican books, old and. From literary icons to fresh, buzzworthy talent, here are 25 great books by africanamerican authors you should add to your reading list today. I dont think it belongs on this list because its all about south africa and written. The award made her the first black woman in the history of american journalism to win a pulitzer prize and the first african american to win for individual reporting. In this intergenerational collection of poetry by new and established african american writers, fatherhood. Black history month is a great time to crack open a new book and learn about all the important figures and stories that impacted history.
Over the past 300 and more years in the united states, considerable racial. Check out this extraordinary list of great books from 2018 that offer varied. Woodson in hopes of raising awareness of african americans contributions to civilization, this was later expanded to a full month, african american history month, in 1976. What are some great books on african history pre and post. The invisible institution in the antebellum south revised ed. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black america in the first half of the twentieth century. In addition, ive used many of these books in my research for this site so i can personally recommend them as some of the best books on american history. Whether youre traveling on vacation, sunbathing on the beach, or simply lounging in the park, nothing beats a good book in the summertime. Every child should learn about africanamerican history, for it is the history of all of us, no matter what our skin color. Most are from a christian perspective biographies, devotionals, bibles, childrens books, urban christian fiction.
On this list of essential books for black history month, youll likely find some classics you know and love. For black history month, an annual opportunity to reflect on progress and power, time asked scholars of africanamerican history to name the books theyd recommend to help readers better. The 18 best black books of all time for black history month black. She won the george polk award for her coverage of the midwest and a john simon guggenheim fellowship for.
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