Book List - Black History Month

I did this Book List last year as well.  It's Black History Month in the US (and some other countries) so in honor of that here is a new list of books with black authors and/or prominent black characters.  Like always, books I have personally read are marked with an *.  Also this list will be updated over the course of the month.

Pre-K and Kindergarten
* The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats (1963 Caldecott Medal winner. The beautifully illustrated story of a  boy playing in a snow draped city.  This book is one of the first popular children's books to focus on a black child.)

Grades 1 - 2
Max Found Two Sticks by Brian Pinkey ( Max doesn't like talking much, so he uses his drunk sticks (twigs) to make music that expresses his feelings.)

Grades 3 - 5
J.T. by Jane Wagner (J.T's a kid on a bad track, until he befriends an injured cat and learns how to express the love he has a hard time showing other humans.)

Young Adult
* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (Various characters in this book and series are people of color.  However, often the race isn't explicitness mentioned but implied through comments about hair type, eyes, and skin shade.  Some people see Katniss as mixed race. Read my review.)

* The Demon's Surrender by Sarah Rees Brennan (The last book in the Demon's Lexicon series is told from the perspective of Sin, a bi-racial demon dancer

Mildred B Taylor (Especially famous for her Logan family books, about a black sharcropping family in the deep south right from the 1930s to the Civil Rights movement.  Some of her books are young adult, such as The Road to Memphis and Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry others, like Mississippi Bridgeand The Friendship are appropriate for Grades 3 and up.)
Walter Dean Myers ( Preeminent writer for children and young adults.  Writes fiction, nonfiction and poetry.  Famous books include Monster,Scorpions, Hoops, 145th Street: Short Stories, The Blues of Flat Town and Countless others.)

Book List - Black History Month

In honor of Black History Month here is a list of books written by black authors or that have prominent black characters.  This list includes books for all ages.  Books, I've read myself and can personally recommend will be noted with a *.  The other books have been recommended by friends or co-workers.  This post will be updated several times over the month of February.

Pre-K and Kindergarten
In Daddy's Arms I Am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers by Javaka Steptoe (A collection of poems by various authors.  Won the Coretta Scott King Award.  Also appropriate for older children)

Grades 1 - 2
Dave the Potter: Artist, Poet, Slave  by Laban Carrick Hill ( A biography about a famous potter and slave, also appropriate for younger children)

Grades 3 - 5
* Bud Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (Won Coretta Scott King Award. It's the 1930s and Bud Caldwell is on the run from his abusive foster home.  Bud gets the idea that his father is a famous bassist and goes in search of him)
Jackie and Me by Dan Gutman (Boy travels back in time to meet Jackie Robinson)
* Year of the Boar and Jackie Robinson by Bette Bao Lord (The year is 1947. Bandit, now Shirley, has just traveled from China to America.  Baseball hero Jackie Robinson helps Shirley make a place for herself)

Yound Adult
* Liar by Justine Larbalestier (Biracial Micah is 17, might have special powers, and is an uncontrolable liar.  This causes problems when her boyfriend Zach ends up dead and the police think she might be involved)

Authors
Bryan Collier (A children's author and illustrator. His work includes biographies of Barack Obama, John Lennon, Rosa Parks, Dave the Potter, and Mohammed Ali)
Mildred B Taylor (Especially famous for her Logan family books, about a black sharcropping family in the deep south right from the 1930s to the Civil Rights movement.  Some of her books are young adult, such as The Road to Memphis and Roll of Thunder Hear my Cry others, like Mississippi Bridge and The Friendship are appropriate for Grades 3 and up.)
Walter Dean Myers ( Preeminent writer for children and young adults.  Writes fiction, nonfiction and poetry.  Famous books include Monster, Scorpions, Hoops, 145th Street: Short Stories, The Blues of Flat Town and Countless others.)