28 THE QUEENS COURIER • KIDS & EDUCATION • FEBRUARY 24, 2022 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
28 k TiHdE QsU E&EN Se CdOUuRIcERa • tFEiBoRUnARY 24, 2022 FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM
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The best kids books to read during Black History Month
BY COURTNEY INGALLS
1950s many African Americans couldn’t
“Turning 15 on the Road
editorial@qns.com
aff ord one. During her adventure, however,
to Freedom,” by Lynda
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she realized that African Americans
Blackmon Lowery
weren’t welcome in some towns. Although
Lynda Blackmon Lowery became the
As we continue to celebrate Black
this story is fi ction, this novel shows the
youngest marcher in the 1965 Voting
History Month, it is important that kids
struggles many African Americans faced
Rights March and continued to show that
start to learn more about Black history
during this time and how they were able
even young people can make a diff erence.
and culture, and the best way to do
to overcome it with the help of some
Th is memoir brings you through Lowery’s
that is through reading! Whether you are
friendly people. Ages 7-11.
life as she fought alongside Martin Luther
looking for early reader options or books
King Dr. in the fi ght toward civil rights.
for young adults, we have a list of some
“The ABCs of Black
Ages 12-17.
stories that are both a great read and
History,” by Rio Cortez
educational.
“Th e ABCs of Black History.” goes letter
“Woke: A Young Poet’s Call
by letter celebrating some of the monumental
to Justice,” by Mahogany L.
“Hair Love,” by Matthew
moments and people within
Browne, Elizabeth Acevedo,
A. Cherry, illustrated
Black history and culture. To teach
and Olivia Gatwood
by Vashti Harrison
your kids more about the information
If your kids are into poetry this is the
Th is New York Times Bestselling book
listed within the book, there is back
book for them. “Woke: A Young Poet’s
teaches girls how to be self-confi dent
matter included that goes into more detail
Call to Justice” is made up of a collection
while also celebrating the unique bond
regarding certain historic events, places and
of poems written by women of color
between a father and daughter. Zuri’s hair
people who were mentioned. Ages 5 and up.
that try to inspire kids to become the
has a mind of its own but she loves her
next generation of activists. Th ese poems
natural hair. When Zari’s daddy steps in
“The Story of Ruby Bridges,”
cover topics related to social justice,
to style her hair for a special occasion,
by Robert Coles
activism and discrimination. It shows
he learns how to make Zari and her hair
Th is true story is about the famous Ruby
middle-schoolers that they have a voice
happy. Ages 3-5.
Bridges and how in 1960, faced mobs
and should speak up. Ages 8-12.
of angry parents as she became the fi rst
“Ruth and the Green Book,”
African American student to attend an allwhite
“Dear Martin,” by Nic Stone
by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
school in New Orleans. Th is story
Justyce McAllister is an all-around great
and Gwen Strauss
shows Ruby’s courage and faith fi rst hand
kid — he has good grades, and he’s always
Ruth is so excited to take a trip with the
and continues to resonate with kids, and
there to help out his friends — but that
family in their new car, since back in the
their parents, aft er all these years. Ages 4-8.
doesn’t matter to the police offi cer who
put him in handcuff s. Th is captivating
and real story shows how Justyce turns to
the teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. for answers and how he gets caught in
the middle of constant violence within
social justice. Ages 13 and up.
“Sulwe,” by Lupita Nyong’o
Th is New York Times bestseller was
written by Academy Award-winner
Lupita Nyong’o and gives the message
that true beauty comes from within.
Sulwe has darker skin than anyone she
really knows and all she wants is to be
beautiful and bright like her mother and
sister. It isn’t until she takes a magical
journey into the night where everything
changes. Ages 4-8.
“The Hate U Give,” by
Angie Thomas
Starr Carter is constantly going back
and forth between two worlds: the poor
neighborhood that she lives in and the
suburban prep school that she attends.
Her world gets even more complicated
when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting
of her unarmed childhood best friend by
a police offi cer. Now it is all up to Starr to
set the record straight about what exactly
happened. Ages 14-17.
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