Books for Juneteenth

By Coll Rowe | June 3 2025 | SociologyEnglish Language ArtsHistoryBlack History

This month we celebrate Juneteenth—a time to amplify Black joy, resilience, and community. As we commemorate and reflect on the achievements of Black Americans throughout history on Juneteenth and during Black History Month, we encourage you to embrace Black joy year-round by infusing your classroom with great books.

HISTORY

FAMILY & CULTURE

FICTION

POETRY

SOCIAL JUSTICE

THE ARTS

FANTASY & SCIENCE FICTION

PICTURE BOOKS

Marsha
Marsha
The Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson
Tourmaline
9780593185667
Black trans luminary Tourmaline brings to life the first definitive biography of the revolutionary activist Marsha P. Johnson, one of the most important and remarkable figures in LGBTQ+ history, revealing her story, her impact, and her legacy.
$30.00 US
May 20, 2025
Hardcover
320 Pages
Tiny Reparations Books
The Black Box
The Black Box
Writing the Race
Henry Louis Gates, Jr.
9780593299807
A magnificent, foundational reckoning with how Black Americans have used the written word to define and redefine themselves, in resistance to the lies of racism and often in heated disagreement with each other, over the course of the country’s history.
$20.00 US
Mar 18, 2025
Paperback
304 Pages
Penguin Books
Juneteenth (Revised)
Juneteenth (Revised)
Ralph Ellison
9780593314616
Juneteenth is a brilliantly crafted, moving, and wise novel. This edition includes a new introduction by National Book Award-winning author Charles R. Johnson.
$17.00 US
May 18, 2021
Paperback
416 Pages
Vintage
The Black Fantastic
The Black Fantastic
20 Afrofuturist Stories
9781598538113
A cutting-edge collection of the best short stories in contemporary Afrofuturist fiction—from Hugo, Nebula, and Stoker award-winning Black authors"This is essential reading." —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
$24.95 US
Feb 04, 2025
Paperback
384 Pages
Library of America
Black Girl You Are Atlas
Black Girl You Are Atlas
Ekua Holmes, Renée Watson
9780593461709
A Coretta Scott King Honor BookWinner of the Walter Dean Myers AwardA thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood by award-winning author and poet Renée Watson.
$18.99 US
Feb 13, 2024
Hardcover
96 Pages
Kokila
Chaos Theory
Chaos Theory
Nic Stone
9780593307731
The #1 New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin delivers a gripping romance about two teens: a certified genius living with a diagnosed mental disorder and a politician's son who is running from his own grief and addiction. Don't miss this gut punch of a novel about mental health, loss, and discovering you are worthy of love.
$12.99 US
Jan 02, 2024
Paperback
288 Pages
Ember
One Way Witch
One Way Witch
Nnedi Okorafor
9780756418977
Set in the universe Africanfuturist luminary Nnedi Okorafor first introduced in the World Fantasy Award-winning Who Fears Death, One Way Witch is the second in the She Who Knows trilogy
$23.00 US
Apr 29, 2025
Hardcover
240 Pages
DAW
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