Hardcover (1 to 2 lbs)

Florida

The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman

In the bestselling tradition of The Notorious RBG comes a lively, informative, and illustrated tribute to one of the most exceptional women in American history—Harriet Tubman—a heroine whose fearlessness and activism still resonates today. Harriet Tubman is best known as one of the most famous conductors on the Underground Railroad. As a leading abolitionist, her bravery and selflessness has inspired generations in the continuing struggle for civil rights. Now, National Book Award nominee Erica Armstrong Dunbar presents a fresh take on this American icon blending traditional biography, illustrations, photos, and engaging sidebars that illuminate the life of Tubman as never before. Not only did Tubman help liberate hundreds of slaves, she was the first woman to lead an armed expedition during the Civil War, worked as a spy for the Union Army, was a fierce suffragist, and was an advocate for the aged. She Came to Slay reveals the many complexities and varied accomplishments of one of our nation’s true heroes and offers an accessible and modern interpretation of Tubman’s life that is both informative and engaging. Filled with rare outtakes of commentary, an expansive timeline of Tubman’s life, photos (both new and those in public domain), commissioned illustrations, and sections including “Harriet By the Numbers” (number of times she went back down south, approximately how many people she rescued, the bounty on her head) and “Harriet’s Homies” (those who supported her over the years), She Came to Slay is a stunning and powerful mix of pop culture and scholarship and proves that Harriet Tubman is well deserving of her permanent place in our nation’s history.

She Came to Slay

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#hardcover #fiction #historicalfiction #historical #sistersinarms #ww2 #blackhistory #botm

New Jersey

Sisters in Arms

Light Paperback (1 lb or less)

New York

The Story of Wilma Rudolph

Alice Brière-Haquet

library binding. Some library stickers on cover and marks on inner covers. The rest of the book is mint. Please see all images. C

Texas

Jazz Legend and Civil-Rights Activist Nina Simone

With evocative black-and-white illustrations and moving prose, readers are introduced to jazz-music legend and civil-rights activist Nina Simone. A stunning picture-book biography of the High Priestess of Soul and one of the greatest voices of the 20th century. Shared as a lullaby to her daughter, a soulful song recounts Simone's career, the trials she faced as an African American woman, and the stand she took during the Civil Rights Movement. This poignant picture book offers a melodic tale that is both a historic account of an iconic figure and an extraordinary look at how far we've come and how far we still need to go for social justice and equality. A timeless and timely message aptly appropriate for today's social and political climates. ♦ "A good introduction to Simone’s life, from her early love of music to her rise to the status of legend" —Kirkus Reviews, starred review ♦ "Strikingly illustrated" —Booklist, starred review ♦ "Hauntingly beautiful illustrations" —Foreword Reviews, starred review "Stirring and powerful. . . " —BookPage

Nina

16846276-cca9-4247-b714-ca2385a38175-0

Vashti Harrison

Light Hardcover (1 lb or less)

A NEW YORK TIMES INSTANT BESTSELLER!A USA TODAY BESTSELLER! This beautifully illustrated book introduces readers of all ages to 40 women who changed the world. Featuring forty trailblazing black women in American history, Little Leaders educates and inspires as it relates true stories of breaking boundaries and achieving beyond expectations. Illuminating text paired with irresistible illustrations bring to life both iconic and lesser-known female figures of Black history such as abolitionist Sojourner Truth, pilot Bessie Coleman, chemist Alice Ball, politician Shirley Chisholm, mathematician Katherine Johnson, poet Maya Angelou, and filmmaker Julie Dash. Among these biographies, readers will find heroes, role models, and everyday women who did extraordinary things - bold women whose actions and beliefs contributed to making the world better for generations of girls and women to come. Whether they were putting pen to paper, soaring through the air or speaking up for the rights of others, the women profiled in these pages were all taking a stand against a world that didn't always accept them. The leaders in this book may be little, but they all did something big and amazing, inspiring generations to come.

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

61dbdfd9-cf5b-4663-a027-569b31a2388c-1

Pennsylvania

A Novel

Named One of the Most-Anticipated Books of 2021 by: O, The Oprah Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, The Millions, Refinery29, Publishers Lunch, BuzzFeed, The Rumpus, BookPage, Harper's Bazaar, Ms., Goodreads, and more “An elegantly layered, beautifully rendered tour de force that is not to be missed.” —Roxane Gay, author of Hunger “Libertie is a feat of monumental thematic imagination.” —Margaret Wilkerson Sexton, The New York Times Book Review “This is one of the most thoughtful and amazingly beautiful books I’ve read all year. Kaitlyn Greenidge is a master storyteller.” —Jacqueline Woodson, author of Red at the Bone The critically acclaimed and Whiting Award–winning author of We Love You, Charlie Freeman returns with Libertie, an unforgettable story about one young Black girl’s attempt to find a place where she can be fully, and only, herself. Coming of age in a free Black community in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn, Libertie Sampson is all too aware that her purposeful mother, a practicing physician, has a vision for their future together: Libertie is to go to medical school and practice alongside her. But Libertie, drawn more to music than science, feels stifled by her mother’s choices and is hungry for something else—is there really only one way to have an autonomous life? And she is constantly reminded that, unlike her light-skinned mother, Libertie will not be able to pass for white. When a young man from Haiti proposes to Libertie and promises she will be his equal on the island, she accepts, only to discover that she is still subordinate to him and all men. As she tries to parse what freedom actually means for a Black woman, Libertie struggles with where she might find it—for herself and for generations to come. Inspired by the life of one of the first Black female doctors in the United States and rich with historical detail, Kaitlyn Greenidge’s new and immersive novel will resonate with readers eager to understand our present through a deep, moving, and lyrical dive into our past.

Libertie

7795c1cd-38d8-4f69-8dfe-5c6f5071ff7f-1

David W. Blight

Wallace Turnage

John Washington

Utah

Two Men Who Escaped to Freedom, Including Their Own Narratives of Emancipation

Two slave narratives that document the experiences of runaway slaves who managed to reach the protection of Union forces are accompanied by biographies of both men that reconstruct their childhoods, escape, Civil War service, and successful later lives.

A Slave No More

c12e7f26-33d8-45bf-bf50-9f032e3166a0-1

Kentucky

How 30 Women of Colour Achieved Greatness Against All Odds

Follow the life lessons of 30 remarkable women of color who are making their mark on society and culture.

"When you are struggling and you start thinking about giving up, I want you to remember something ... and that is the power of hope." -Michelle Obama (White House speech, 2017)

We Go High brings together the inspiring stories, motivational quotes, and personal philosophies of 30 influential women of color who have sought to overcome challenges in their lives.

From activists to scientists, artists to sporting icons, each woman's story is different-but all have in common a deep-seated resilience to fight against the prejudices and barriers to success that women of color face on a daily basis. The book features political powerhouses such as Kamala Harris and Stacey Abrams, as well as businesswomen like Arundhati Bhattacharya and Angelica Ross, and writers Michaela Coel and Amanda Gorman.

With 30 stunning, specially commissioned portraits, We Go High not only celebrates these remarkable women's achievements, but uncovers the personal beliefs, attitudes, and determination that drive them.

We Go High

dad653c1-4818-43aa-b414-8157fa8472fa-1

Kaitlyn Greenidge

#hardcover #historical #bookofthemonth #blackhistory 

Vermont

Michigan

Gene Barretta

Some marker mark and old stamp on inner covers. Light shelf wear. Otherwise, clean.

The inspirational story of George Washington Carver and his childhood secret garden is brought to life in this picture book biography by the author-illustrator team behind Muhammad Ali: A Champion Is Born. 

When George Washington Carver was just a young child, he had a secret: a garden of his own.

Here, he rolled dirt between his fingers to check if plants needed more rain or sun. He protected roots through harsh winters, so plants could be reborn in the spring. He trimmed flowers, spread soil, studied life cycles. And it was in this very place that George's love of nature sprouted into something so much more--his future.

Gene Barretta's moving words and Frank Morrison's beautiful paintings tell the inspiring life and history of George Washington Carver, from a baby born into slavery to celebrated botanist, scientist, and inventor. His passion and determination are the seeds to this lasting story about triumph over hardship--a tale that begins in a secret garden.

* A Texas Bluebonnet Award Book of the Year *

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

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Other than 3 dog eared pages, this book is like new. 

hardcover with DJ, very good condition. Clean and crisp pages. Tight binding. DJ shows minimal wear.  #hardcover #martinlutherkingjr #mlkjr #ihadadream #childrens #kids #homeschool #blackhistory #history

California

Requiem For a King

Martin Rising 

Old library stickers and marks. No other flaws. Book is mint. C

Ruby Bridges

Ohio

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER * CBC KIDS' BOOK CHOICE AWARD WINNER

Civil rights icon Ruby Bridges--who, at the age of six, was the first black child to integrate into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans--inspires readers and calls for action in this moving letter. Her elegant, memorable gift book is especially uplifting in the wake of Kamala Harris making US history as the first female, first Black, and first South Asian vice president-elect.
 
Written as a letter from civil rights activist and icon Ruby Bridges to the reader, This Is Your Time is both a recounting of Ruby's experience as a child who had to be escorted to class by federal marshals when she was chosen to be one of the first black students to integrate into New Orleans' all-white public school system and an appeal to generations to come to effect change.
 
This beautifully designed volume features photographs from the 1960s and from today, as well as stunning jacket art from The Problem We All Live With, the 1964 painting by Norman Rockwell depicting Ruby's walk to school.
 
Ruby's honest and impassioned words, imbued with love and grace, serve as a moving reminder that "what can inspire tomorrow often lies in our past." This Is Your Time will electrify people of all ages as the struggle for liberty and justice for all continues and the powerful legacy of Ruby Bridges endures.

This Is Your Time

800b4cc3-ebd4-4354-a4ef-d3f825d17a8e-1

#hardcover #mystery #youngreaders #blackhistory #undergroundrailroad #diesdrearchronicle #kids 

Missouri

History, legend, and rumor surround the house, once a station on the Underground Railroad and the home of long-dead abolitionist Dies Drear.

Virginia Hamilton continues the Dies Drear chronicles of suspense through a series of dramatic events. We again meet Thomas Small and his family, loyal Mr. Pluto, clever Pesty Darrow, and her aloof brother Macky. And we are introduced to the unforgettable Mrs. Darrow, whose mind twists back on itself like an ancient tunnel of the Underground.

Professor Small, cataloging the priceless antiques of the vast, hidden treasure, must face the question -- to whom does the treasure belong? To Pluto, who guarded it and faithfully kept its secret in memory of Dies Drear? To the foundation that owns the property? The storehouse is in danger not only from thieving Darrow men, but also from the real peril of collapsing walls in the treasure cavern. The time for decision has come. In a brilliant move, Professor Small solves his dilemma. And Thomas and Macky are able to face squarely an old conflict between them.

The Mystery of Drear House

2589be6e-11ea-4c00-b3e4-988b23c02214-1

#aww hardcover #fiction #historical #historicalfiction #botm #bookofthemonth #contemporary #blackhistory 

#paperback #historicalfiction #blackhistory #fiction #oprahsbookclub #contemporary#africanamerican #comedy

A New York Times bestseller and Oprah Book Club 2.0 selection, the epic, unforgettable story of a man determined to protect the woman he loves from the town desperate to destroy her. This beautiful and devastating debut heralds the arrival of a major new voice in fiction. Ephram Jennings has never forgotten the beautiful girl with the long braids running through the piney woods of Liberty, their small East Texas town. Young Ruby Bell, “the kind of pretty it hurt to look at,” has suffered beyond imagining, so as soon as she can, she flees suffocating Liberty for the bright pull of 1950s New York. Ruby quickly winds her way into the ripe center of the city—the darkened piano bars and hidden alleyways of the Village—all the while hoping for a glimpse of the red hair and green eyes of her mother. When a telegram from her cousin forces her to return home, thirty-year-old Ruby finds herself reliving the devastating violence of her girlhood. With the terrifying realization that she might not be strong enough to fight her way back out again, Ruby struggles to survive her memories of the town’s dark past. Meanwhile, Ephram must choose between loyalty to the sister who raised him and the chance for a life with the woman he has loved since he was a boy. Full of life, exquisitely written, and suffused with the pastoral beauty of the rural South, Ruby is a transcendent novel of passion and courage. This wondrous page-turner rushes through the red dust and gossip of Main Street, to the pit fire where men swill bootleg outside Bloom’s Juke, to Celia Jennings’s kitchen, where a cake is being made, yolk by yolk, that Ephram will use to try to begin again with Ruby. Utterly transfixing, with unforgettable characters, riveting suspense, and breathtaking, luminous prose, Ruby offers an unflinching portrait of man’s dark acts and the promise of the redemptive power of love. Ruby was a finalist for the PEN America Robert Bingham Debut Novel Award, a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers selection, and an Indie Next Pick.

Ruby (Oprah's Book Club 2. 0) 

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#paperback #blackhistory #blacklit #poc #blackwomen #history #historical #race #racism #feminism 

Heavy Paperback (2 to 4 lbs)

The Impact of Black Women on Race and Sex in America

“History at its best--clear, intelligent, moving. Paula Giddings has written a book as priceless as its subject”--Toni Morrison

Acclaimed by writers Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou, Paula Giddings's When and Where I Enter is not only an eloquent testament to the unsung contributions of individual women to our nation, but to the collective activism which elevated the race and women's movements that define our times. From Ida B. Wells to the first black Presidential candidate, Shirley Chisholm; from the anti-lynching movement to the struggle for suffrage and equal protection under the law; Giddings tells the stories of black women who transcended the dual discrimination of race and gender--and whose legacy inspires our own generation. Forty years after the passing of the Voting Rights Act, when phrases like “affirmative action” and “wrongful imprisonment” are rallying cries, Giddings words resonate now more than ever.

When and Where I Enter

d5e52745-687b-4b76-92e5-0d57d9a8642a-1

Robert Coles

For months six-year-old Ruby Bridges must confront the hostility of white parents when she becomes the first African American girl to integrate Frantz Elementary School in New Orleans in 1960.

The Story of Ruby Bridges

e2461c96-452b-4185-adc0-146f67892d75-1

#hardcover #historical #historicalfiction #contemporary #blackhistory #bookofthemonth 

Wisconsin

Hardcover no dust jacket. Discoloration noted to covers. Sticker residue to back cover. #hardcover #martinlutherkingjr #davidadler #biography #picturebooks #livingbooks #childrensbooks #kidsbooks #blackhistory #homeschool

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

#hardcover #history #blackhistory #slavery 

The True Story of One Ship's Battle Against the Slave Trade

A groundbreaking history of the Black Joke, the most famous member of the British Royal Navy’s anti-slavery squadron, and the long fight to end the transatlantic slave trade. The most feared ship in Britain’s West Africa Squadron, His Majesty’s brig Black Joke was one of a handful of ships tasked with patrolling the western coast of Africa in an effort to end hundreds of years of global slave trading. Sailing after the spectacular fall of Napoleon in France, yet before the rise of Queen Victoria’s England, Black Joke was first a slaving vessel itself, and one with a lightning-fast reputation; only a lucky capture in 1827 allowed it to be repurposed by the Royal Navy to catch its former compatriots. Over the next five years, the ship’s diverse crew and dedicated commanders would capture more ships and liberate more enslaved people than any other in the Squadron. Now, author A.E. Rooks chronicles the adventures on this ship and its crew in a brilliant, lively narrative of the history of Britain’s suppression efforts. As Britain slowly attempted to snuff out the transatlantic slave trade by way of treaty and negotiation, enforcing these policies fell to the Black Joke and those that sailed with it as they battled slavers, weather disasters, and interpersonal drama among captains and crew that reverberated across oceans. In this history of the daring feats of a single ship, the abolition of the international slave trade is revealed as an inexplicably extended exercise involving tense negotiations between many national powers, both colonizers and formerly colonized, that would stretch on for decades longer than it should have. Harrowing and heartbreaking, The Black Joke is a crucial and deeply compelling work of history, both as a reckoning with slavery and abolition and as a lesson about the power of political will—or the lack thereof.

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Erica Armstrong Dunbar

She Came to Slay

Kaia Alderson

Sisters in Arms

Stephanie E. Macceca

The Story of Wilma Rudolph

Alice Brière-Haquet

Nina

Vashti Harrison

Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

David W. Blight; Wallace Turnage; John Washington

A Slave No More

Nicole Ellis; Natasha Cunningham (Illustrator)

We Go High

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

Gene Barretta

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney

Martin Rising

Gene Barretta

The Secret Garden of George Washington Carver

Ruby Bridges

This Is Your Time

Virginia Hamilton

The Mystery of Drear House

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

Cynthia Bond

Ruby (Oprah's Book Club 2. 0)

Paula J. Giddings

When and Where I Enter

Robert Coles

The Story of Ruby Bridges

Kaitlyn Greenidge

Libertie

David Adler

A Picture Book of Martin Luther King, Jr.

A. E. Rooks

The Black Joke