On the Shelf: Books for Black History Month

By Courtney Warren

I love talking about books, so I’m sure it’s no surprise that On the Shelf is one of my favorite columns. All readers should have books in their hands with characters that look like them. We should all be able to fight dragons, sail pirate ships, and fall in love. Representation in literature is vital, and I’m so grateful to see the voices of people of color be elevated more and more in literature, specifically children’s literature. Here are a few awesome books to add to your list. For more information about diverse books, visit DiverseBooks.org.

Adult Literature: The Black Angels
The untold story of the nurses who helped cure tuberculosis in New York City, in 1929. A sanatorium, a deadly disease, and a dire nursing shortage.

Young Adult: Skin of the Sea, by Natasha Bowen
This was heartbreakingly beautiful. Skin of the Sea is book one of a duology. According to the publisher, “Simi prayed to the gods, once. Now she serves them as Mami Wata—a mermaid—collecting the souls of those who die at sea and blessing their journeys back home.”

“But when a living boy is thrown overboard, Simi goes against an ancient decree and does the unthinkable—she saves his life. And punishment awaits those who dare to defy the gods.”

“To protect the other Mami Wata, Simi must journey to the Supreme Creator to make amends. But all is not as it seems. There’s the boy she rescued, who knows more than he should. And something is shadowing Simi, something that would rather see her fail . . .”

“Danger lurks at every turn, and as Simi draws closer, she must brave vengeful gods, treacherous lands, and legendary creatures. Because if she fails, she risks not only the fate of all Mami Wata, but also the world as she knows it.”

Elementary Readers: Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round, by Kathlyn J. Kirkwood, illustrated by Steffi Walthall

This memoir is told in verse, and it’s the story of how our nation learned to celebrate a hero. Kathlyn highlights the foot soldiers who fought to make Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday a national holiday through years of protests and petition.

Picture book: Sulwe, by Lupita Nyong’o
This is easily one of the most stunning picture books I have ever seen. So much so, that any time we see it out in the wild, my daughter makes a point to mention it to me. We are all made by God, and this story celebrates the beauty of His creation when a little girl feels sad about the color of her skin compared to her family’s. According to the publisher, “Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then, a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.”