Happy heavenly birthday Dr. Maya Angelou! Born April 4, Dr. Angelou was a poet, activist, professor and more. Her iconic/classic poem, “Still I Rise”, is as relevant today as it was when it was first written and published.
365 Black Books: Coretta Scott King Book Awards
This week I will feature award winners and honors from the Coretta Scott Book Awards. This year’s winners and honors:
2025 Author Winner: Twenty-four Seconds From Now by Jason Reynolds
2025 Illustrator Award Winner: My Daddy is a Cowboy illustrated by C. G. Esperanza
2025 Author Honor Book: Black Girl You are Atlas by Renee Watson
2025 Illustrator Honor Book: Coretta, The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King illustrated by Ekua Holmes
365 Black Books Kwanzaa Friday
Habara Gani! What’s the News? Umoja. . .Day 1 of Kwanzaa, a cultural celebration starting December 26-January 1. A few books about Kwanzaa
Book 1: Kwanzaa by Maulana Karenga
Book 2: K is for Kwanzaa by Juwanda Ford
Book 3: Kwanzaa From Holiday to Every Day by Maitefa Angaza
365 Black Books Jean-Michel Basquiat Tuesday
Jean-Michel Basquiat was born on December 22, 1960. He was a phenomenal artist whose art expanded the art world.
Book 1: Jean Michel Basquiat King Pleasure
Book 2: To Repel Ghosts by Kevin Young
Book 3: Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe
365 Black Books Carter G. Woodson Sunday
Carter G. Woodson was born on December 19, 1875 Known as the Father of Black History, we continue to celebrate his life and legacy.
His seminal book The Mis-Education of the Negro
Book 1: Carter G. Woodson A Life in Black History by Jacqueline Goggin
Book 2: Carter G. Woodson The Man Who Put Black in American History by James Haskins and Kathleen Benson
Book 3: Carter Reads the Paper by Deborah Hopkinson; illustrated by Don Tate
365 Black Books Throwback Thursday
These books tell the story of the legendary Bass Reeves, the first Black Deputy Marshal in the Wild West
Book 1: Black Gun, Silver Star
Book 2: Bass Reeves
Book 3: Bass Reeves Biography
Book 4: Bad News for Outlaws by Vaunda Michael Nelson
365 Black Books Best of the Best (BOTB) Medley Monday
Since 2020, BCALA has published a list of Best of the Best (BOTB) Books for PreK-Grade 12. These books are selected based on criteria, that represents the black experience with authenticity. The 2025 BOTB will be published early next year. In the meantime, I will post a medley of books from the 2024 BOTB list.
Book 1: Bridges Instead of Walls The Story of Mavis Staples by Mavis Staples and Carole Boston Weatherford ; illustrated by Steffi Walthall
Book 2: Moko Magic Carnival Chaos by Tracey Baptiste
Book 3: Love Requires Chocolate by Rayvnn K. Stringfield
365 Black Books MiSelf Monday
Today’s posts will feature books from the 2024 MiSelf in Books PK-Grade 12 booklist. These are diverse, are exemplary in literary merit and authentic representation.
Book 1: Bros by Carole Boston Weatherford; illustrated by Reggie Brown. (Grades PreK-1)
Book 2: The Last Stand by Atwan Eady; illustrated by Jarrett & Jerome Pumphrey (Grades 2-3)
Book 3: Duel by Jessixa Bagley; illustrated by Aaron Bagley (Grades 3-7)
Book 4: The Order of Things by Kaija Langley (Grades 6-8)
Book 5: Forever is Now by Mariama J. Lockington (Grades 9-12)
365 Black Books Wednesday Women
On November 4, a few cities, including Detroit, elected their first female mayor. These books feature the first African American woman elected to Congress–Shirley Chisholm, a trailblazer.
Book 1: She Was the First! by Katheryn Russell-Brown; illustrated by Eric Velasquez
Book 2: Shirley Chisholm Dared by Alicia D. Williams; illustrated by April Harrison
Book 3: Loud and Proud by Lesa Cline-Ransome; illustrated by Kaylani Juanita
Book 4: Unbought and Unbossed by Shirley Chisholm
Book 5: The Good Fight by Shirley Chisholm
365 Black Books Hat Friday
Hat season is upon us. These books play tribute to the hat.
Book 1: Crowns Portraits of Black Women in Church Hats by Michael Cunningham & Craig Marberry
Book 2: Aunt Flossie Hats (and Crab Cakes Later by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard; illustrated by James Ransome
Book 3: Tiara’s Hat Parade by Kelly Starling Lyons; illustrated by Nicole Tadgell
Book 4: Mae Makes a Way
The CamaraIfe Maktaba 