Scholastic is celebrating Black History Month with Share Black Stories, an initiative to amplify books that center Black lives and Black joy and stories that will resonate far beyond this one month. Build your bookshelf by sharing these books that explore Black history, experiences, and achievements all year round!

Bright Brown Baby by Andrea Davis Pinkney and illustrated by Brian Pinkney

Cuddle up with your little one, read aloud, and REPEAT: This gorgeous picture book treasury is sure to become your favorite story time anthem. Dive into these five beautiful poems that celebrate the tender, cozy, early days between parent and child, and the exuberant joy of watching a brand-new life take shape. Warm, winsome, and welcoming illustrations from Caldecott Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning illustrator Brian Pinkney exude joy and love on every page. Bouncing, rhythmic text rolls off the tongue and begs to be read aloud in these poems that include "Count to Love," "Hey, Baby Girl!," and "Baby Boy, You are a Star." What a great display of the celebration of Black and brown joy.

All Because You Matter by Tami Charles

Tami Charles pens a poetic, lyrical text that is part love letter, part anthem, assuring readers that they always have, and always will, matter. This powerful, rhythmic lullaby reassures readers that their matter and their worth is never diminished, no matter the circumstance: through the joy and wonder of their first steps and first laughter, through the hardship of adolescent struggles and the pain and heartbreak of current events, they always have, and always will, matter. Accompanied by illustrations by renowned artist Bryan Collier, a four-time Caldecott Honor recipient and a nine-time Coretta Scott King Award winner or honoree, All Because You Matter empowers readers with pride, joy, and comfort, reminding them of their roots and strengthening them for the days to come.

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Miles Morales: Shock Waves by Justin A. Reynolds and Pablo Leon

A true middle grade graphic novel starring one of Marvel's most popular characters, by author Justin A. Reynolds (Opposite of Always) and artist Pablo Leon (Refugees) create a riveting story that will connect with new and well-versed comics readers alike.

Miles Morales is a normal kid who happens to juggle school at Brooklyn Visions Academy while swinging through the streets of Brooklyn as Spider-Man. After a disastrous earthquake strikes his mother's birthplace of Puerto Rico, Miles springs into action to help set up a fundraiser for the devastated island. But when a new student's father goes missing, Miles begins to make connections between the disappearance and a giant corporation sponsoring Miles' fundraiser.

The Girl in the Lake by India Hill Brown

For fans of Small Spaces, Doll Bones, and Mary Downing Hahn, a truly chilling (and historically-inspired) ghost story from the talented author of The Forgotten Girl.

Celeste knows she should be excited to spend two weeks at her grandparents' lake house but she's not. Bugs, bad cell reception, and the dark waters of the lake...no thanks. On top of that, she just failed her swim test and hates being in the water—it's terrifying. But her grandparents are strong believers in their family knowing how to swim, especially having grown up during a time of segregation at public pools. Soon strange things start happening—the sound of footsteps overhead late at night. A flickering light in the attic window. Things at the old house only get spookier until one evening when Celeste looks in the steamy mirror after a shower and sees her face, but twisted, different...Who is the girl in the mirror? And what does she want?

When the World Turned Upside Down by K. Ibura

Nobody expected a tiny little virus to change the whole world in such a big way, especially not Shayla, Liam, Ai, and Ben. But when school closes to keep everyone safe, their lives turn upside down. It is one thing to learn that the outside world isn’t safe, but why does it seem that the virus is causing trouble inside their homes, too?

As they each struggle to adjust to life in quarantine, they discover they are not alone: their apartment building is full of people who need their help. Working together, they begin to see that there is power in numbers. When they cooperate, they can ease each other’s challenges and help their neighbors through tough times.

Set against the onset of COVID, When the World Turned Upside Down navigates issues of race and social justice in a heartwarming story of generosity, friendship, and the power of youth.

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Things We Couldn’t Say by Jay Coles

There's always been a hole in Gio's life. Not because he's into both guys and girls. Not because his father has some drinking issues. Not because his friends are always bringing him their drama. No, the hole in Gio's life takes the shape of his birth mom, who left Gio, his brother, and his father when Gio was nine years old. For eight years, he never heard a word from her...and now, just as he's started to get his life together, she's back.

It's hard for Gio to know what to do. Can he forgive her like she wants to be forgiven? Or should he tell her she lost her chance to be in his life? Complicating things further, Gio's started to hang out with David, a new guy on the basketball team. Are they friends? More than friends? At first, Gio's not sure...especially because he's not sure what he wants from anyone right now.

There are no easy answers to love—whether it's family love or friend love or romantic love. In Things We Couldn't Say, Jay Coles, acclaimed author of Tyler Johnson Was Here shows us a guy trying to navigate love in all its ambiguity—hoping at the other end he'll be able to figure out who is and who he should be.
 

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