Black Women: Breaking Barriers, Building Legacies
For each Spotlight blog post, the CBC curates a themed selection from recent booklists, helping parents, teachers, librarians, booksellers, and children’s book enthusiasts discover standout titles from our member publishers.
Black women have long been at the heart of history, culture, science, activism, and the arts—shaping the world in ways both celebrated and still waiting to be fully recognized. Their stories are filled with innovation, courage, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to change. Across generations and disciplines, they have led movements, broken barriers, built legacies, and reimagined what’s possible.
Drawing from our Black History Month Year-Round booklist, we’re honoring Women’s History Month with a curated selection of books that showcase the achievements and impact of Black women in many different facets of life. From groundbreaking scientists and activists to artists, athletes, and visionaries, these titles honor the brilliance and breadth of Black womanhood—inviting readers to learn, reflect, and be inspired all year long.
And She Was Loved: Toni Morrison’s Life in Stories, by Andrea Davis Pinkney; illustrated by Daniel Minter (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers) — Biography / Memoir, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Art / Performing Arts, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 4-6.
Aretha Franklin, by Kristen Rajczak Nelson (Rosen Publishing Group / Created by Humans) — Biography / Memoir, Art / Performing Arts, BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, ages 7-12.
Brown Girl Dreaming, by Jacqueline Woodson (Penguin Random House / Nancy Paulsen Books) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Biography / Memoir, Places / Travel, Coming of Age, ages 7-12.
Coming Home (Adapted for Young Adults), by Brittney Griner and Michelle Buford (Random House Children’s Books / Bright Matter Books) — Biography / Memoir, Sports / Games / Recreation, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Teen.
A Flea for Justice: Marian Wright Edelman Stands Up for Change, by Valerie Bolling; illustrated by TeMika Grooms (Charlesbridge) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, History, ages 7-12.
Florence Price, by Joanne Mattern; illustrated by Marilena Perilli (Red Chair Press / Red Chair Press Books for Young Readers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Biography / Memoir, Biography / Memoir, History, ages 7-12.
Harriet Tubman, Force of Nature: A Biography in Poems, written & illustrated by Caroline Brewer (What on Earth!) — Biography / Memoir, History, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 7-12.
I Am the River, by Gauch, Patricia Lee; illustrated by Kristle Marshall (Levine Querido / Arthur A. Levine) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Government / Politics / Law, ages 4-6.
It’s Her Story Josephine Baker: A Graphic Novel, by Lauren Gamble; illustrated by Markia Jenai (Phoenix International Publications, Inc. / Sunbird Books) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Cultural Diversity, ages 7-12.
It’s Her Story Rosa Parks: A Graphic Novel, by Lauren Burke; illustrated by Shane Clester (Phoenix International Publications, Inc. / Sunbird Books) — Biography / Memoir, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, History, ages 7-12.
Just Like Tina, by Ebony Lynn Mudd, foreword by Erwin Bach; illustrated by Maruga Koops (Penguin Random House / Dial) — Art / Performing Arts, BIPOC Characters and Creators, BIPOC Characters and Creators, ages 5–7.
Liberation Literature, by Virginia Hamilton (Levine Querido / ReLit) — Art / Performing Arts, History, Folklore / Fairytales / Myths, Teen.
Lovely One (Adapted for Young Adults), by Kentaji Brown Jackson (Random House Children’s Books / Bright Matter Books) — Biography / Memoir, Government / Politics / Law, Government / Politics / Law, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Teen.
Make Your Mark: The Empowering True Story Of The First Known Black Female Tattoo Artist, by Jacci Gresham and Sherry Fellores; illustrated by David Wilkerson (Penguin Random House / Penguin Workshop) — Art / Performing Arts, Careers / Hobbies, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, ages 5–7.
Mary Bowser and the Civil War Spy Ring, by Enigma Alberti; illustrated by Tony Cliff (Hachette Book Group / Workman Kids) — History, Biography / Memoir, Biography / Memoir, Government / Politics / Law, ages 7-12.
Through the Telescope: Mae Jemison dreams of space, by Charles R Smith Jr; illustrated by Evening Monteiro (Scholastic / Orchard Books) — Biography / Memoir, BIPOC Characters and Creators, BIPOC Characters and Creators, Science / Nature, ages 4-6.
The Trailblazing Life of Viola Desmond: A Civil Rights Icon, by Rachel Kehoe with Wanda Robson; illustrated by Chelsea Charles (Orca Book Publishers) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, Social Activism / Equality / Feminism, History, ages 7-12.
Twice Enslaved, by Selene Castrovilla; illustrated by Erin K. Robinson (Astra Books for Young Readers / Calkins Creek) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, History, Biography / Memoir, ages 7-12.
Writing Toward Justice, by Peggy Thomas; illustrated by Tonya Engel (Astra Books for Young Readers / Calkins Creek) — BIPOC Characters and Creators, Biography / Memoir, Biography / Memoir, History, ages 7-12.
Be sure to visit our Celebrate Black Joy & Herstory pages for more resources!
Check out more Diversity booklists and resources, and our Inclusivity Resources.
