,

Must-Read Juneteenth Books for the Entire Family

Colorful children's picture books, gripping historical fiction and more are on our must-read list this Juneteenth

Photo: Getty Images monkeybusinessimages

Since the late 1800s, African Americans have celebrated Juneteenth, a commemoration of June 19, 1865, when enslaved African Americans in Texas received word of their freedom – two years after President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation, an executive order declaring the end of slavery.

Video will return here when scrolled back into view
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?
Trump’s Tariffs Might Stick Around. What Should We Buy Now?

Now that Juneteenth is a federal holiday, families across the country have more time to reflect and celebrate together. Reading a good book is one of the best ways to learn more about the history of Juneteenth and honor the significance of the day. In honor of the 160th anniversary of this important moment in Black history, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite books that should be on your required reading list this Juneteenth.

"Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls" by Rob Edwards

Photo Courtesy of Stranger Comics

"Defiant: The Story of Robert Smalls" is a new graphic novel that tells the inspiring true story of an enslaved man who took over a Confederate ship he worked on, got past several military checkpoints and sailed to freedom with other slaves. As if this story wasn't amazing enough, Smalls became a congressman after the Civil War.

"Harriet Tubman: From Her Roots in Ghana to Her Legacy on The Eastern Shore" by Rita Daniels and Jean Marie Wiesen

Photo: Amazon.com

Rita Daniels, Harriet Tubman's great-great-great grandniece and the President and Founder of the Harriet Tubman Learning Center, is co-author of "Harriet Tubman: Military Scout and Tenacious Visionary: From Her Roots in Ghana to Her Legacy on the Eastern Shore," which tells the story of one of the most important figures in Black history. But this isn't any biography, this well-researched book fills in the gaps, corrects misinformation, and shares little known facts about a true American hero.

“Libertie: A Novel” by Kaitlyn Greenridge

Photo: Amazon.com

Named one of the TIME 100 Must-Read Books of 2021, “Libertie” is a beautiful story set in Reconstruction-era Brooklyn about a young Black woman’s quest to find a place where she can be herself. Author Roxanne Gay called it, “An elegantly layered, beautifully rendered tour de force that is not to be missed.”

“High on the Hog: A Culinary Journey From Africa to America” by Jessica B. Harris

Photo: Amazon.com

In “High on the Hog,” cookbook author and James Beard Lifetime Achievement Award Winner Jessica B. Harris breaks down the history of African American cuisine in a delicious way.

“What is Juneteenth? by Kristi Jewel

Photo: Amazon.com

From the bestselling Who HQ series, “What is Juneteenth?” breaks down Juneteenth and its importance to Black history as a celebration of the end of slavery in the United States. Illustrations and a 16-page photo insert help bring the story to life for readers ages 8 - 12.

“Jubilee” by Margaret Walker

Photo: Amazon.com

In “Jubilee,” readers meet Vyry, the child of a white plantation owner and his Black mistress. Using research she conducted on her own family history, Margaret Walker creates a beautifully-written work of historical fiction.

“Lose Your Mother: A Journey Along the Atlantic Slave Route” by Saidiya Hartman

Photo: Amazon.com

For “Lose Your Mother,” Saidiya Hartman traveled along a slave route in Ghana as she tried to reckon with the impact of slavery on Black history and the missing pieces of her own family history.

“How the Word is Passed” by Clint Smith

Photo: Amazon.com

In “How the Word is Passed,” author Clint Smith takes readers on a tour of monuments and landmarks across the country as he explores the legacy of slavery in America.

“She Came to Slay: The Life and Times of Harriet Tubman” by Erica Armstrong Dunbar

Photo: Amazon.com

If you don’t know why Harriet Tubman deserves to be on the $20 bill, “She Came to Slay” is the book for you. Erica Armstrong Dunbar’s book pays tribute to the woman who helped liberate slaves, was a staunch advocate for women’s voting rights and served as a spy in the union army. New photos, illustrations and a timeline of Tubman’s life, help show readers just how fierce Tubman really was.

“On Juneteenth” by Annette Gordon Reed

Photo: Amazon.com

“On Juneteenth” is historian, Texas native and Pulitzer Prize-winner Annette Gordon-Reed’s look at the origins of this important day in Black history which is now celebrated as a federal holiday.

“Wake: The Hidden History of Women-Led Slave Revolts” by Rebecca Hall

Photo: Amazon.com

For “Wake,” Rebecca Hall studied court records, slave ship captain’s logs and forensic evidence to uncover information on female warriors who led slave revolts on ships during the Middle Passage. She combines her research with her personal story as the granddaughter of slavery and the illustrations of Hugo Martinez in graphic novel/memoir that should be on your Juneteenth reading list.

“The ABCs of Black History” by Rio Cortez

Photo: Amazon.com

A is for anthem. G is for Great Migration. H is for Zora Neale Hurston. “The ABCs of Black History” is a colorful children’s picture book that teaches kids ages two through seven about some of the most important people, places, and events in Black history.

“The History of Juneteenth: A History Book for New Readers” by Arlisha Norwood, PhD

Photo: Amazon.com

“The History of Juneteenth” breaks down the story that led up to the celebration of the end of slavery in the United States for kids ages six through nine. Colorful illustrations and a timeline of key events will keep young readers engaged as they read about this important part of history. And if you want to make sure they learned from what they read, there’s a quiz that tests their Juneteenth knowledge at the end.

“Light for the World to See: A Thousand Words on Race and Hope” by Kwame Alexander

Photo: Amazon.com

“Light for the World to See” is a collection of powerful poems about the history of racial injustice in this country written by NPR correspondent and bestselling author Kwame Alexander.

“A Black Woman’s History of the United States” by Daina Berry and Kali Gross

Photo: Amazon.com

Part of the award-winning Revisioning American History series, “A Black Woman’s History of the United States,” showcases the undeniable impact Black women have had on our country despite a history of systemic racism and sexism.

“Stony the Road: Reconstruction, White Supremacy and the Rise of Jim Crow” by Henry Louis Gates, Jr.

Photo: Amazon.com

In “Stony the Road,” Henry Louis Gates, Jr. looks at the period between Reconstruction and the rise of the Jim Crow, with a focus on the impact the rise of white supremacy had on the period after slavery.

“Barracoon” by Zora Neale Hurston

Photo: Amazon.com

“Barracoon” is Zora Neale Hurston’s powerful conversation with 86-year-old Cujo Lewis, one of the last-known survivors of the Atlantic slave trade. Hurston writes about her 1927 trip to Plateau, Alabama, to hear Lewis’ first-hand account of his experience being captured in Africa and brought to America as a slave fifty years after slavery was outlawed in the United States.

“Conjure Women: A Novel” by Afia Atakora

Photo: Amazon.com

“Conjure Women” is Afia Atakora’s beautiful multigenerational novel set on a Southern plantation with a timeline that alternates between the period before and after the Civil War. The story follows a well-respected midwife and woman with healing powers and her daughter who is reluctant to follow in her footsteps.

“The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story” by Glenda Armand

Photo: Amazon.com

“The Night Before Freedom” is a picture book that tells the story of Juneteenth for young readers ages four through eight. With beautiful pictures and text written in the same meter as the classic "The Night Before Christmas," families will love reading and learning about this important day in Black history together.

Straight From The Root

Sign up for our free daily newsletter.

Latest from The Root

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

The Best, Black TV Shows, Movies to Stream on AppleTV+

From Brian Tyree Henry getting down and dirty to David Oyelowo searching for a fresh start: we've got what you need to watch! ...
Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

Have You Heard of The Tragic Story of Phyllis Hyman, a Beautiful, Soulful Singer Derailed By Her Own Demons?

The soulful singer, known for hits like "Living All Alone and "You Know How to Love Me" died just days before her 46th birthday ...

Why NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Tried To Play The Black Card...Literally

Why NYC Mayoral Candidate Zohran Mamdani Tried To Play The Black Card…Literally

Mamdani appears to have an interesting past when it comes to how he identifies racially, but what's it really all about? ...
If Poor Black, White People Unite, They'd Be An Unstoppable Force, But Here's Why The Powers That Be Won't Let Them

If Poor Black, White People Unite, They’d Be An Unstoppable Force, But Here’s Why The Powers That Be Won’t Let Them

We need to understand that America's current racial political divisions did not happen naturally. People in power did not want Black and white people to work together ...
What Diddy Will Eating and Doing In Prison This Fourth Of July

What Diddy Will Eating and Doing In Prison This Fourth Of July

Wondering what Diddy will be eating and Doing this holiday? Here's all the tea ...
A White Male TikToker Decided To Use Black Hair Relaxer... The Results Will Surprise You

A White Male TikToker Decided To Use Black Hair Relaxer… The Results Will Surprise You

A white TikTok Creator decided to use relaxer on his hair and... it worked? ...
Diddy's Best Friend Charlie Liucci is Being <i>Loud</i> About His Next Moves Will Be Following Acquittal

Diddy’s Best Friend Charlie Liucci is Being Loud About His Next Moves Will Be Following Acquittal

He's been spotted wearing "FREE PUFF" merch, now, Charlie Liucci has an inside scoop on what Diddy will do once released ...
How Baltimore Beat 'The Wire' Homicide Curse Under This Black Mayor

How Baltimore Beat ‘The Wire’ Homicide Curse Under This Black Mayor

Violent crime has plagued Baltimore for generations, and "The Wire's" depiction of drug and gang life surely hasn't helped... but there's hope ...
Best Self-Help Reads for Black Resilience in Uncertain Times

Best Self-Help Reads for Black Resilience in Uncertain Times

In these challenging times, these books can give you the hope you need ...
'Hey Google' and Other Voice Assistants Are Terrifying Children and Confusing Bemused Parents

‘Hey Google’ and Other Voice Assistants Are Terrifying Children and Confusing Bemused Parents

Social media is buzzing about the strange reaction kids are having to smart speakers in their homes ...
Internet Believes Eerie Photo Predicted Black Fort Worth Family's Tragedy

Internet Believes Eerie Photo Predicted Black Fort Worth Family’s Tragedy

A big rig driver admitted he fell asleep at the wheel in Kaufman County before he collided with stopped traffic ...
Why Philadelphia is Going Viral For Streets That Look Like a Landfill

Why Philadelphia is Going Viral For Streets That Look Like a Landfill

Libraries are closed, the medical examiner's office has a backlog of bodies, and trash is piling up everywhere ...
How Bakari Sellers Just Got the Ultimate Revenge on His MAGA CNN Colleague

How Bakari Sellers Just Got the Ultimate Revenge on His MAGA CNN Colleague

Sellers and Jennings often go back and forth on the CNN show, and this was only amplified when Jennings asked Sellers not to touch him during one viral interaction from December ...
The Scary Reason 'American Idol' Winner Jamal Roberts Declined a Key to This Southern Town

The Scary Reason ‘American Idol’ Winner Jamal Roberts Declined a Key to This Southern Town

While Roberts' reasoning is understandable, it's a shame he had to make the decision in the first place ...
A Black Mom Posted Video of a Terrifying Exchange She had with Police in Delaware

A Black Mom Posted Video of a Terrifying Exchange She had with Police in Delaware

Black Mom Says Cops Approached Her and Her Children With Guns Drawn ...
Why Are There Still Black People Listening To R. Kelly At The Summer Cookouts -- And What Does That Say About Us?

Why Are There Still Black People Listening To R. Kelly At The Summer Cookouts — And What Does That Say About Us?

Despite convictions and backlash, his music continues to collect streams. Why is the "Pied Piper" still on the cookout playlist? ...
How Diddy Could Still End Up With a Long Sentence, Despite The Acquittals

How Diddy Could Still End Up With a Long Sentence, Despite The Acquittals

Even with credit for time served, Diddy, 55, wouldn’t be free to break out the baby oil until 2031 ...
Why the Internet is Convinced Stephen A. Smith's And His Daughter Samantha Are Twins

Why the Internet is Convinced Stephen A. Smith’s And His Daughter Samantha Are Twins

Samantha Smith is the spitting image of her controversial sports commentator dad ...
Flint's Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

Flint’s Water Crisis Ends With A Major Development

This milestone marks a record for one of the worst water crises in the nation's history ...
NBA's Mike Beasley's Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to <i>Who??</i>

NBA’s Mike Beasley’s Alleged Gambling Issues Have Him Owing Money to Who??

The amount of money Beasley apparently owes to his barber is insane ...