The Library in the Woods
The Library in the Woods
by Calvin Alexander Ramsey (illus. R. Gregory Christie)
Ages 7–11✈️ Import only (pricey)
North Carolina, 1959. After his family moves to town, nine-year-old Junior discovers a library for Black readers hidden in a forest clearing, in the segregated South.
Heads-up for parents: Racism & discrimination. Worth reading it yourself first.
- Author
- Calvin Alexander Ramsey (illus. R. Gregory Christie)
- Age
- Ages 7–11
- Type
- Picture Book, History
- Language
- English
- Publisher
- Carolrhoda Books
- In India
- ✈️ Import only (pricey)
If you liked this, try
-
The Undefeated
Ages 6–9
A love letter to Black Americans — their struggles, achievements, and resilience — in soaring poetic language. Caldecott Medal winner. Profound and essential reading.
-
Hair Love
by Matthew A. Cherry
Ages 4–7
A young Black girl wants her hair to look perfect for a special occasion, so her father — who has never done hair before — steps up. Celebrates Black hair and father-daughter love. Academy Award-winning film.
-
Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut
Ages 5–8
A young Black boy gets a fresh haircut at the barbershop and walks into school feeling like a king. A glorious, joyful Coretta Scott King Award-winning celebration of Black boyhood.
-
Amazing Grace
by Mary Hoffman
Ages 4–8
Grace loves acting out stories, and dreams of playing Peter Pan in the school play — until a classmate says she can't, because she's a girl and she's Black. A beloved British classic about believing you can be anything.
-
Noah's New Home
by Zeshan Akhter (illus. Nabila Adani)
Ages 4–8
Noah's family arrive in a new country as refugees. He misses his Baba, Jida and old home, and when fireworks bring back hard memories, his family and new community help him feel safe.
-
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze
Ages 11–14
An accomplished Black boy wants to be seen simply as a person, not a stereotype. A powerful, nuanced novel about race, prejudice and being fully human.
Heads-up: Racism & discrimination





