Juneteenth is coming up on June 19, so there’s no better time to pick up a book to read about the history of Juneteenth with your kids! Since Juneteenth was declared a federal holiday in 2021, many new books have been published about this day of celebration. Here are some of the newest books in our collection, and if you’re looking for more, check out this post I wrote in 2022 with additional titles you might like to check out: Juneteenth Books for Kids.
All Good in the Hood by Dwayne Reed, illustrated by Gladys Jose. A bounce-to-the-beat story, set against the backdrop of a Juneteenth celebration, about a young boy who’s afraid of the sounds in the city but is comforted by his older brother, who tells him not to worry: “It’s all good in the hood.”
A Flag for Juneteenth by Kim Taylor. This book depicts a close-knit community of enslaved African Americans on a plantation in Texas, the day before the announcement is to be made that all enslaved people are free. Young Huldah, who is preparing to celebrate her tenth birthday, can’t possibly anticipate how much her life will change that Juneteenth morning. The story follows Huldah and her community as they process the news of their freedom and celebrate together by creating a community freedom flag.
Juneteenth by Van G. Garrett, illustrated by Reginald C. Adams and Samson Bimbo Adenugba. A lyrical picture book about our newest national holiday, Juneteenth follows the annual celebration in Galveston, Texas–birthplace of Juneteenth–through the eyes of a boy coming to understand his place in Black American history in a story from three Texan creators.
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplet, illustrated by Daniel J. O’Brien. Juneteenth is the smell of brisket filling the air. Juneteenth is the sounds of music, dancing, and cheering ringing from the parade outside. It is love. It is prayer. It is friends and relatives coming together to commemorate freedom, hope for tomorrow, and one another. This book is an ode to the history of the Black community in the United States, a tribute to Black joy, and a portrait of familial love.
The Night Before Freedom: A Juneteenth Story by Glenda Armand, illustrated by Corey Barksdale. Eight-year-old David and his family gather at Grandma’s house in Galveston, Texas, for a cherished family tradition–Grandma’s annual retelling of the story of Juneteenth, the holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States.
The Real History of Juneteenth by Elliott Smith. Juneteenth is the celebration of the day enslaved people in Texas were told they were freed–two years after the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Explore Juneteenth’s little-told history, from the first Jubilee to the making of a national holiday.
