Now that we have curbside service available, why not check out one of these titles from the library? We've got a great collection of fiction and nonfiction books that share Black stories. Some are available as eBooks (for instant access on your phone or computer) as well! Click on the book title to request.

Each week in February, check back for some new recommendations of lesser-known books that will give you a new perspective!

FICTION

The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert

Alberta has been the only Black girl in her California beach town for years, and it's never phased her very much. When another Black family from Brooklyn moves in across the street, Alberta is sure that she and their daughter, Edie, will become fast friends, but they quickly realize they have very different interests and experiences. Then the girls find a box of old journals in Edie's attic, sparking an adventure to find the mysterious story behind them. This story has a lot: it's a story of identity and the dramas of friendship, and the mystery adds an exciting element of discovery!

Loving vs. Virginia by Patricia Hruby Powell and Shadra Strickland

In 1955, Caroline County, Virginia, was segregated, but two teenagers, one Black and one white, fell in love anyway. Richard and Mildred Loving were part of a landmark Supreme Court case that legalized marriage between races. This book is a "documentary novel;" the story is told in a unique way: through verse, with pictures, and historical facts scattered throughout. It's an important historical moment, and this book puts you in the perspective of the two people involved to help you understand what it was like to be them.

NONFICTION

Lifting as We Climb: Black Women's Battle for the Ballot Box by Evette Dionne

The fight for women to vote is a story often-told, but the Black suffragists campaigning alongside their famous white counterparts were not treated as equals. These women were fighting for their right to vote and to be treated as full, equal citizens. This is their story of empowering Black women through churches and social groups and forming their own associations as the existing white-dominated ones excluded them. This book is all about activism throughout history, from abolition to suffrage to civil rights. And you'll appreciate the many photos throughout that illustrate the history you're reading!

Woke: A Young Poet's Call to Justice by Mahogany L. Browne with Elizabeth Acevedo and Olivia Gatwood

As this book's Forward and Introduction tell you, poetry is a powerful way to speak up and speak out for justice. This collection of poems by various authors speaks to the "fight for your civil rights and...the rights of your neighbor." They deal with different ideas such as identity, discrimination, and history. These poems challenge you to view the world from new perspectives, encourage empathy for different experiences, and inspire you to use your voice to speak out and strengthen the bonds of your community.

Strong Inside: The True Story of How Perry Wallace Broken College Basketball's Color Line by Andrew Maraniss

Basketball fans will especially love this one! Perry Wallace grew up in North Nashville and played basketball at Pearl High. During his Senior year, his basketball team won the first racially-integrated state tournament, and he was recruited by Vanderbilt University to play basketball. It was the 1960s, though, and the south was still deeply segregated. He was the first Black player in SEC basketball and a lot of hate as his team traveled to games around the region. This is the story of one courageous athlete and the history that defined his experience - proof that athletes can be activists, too!