Diverse Stories for K–12

Every student should be able to see themselves in the stories they read — and also discover new worlds, voices, and perspectives that help them grow. This book list was put together with diverse learners in mind, honoring all the different identities, experiences, and ways of learning they bring to the table.

Here you’ll find books by Black authors and other diverse voices that spark self-love, empathy, creativity, and curiosity. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or student, these stories can help build connection, confidence, and a lifelong love of learning.

Kindergarten List

Confidence & Pride

  • Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut – Derrick Barnes

  • Look Up! — Nathan Bryon

Self-Love & Identity

  • Hair Love – Matthew A. Cherry

  • I Am Every Good Thing – Derrick Barnes

  • Sulwe – Lupita Nyong’o

  • Big Hair, Don’t Care – Crystal Swain-Bates

  • The Day You Begin – Jacqueline Woodson

STEM Books

  • Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner — Janice N. Harrington

  • Mae Among the Stars — Roda Ahmed

  • Ty’s Travels: All Aboard! — Kelly Starling Lyons

  • My Rainy Day Rocket Ship – Markette Sheppard

Family & Community

  • Saturday – Oge Mora

  • Thank You, Omu! – Oge Mora

  • Brown Baby Lullaby – Tameka Fryer Brown

  • Parker Looks Up: An Extraordinary Moment – Parker Curry & Jessica Curry

First Grade

Family & Community

  • Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box — Michael S. Bandy & Eric Stein
    A moving story about voting rights and the importance of family history.

  • Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day — Tameka Fryer Brown
    A celebration of a vibrant, connected neighborhood.

  • What Is Given from the Heart — Patricia C. McKissack
    A boy discovers that even the smallest gift, given with love, can make a big difference.

Confidence & Pride

  • Please, Baby, Please — Spike Lee & Tonya Lewis Lee
    A fun and lively story about a toddler and the love (and patience) she inspires.

  • You Matter — Christian Robinson
    A bright and reassuring book reminding kids that they are important just as they are.

  • I’m Gonna Push Through! — Jasmyn Wright
    An empowering book encouraging perseverance and pride.

Historical

  • Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World — Cheryl Willis Hudson
    A beautifully illustrated book full of inspiring women.

  • Before She Was Harriet — Lesa Cline-Ransome
    A poetic biography of Harriet Tubman.

  • Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom — Carole Boston Weatherford
    A moving, lyrical account of Tubman’s courage.

  • A Black Women’s History of the United States (Young Reader’s Edition) — Daina Ramey Berry & Kimberly Brown Pellum
    A beautifully written, accessible introduction to the stories of Black women who shaped America.

  • Hidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space Race (Picture Book) — Margot Lee Shetterly
    A simplified and engaging version of the famous story.

  • The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just — Mélina Mangal
    A biography of a groundbreaking Black scientist.

  • Rosa — Nikki Giovanni
    A poetic retelling of Rosa Parks’ brave act and its impact on history.

STEM

  • What Do You Do With a Problem? — Kobi Yamada (features diverse characters in illustrations, good for problem-solving & growth mindset)

  • The Water Princess — Susan Verde & Georgie Badiel
    Based on the true story of Georgie Badiel’s childhood in Burkina Faso, focusing on clean water and perseverance.

  • Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History — Vashti Harrison
    Brief bios of trailblazing Black women, including many in STEM.

  • Little Legends: Exceptional Men in Black History — Vashti Harrison
    Short stories of Black men who made history, including scientists and innovators.

Self-Love & Identity

  • I Love My Hair! — Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
    A joyful celebration of a young girl’s beautiful hair and her identity.

  • Happy to Be Nappy — bell hooks
    A lyrical ode to natural hair and the beauty of being yourself.

  • The Day You Begin by Jacqueline Woodson: Encourages children to embrace their unique qualities and differences. 

  • Sulwe by Lupita Nyong'o: This story explores themes of self-love and beauty as Sulwe, a young girl with dark skin, learns to appreciate her own unique beauty. 

Second Grade

Family & Community

  • Those Shoes — Maribeth Boelts
    A story about wanting what others have and realizing what truly matters, with help from family and friends.

  • Uncle Jed’s Barbershop — Margaree King Mitchell
    About determination and the support of family in achieving a dream, set in the segregated South.

  • Nigel and the Moon — Antwan Eady
    A boy learns to take pride in his family and their everyday, meaningful work.

  • Going Down Home with Daddy — Kelly Starling Lyons
    A beautiful story of a boy reflecting on his family’s history during a trip back to their homeplace.

  • Where Are You From? — Yamile Saied Méndez
    Although not by a Black author, this book about belonging and family roots resonates deeply with Black and Brown children.

Confidence & Pride

  • Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut — Derrick Barnes
    A vibrant celebration of how a fresh haircut can boost confidence and pride.

  • Rise!: From Caged Bird to Poet of the People, Maya Angelou — Bethany Hegedus
    A poetic biography about Maya Angelou’s resilience and pride.

  • The Me I Choose to Be — Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
    A powerful affirmation about confidence, creativity, and defining yourself on your own terms.

  • The Electric Slide and Kai — Kelly J. Baptist
    A story about a boy learning persistence and teamwork while preparing for a big family wedding

Self-Love & Identity

  • A Queen Like Me — Dr. Kimberly Brown Pellum
    An empowering book that celebrates the beauty, strength, and potential of young Black girls.

  • A King Like Me — Dr. Michael Pellum & Dr. Kimberly Brown Pellum
    A bold affirmation of confidence, greatness, and pride for young Black boys.

  • I Am Enough — Grace Byers
    A lyrical ode to self-worth and kindness, reminding children they are enough just as they are.

  • All Because You Matter — Tami Charles
    A heartfelt love letter to children, affirming their worth and reminding them they matter deeply.

  • The Proudest Blue — Ibtihaj Muhammad with S.K. Ali
    A moving story about a girl’s pride in wearing her hijab for the first time, and standing strong in her identity.

STEM

  • Rocket Says Clean Up! — Nathan Bryon
    Rocket encourages her community to care for the planet by cleaning up the beach.

  • Zura’s Curlz Save the Day: An Engineer’s Tale — Michelle D. Greene
    A young Black girl uses engineering and creativity to save picture day at school.

  • Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner — Janice N. Harrington
    A biography of pioneering Black scientist Charles Henry Turner, who loved studying insects.

  • The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just — Mélina Mangal
    The story of Ernest Everett Just, a groundbreaking Black marine biologist.

Historical

  • Freedom on the Menu: The Greensboro Sit-Ins — Carole Boston Weatherford
    A child’s-eye view of a pivotal Civil Rights event.

  • The Teachers March! How Selma’s Teachers Changed History — Sandra Neil Wallace & Rich Wallace
    A lesser-known story of brave Black teachers marching for voting rights.

  • Because Claudette — Tracey Baptiste
    A fresh, inspiring look at Claudette Colvin’s crucial role in sparking the Montgomery Bus Boycott.

Third Grade

STEM Books

  • Rocket Says Clean Up! — Nathan Bryon
    Rocket inspires her community to care for the planet by cleaning up the beach — a fun story about environmental activism and responsibility.

  • Zura’s Curlz Save the Day: An Engineer’s Tale — Michelle D. Greene
    Zura uses creativity and engineering to save picture day with a clever invention.

  • Buzzing with Questions: The Inquisitive Mind of Charles Henry Turner — Janice N. Harrington
    The story of Charles Henry Turner, a groundbreaking Black scientist who studied insects and animal behavior.

  • The Vast Wonder of the World: Biologist Ernest Everett Just — Mélina Mangal
    A biography of Ernest Everett Just, a pioneering Black marine biologist who made significant discoveries about cells.

  • Dr. George Washington Carver: Scientist, Inventor, and Teacher — Laura Driscoll (Level 3 biography)
    A child-friendly biography of Carver, his love of plants, and his contributions to agriculture and science.