Juneteenth was introduced as a national holiday just a few years ago—learn about the holiday and its important impact on Black history with these Juneteenth books!
June 19th commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On this day in 1865, slaves in Texas were finally informed of their freedom—that’s over two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. Celebrate Juneteenth by learning about this important day in history and reading books about Black history!
Juneteenth Books for Kids
These are some excellent reads to introduce elementary readers to African American history in celebration of Juneteenth!
The Juneteenth Story: Celebrating the End of Slavery in the United States by Alliah L. Agostini
A colorfully illustrated tale that chronicles Juneteenth for children, The Juneteenth Story is an excellent look at this important day. It looks at the events leading to emancipation and context explaining why it took two years for enslaved people in Texas to learn about their freedom.
It further describes “Jubilee Day”, the predecessor to the name of Juneteenth, and explains the migration of freed people and proliferation of Black culture across the United States. This is a perfect picture book for students under fourth grade, explaining the importance of the holiday and why it deserves to be celebrated!
Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation by Pat Sherman
Not all slaves were freed by union soldiers arriving to plantations to read the Emancipation Proclamation—many had to read about it on their own, which was often a difficult feat due to widespread illiteracy. (Many slaves were not permitted by their owners to learn how to read and write.) In Ben and the Emancipation Proclamation, an enslaved child who knew how to read, was able to declare the news ending legalized slavery while behind bars in a slave prison.
Through the descriptive prose and beautiful illustrations, join Ben as he proclaims freedom to his fellow slaves. Readers appreciate how this book depicts the real-life experiences of many slaves learning of their freedom—in fact, it’s based on the true story of Benjamin Holmes, who taught himself to read and write by reading signs around town and the books of his boss.
What is Juneteenth? By Kristi Jewel
The well-known Who HQ book series is a great way for young readers to learn about history, and What is Juneteenth? is no exception. Children too old for picture books are the perfect readers for this nonfiction book, which shares the history behind the holiday.
This is one of the best nonfiction books for Juneteenth for elementary and middle school students. It dives into the events of June 19, 1865 itself, how newly-freed people celebrated that day, and how the holiday is still celebrated around the United States today. An illustrated chapter book, What is Juneteenth? is perfect for students still working on their chapter book-reading skills.
Juneteenth Reading List
If you’re in middle or high school, learn about Black history through Juneteenth books like these. From historical writing to fiction to poetry, this reading list—albeit brief—has a variety of literature to celebrate Black history and Emancipation.
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed
Texan historian and author Annette Gordon-Reed recalls events from the state’s past leading to June 19, 1865 in On Juneteenth. This nonfiction read demonstrates how the state’s slavery-based economy led to its war for independence, admission to the United States, and fate in the Civil War, showing the immense role African-Americans played in Texas history.
With a combination of memoirs, details from historical events, and analyses of socioeconomic patterns, Gordon-Reed contextualizes Juneteenth and describes what followed it, from institutional racism during reconstruction and the Jim Crow era through the modern era and the anglicization of American history. On Juneteenth shines a light on the lesser-known ]details about slavery and Juneteenth, a read that is equally educational and captivating.
Come Juneteenth by Ann Rinaldi
One of the best middle grade-slash-YA books for Juneteenth, Come Juneteenth is a historical fiction drama about Sis Goose, a slave who’s an appreciated member of the family she’s owned by. When soldiers from the Union come to her plantation in Texas, announcing that slavery has been legally abolished for two years, she feels horror about the fact that her family kept this information from her and runs away.
Although it was a terrible secret to keep, not everything is as black-and-white as it appears. This peek into the real-life effects of the monumental change of Emancipation in the United States helps explain how the events of Juneteenth played out and illustrates the social atmosphere of the divided nation. Authors appreciate the author’s nuanced approach in describing this event and the characters she created to illustrate how Juneteenth occurred for many enslaved people.
James by Percival Everett
This pulitzer-prize-winning novel is a brilliant, satirical, and sometimes horrifying reimagining of the classic staple in American literature, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. James, the rather one-dimensional side character from the original story, becomes our dynamic protagonist.
After learning that he’s about to be sold away from his family, he embarks on a journey to freedom, coming across Huckleberry Finn on his journey. With his new traveling companion, he sets off on a high-stakes journey through much of the toils and tragedies of pre-Civil War America—although Huck is oblivious to much of the racism James and other African Americans experience. Readers love looking at the classic story through a different point of view that contextualizes the tale in its era of America.
The Weary Blues by Langston Hughes
This Juneteenth, celebrate Black history with some of the most beautiful poetry in American history. Perhaps the most significant figure of the Harlem Renaissance, Langston Hughes uses elements of jazz and blues in the rhythm of his poems. His first book of poetry (published when he was just 24 years old), The Weary Blues, expresses the beauty and tragedies of the African American experience.
His time in the early 20th century is more than 50 years after Juneteenth, but Hughes’s prolific, inspirational work demonstrates how far American society has gotten in the decades since—and how much further it needed to go. Still, it’s definitely not all sad in The Weary Blues. Some of the poetry book’s most special aspects are its place at the forefront of African American literature, its optimistic commitment to a brighter tomorrow, and its appreciation of the beauty of Black American culture.
“I toss without rest
In the darkness
Until the new dawn,
Wan and pale,
Descends like a white mist
Into the court-yard.”
(“Summer Night”, lines 20-25)
Improve Reading & Writing
Reading Juneteenth books about Black history or about the event itself is a great way to celebrate this monumental day. It’s important to remember just how big of an impact slavery had on shaping the United States into what it is today and the devastating tragedy that the practice of slavery was. Celebrating June 19th honors the abolition of slavery and the beginning of America’s movement to become a more equitable place for all.
Reading is a great way to expand your perspective and think critically about the world around you, which is why developing strong reading & writing skills is so important. Piqosity can help if you’re looking to improve your reading comprehension skills!
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