Anzu and the Realm of Darkness

Awkward new student Anzu runs away and ends up in the supernatural underworld in this magical graphic novel. Staff member Paul calls it “a fast-paced and touching fantasy adventure jam-packed with drama, action, great art, and fantastical creatures and beings from Shinto folklore.” Recommended for ages 9–12.

Anzu and the Realm of Darkness

Mai K. Nguyen
(Juvenile Graphic Novels - J-GN Nguyen Anzu and the Realm of Darkness)


Awkward new student Anzu runs away and ends up in the supernatural underworld in this magical graphic novel. Staff member Paul calls it “a fast-paced and touching fantasy adventure jam-packed with drama, action, great art, and fantastical creatures and beings from Shinto folklore.” Recommended for ages 9–12.

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King

In her own words, Coretta Scott King recounts her life, from growing up with parents who aspired to give her a better life to marrying Martin Luther King, Jr. and working as a civil rights activist after his sudden death. Kids who know King from black-and-white video footage can see her story come to life with vibrant illustrations by Ekua Holmes. Recommended for ages 7–10.

Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King

Coretta Scott King
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 King Kin)


In her own words, Coretta Scott King recounts her life, from growing up with parents who aspired to give her a better life to marrying Martin Luther King, Jr. and working as a civil rights activist after his sudden death. Kids who know King from black-and-white video footage can see her story come to life with vibrant illustrations by Ekua Holmes. Recommended for ages 7–10.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Freewater


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Firebird


  • Coretta Scott


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Coretta Scott King


  • Before the Ever After


  • An American Story


  • Trombone Shorty


  • March Book 3


  • Nigeria Jones


  • New Kid


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • The Undefeated


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Piecing Me Together


Coretta Scott King

This brief chapter book biography of Coretta Scott King teaches readers that while Coretta Scott King may be mostly known as the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she was an important civil rights activist and leader in her own right. Part of the She Persisted biography series. Recommended for ages 8–11.

Coretta Scott King

Kelly Starling Lyons
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 King Lyo)


This brief chapter book biography of Coretta Scott King teaches readers that while Coretta Scott King may be mostly known as the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., she was an important civil rights activist and leader in her own right. Part of the She Persisted biography series. Recommended for ages 8–11.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Before the Ever After


  • An American Story


  • Coretta Scott


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • March Book 3


  • Piecing Me Together


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • New Kid


  • Firebird


  • Coretta Scott King


  • The Undefeated


  • Freewater


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Nigeria Jones


  • Trombone Shorty


Coretta Scott

Coretta Scott King’s childhood and participation in the Civil Rights Movement are lyrically described in this picture book biography. Kadir Nelson’s paintings show expressive faces and cinematic landscapes. A great companion to any of the several MLK Jr. picture book biographies. Recommended for ages 4–9.

Coretta Scott

Ntozake Shange
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 921 King Sha)


Coretta Scott King’s childhood and participation in the Civil Rights Movement are lyrically described in this picture book biography. Kadir Nelson’s paintings show expressive faces and cinematic landscapes. A great companion to any of the several MLK Jr. picture book biographies. Recommended for ages 4–9.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Firebird


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Nigeria Jones


  • Coretta Scott


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • The Undefeated


  • March Book 3


  • Freewater


  • Coretta Scott King


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • An American Story


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Before the Ever After


  • New Kid


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Trombone Shorty


The Undefeated

This poem is an ode to African Americans who have encountered many defeats, but remain undefeated. Kadir Nelson’s remarkable art shows striking faces looking straight at the reader, some serious, some joyful, and some hopeful. An afterword and description of those depicted help provide context for children unfamiliar with some of the faces. 2020 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–12.

The Undefeated

Kwame Alexander
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Ale)


This poem is an ode to African Americans who have encountered many defeats, but remain undefeated. Kadir Nelson’s remarkable art shows striking faces looking straight at the reader, some serious, some joyful, and some hopeful. An afterword and description of those depicted help provide context for children unfamiliar with some of the faces. 2020 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–12.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Piecing Me Together


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Freewater


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Coretta Scott King


  • Coretta Scott


  • Firebird


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • The Undefeated


  • March Book 3


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Trombone Shorty


  • Before the Ever After


  • New Kid


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • Nigeria Jones


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • An American Story


Trombone Shorty

Young Troy lives in New Orleans and loves to pretend that he’s playing music just like his big brother James. When he finds a broken, beaten-up trombone, he plays it so much that people in the neighborhood begin to call him “Trombone Shorty.” Before long, he’s playing onstage with music legend Bo Diddly! 2016 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.

Trombone Shorty

Troy Andrews
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Bau)


Young Troy lives in New Orleans and loves to pretend that he’s playing music just like his big brother James. When he finds a broken, beaten-up trombone, he plays it so much that people in the neighborhood begin to call him “Trombone Shorty.” Before long, he’s playing onstage with music legend Bo Diddly! 2016 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Before the Ever After


  • Trombone Shorty


  • An American Story


  • March Book 3


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Coretta Scott King


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Firebird


  • The Undefeated


  • New Kid


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Nigeria Jones


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Coretta Scott


  • Freewater


The Stuff of Stars

We are made from the stuff of stars. Author Marion Dane Bauer describes the creation of the universe, planets, and life with a sense of wonder. Illustrator Ekua Holmes creates figures that emerge from swirling colors, suggesting that everything in the universe is interconnected. 2019 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.

The Stuff of Stars

Marion Dane Bauer
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Bau)


We are made from the stuff of stars. Author Marion Dane Bauer describes the creation of the universe, planets, and life with a sense of wonder. Illustrator Ekua Holmes creates figures that emerge from swirling colors, suggesting that everything in the universe is interconnected. 2019 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Coretta Scott King


  • Coretta Scott


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Before the Ever After


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Nigeria Jones


  • An American Story


  • March Book 3


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Firebird


  • Freewater


  • The Undefeated


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • New Kid


  • Trombone Shorty


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


Standing in the Need of Prayer

In this modern retelling of the classic spiritual, the sweeping history of the African American experience is portrayed in vivid paintings by Frank Morrison. Updated lyrics are combined with portrayals of famous historical figures like Nat Turner and Ruby Bridges to modern athletes like Florence Griffith Joyner and Colin Kaepernick. 2021 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–9.

Standing in the Need of Prayer

Carole Boston Weatherford
(Juvenile Picture Books - Ej Wea)


In this modern retelling of the classic spiritual, the sweeping history of the African American experience is portrayed in vivid paintings by Frank Morrison. Updated lyrics are combined with portrayals of famous historical figures like Nat Turner and Ruby Bridges to modern athletes like Florence Griffith Joyner and Colin Kaepernick. 2021 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 6–9.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Coretta Scott King


  • Freewater


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Firebird


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Coretta Scott


  • Before the Ever After


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • The Undefeated


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Trombone Shorty


  • New Kid


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Nigeria Jones


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • An American Story


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • March Book 3


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Aretha Franklin’s life is the subject of this picture book biography. Each page spells out a word that captures a moment in the iconic singer’s life, just like in her most famous song. Frank Morrison’s artwork creates evocative images that give space for kids to interpret their meaning. This book is G-R-E-A-T! 2021 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul

Carole Boston Weatherford
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 780.92 Franklin Wea)


Aretha Franklin’s life is the subject of this picture book biography. Each page spells out a word that captures a moment in the iconic singer’s life, just like in her most famous song. Frank Morrison’s artwork creates evocative images that give space for kids to interpret their meaning. This book is G-R-E-A-T! 2021 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4–8.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Firebird


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Nigeria Jones


  • Coretta Scott King


  • March Book 3


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Trombone Shorty


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • Coretta Scott


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • An American Story


  • The Undefeated


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Freewater


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Before the Ever After


  • New Kid


Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

The story of Jean-Michel Basquiat is told in this picture book illustrated in the style of Basquiat himself. In addition to providing biographical information, Steptoe wonderfully demonstrates that art doesn’t have to be neat and inside the lines to be beautiful. 2017 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat

Javaka Steptoe
(Juvenile Nonfiction - J 750.92 Basquiat Ste)


The story of Jean-Michel Basquiat is told in this picture book illustrated in the style of Basquiat himself. In addition to providing biographical information, Steptoe wonderfully demonstrates that art doesn’t have to be neat and inside the lines to be beautiful. 2017 illustrator award winner. Recommended for ages 4-8.

Coretta Scott King Award Winners

  • Standing in the Need of Prayer


  • Trombone Shorty


  • Nigeria Jones


  • Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat


  • Coretta Scott King


  • March Book 3


  • Gone Crazy in Alabama


  • Out of Wonder: Poems Celebrating Poets


  • A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919


  • Freewater


  • R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, the Queen of Soul


  • Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre


  • Piecing Me Together


  • Firebird


  • Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King


  • New Kid


  • Brown Girl Dreaming


  • Coretta Scott


  • The Undefeated


  • An American Story


  • The Stuff of Stars


  • Before the Ever After


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