By Clare, Peshastin Library, and Hanna, Coulee City Library
Juneteenth is a holiday celebrating the day enslaved people in Texas were told of their freedom, two and a half years after the Emancipation Proclamation. According to Juneteenth.com (a website that shares information about the history and modern day celebrations of Juneteenth), “Today Juneteenth commemorates African American freedom and emphasizes education and achievement.”. On this day we remember the end of slavery and recognize the many achievements of African-Americans.
To commemorate Juneteenth, we’ve compiled a list of resources in our collection about this celebration and African American success.
Children’s Picture Books
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper Print, eBook, audiobook
All Different Now: Juneteenth, the First Freedom Day by Angela Johnson, illustrated by E. B. Lewis
Preaching to the chickens : The story of young John Lewis by Jabari Asim
Flying free : how Bessie Coleman’s dreams took flight by Karyn Parsons
Mae among the stars by Roda Ahmed
Adult
On Juneteenth by Annette Gordon-Reed. Also available as an eAudiobook
Juneteenth by Ralph Ellison
The Black Church : This Is Our Story, This Is Our Song by Henry Louis Gates, Jr. Also available as a digital audiobook and a documentary
Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. Also available as an eBook, eAudiobook, and in large print
Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler. Also available as a Book Club Kit and on eBook
Young Adult
March by John Lewis. Also available as an eBook
Black Enough, edited by Ibi Zoboi. Also available as an eBook and eAudiobook.
The Voting Booth by Brandy Colbert.
You Should See Me In A Crown by Leah Johnson. Also available as an eAudiobook.
Just Mercy: Adapted for Young People: A True Story of the Fight for Justice by Bryan Stevenson. Also available as an eBook.
Music
Dirty Computer by Janelle Monáe on music CD.
Collapsed in Sunbeams by Arlo Parks on music CD
The Greatest Hits by Notorious B.I.G. streaming on Hoopla
Purple Rain by Prince on music CD. Also streaming on Hoopla
Birth of the Cool by Miles Davis on music CD. Also streaming on Hoopla.
English