Check out the selection of biographies and nonfiction books below, or visit the Learning Commons today to find more titles. If you are having trouble finding a book or logging into eBooks, we are here to help.
Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by
This young reader version of Tyson's essays addresses issues surrounding the universe, from the Big Bang and black holes to intelligent life beyond Earth. Written in easy-to-digest chapters, this book is meant to be consumed on the go by curious readers who want to understand the world around them--and beyond--just a little better.
Becoming by
Former first lady Michelle Obama reflects on her childhood, path to becoming a lawyer, her relationship with former president Barack, her time in the White House, and life after the presidency. She looks back at the struggles of being a woman of color in white male-dominated professions, and how she overcame to succeed alongside her husband.
Pathfinders by 
Crossroads: An Anthology of Resilience and Hope by Young Somali Writers by
Presents a collection of poems and prose pieces from teenaged and young adult Somali Minnesotans, writing of their stages in life and its transitions, between childhood and adulthood, and between Somali and American culture. Highlights how these Somali American writers expand on Somalia's oral heritage by writing their own stories, struggles, and hopes and dreams.
Extraordinary People of the Civil Rights Movement by
A look at the lives of some courageous Americans who worked hard for civil rights in America.
Revolution in Our Time: the Black Panther Party's Promise to the People by
In this comprehensive account, author Kekla Magoon recounts the history of the Black Panther Party, beginning with the historical foundations for their uprising, namely, the capture, use, and abuse of black slaves and the subsequent legacy of treating black Americans like second-class citizens. Chronicles their formation, profiles their leaders, and examines their revolutionary social movement and surveillance by the U.S. government. Ends with an exploration of the organization's demise and its ties to today's Black Lives Matter movement.
Ordinary Hazards by
Told in verse, African American author and poet Nikki Grimes chronicles her childhood as the daughter of a schizophrenic mother and absent father, as well as the abuse she suffered at the hands of babysitters and foster families. She also discusses how magical and cathartic writing is in her life and how it got her through tough times throughout her young life.
The Truths We Hold by
Chronicles the life of Kamala Harris, the first woman, African American, and South Asian American to become attorney general of California and the second black woman elected to the U.S. Senate, and details her childhood, political career, and accomplishments.
Rise Up! by
This nonfiction account explores the ways white Americans can combat racism in the United States. Beginning with the history of racism since colonization, and accounts of racist acts through history and today, the author offers five actionable steps teens can take to become an ally in the fight against racial injustice.
Allies by
Explores and defines the concept of being an ally in various social and equality movements, such as in racial, feminist, and LGBTQ+ causes. Offers seventeen short narratives of true stories from the people who experienced them firsthand, and offers self-reflection prompts, journaling ideas, suggested further reading, and resources on being an ally.
A Few Red Drops by
Explores the 1919 race riot in Chicago prompted by a single act of violence against a young black man. Driven by white European immigrants and black migrants from the South, the two races were pitted against each other for jobs and living space, which created a breeding ground for racial hatred. Includes black-and-white photographs and examples of propaganda materials.
Hidden Figures by
Before John Glenn orbited Earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as 'human computers' used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space. Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation.
Hidden No More by
Profiles notable African American women who achieved success in STEM careers and haven't received sufficient recognition, from Rebecca Lee Crumpler as the first African American woman to become a physician in 1864, to the Women and Minorities in STEM Booster Act of 2017, which attempts to make STEM fields more accessible to women of color.
How Dare the Sun Rise by
Memoir of Sandra Uwiringiyimana, who was ten years old when rebels in the Democratic Republic of the Congo killer her mother and sister. Sandra managed to escape and found refuge in the United States through a refugee program. However, in middle school in New York she found an ethnic disconnect to overcome and give voice to her people.
It's Trevor Noah: Born A Crime by
This fascinating memoir blends drama, comedy, and tragedy to depict the day-to-day trials that turned a boy into a young man. In a country where racism barred blacks from social, educational, and economic opportunity, Trevor surmounted staggering obstacles and created a promising future for himself, thanks to his mom's unwavering love and indomitable will.It's Trevor Noah: Born a Crime not only provides a fascinating and honest perspective on South Africa's racial history, but it will also astound and inspire young readers looking to improve their own lives.
Lifting As We Climb by
Presents the history of the African American women who fought for the right to vote even as they faced racism, rejection from white suffragists, and danger. Describes the historical line from abolition, to suffrage, to civil rights, and to activism today.
Becoming Muhammad Ali by
Provides a biography of the early life of boxer and activist Muhammad Ali through verse written from his perspective and first-person essays told by his best friend Lucky. Discusses what it was like growing up in segregated Louisville, Kentucky, the important family members in his life, and how he began training at the Columbia Boxing Gym at age twelve.
Walk Toward the Rising Sun by
Ger Duany just wanted to make his family proud, play with his brothers and sisters, and maybe get an education and become a soldier when he's older. But when his village was attacked by the North Sudanese military, he was forced to become a child soldier and saw many of his loved ones die.
A Mighty Long Way by
Carlotta Walls chronicles her integration into Little Rock Central High School on September 25, 1957, as one of the "Little Rock Nine." Walls details the prejudice and hate she and her black classmates faced, and reveals how she persevered through it all to eventually graduate.
Unequal by
Discusses the history of racial inequality in the United States, explains the ways inequality still persists, and highlights stories of individuals and activists who fought for equal rights, including Ossian Sweet who broke the housing color line in 1925 Detroit and James Meredith who was the first to enroll at the University of Mississippi in 1960.
Barack Obama by
Chronicles the life of Barack Obama and describes his accomplishments. Provides information about how he was the first black man to become the President of the United States, his youth and education, his work in community service, and his life after the presidency. Includes a timeline, a glossary, and an index.
African Icons by
Illustrations and detailed profiles offer historical information about the lives of assorted African leaders and figures who helped shape world history--from powerful kings and queens who outsmarted their enemies and established prosperous governments to great thinkers and artists who contributed to areas of philosophy and the arts.
Life in Motion by
Biography of Misty Copeland, the first female African American to dance solo for the American Ballet Theatre. Examines Copeland's childhood living in poverty, how she and her dancing talent were discovered, and how she has made history with the Theatre today.
Malcolm X: by Any Means Necessary (Scholastic Focus) by
As a 14-year-old he was Malcolm Little, the president of his class and a top student. At 16 he was hustling tips at a Boston nightclub. In Harlem he was known as Detroit Red, a slick street operator. At 19 he was back in Boston, leading a gang of burglars. At 20 he was in prison.
Nearer My Freedom by
Traces the life of slave-turned-abolitionist, Olaudah Equiano who tells of his harrowing journey being kidnapped from his home in Benin as a child, surviving the horrors of the Middle Passage, and making his way to a Virginia plantation and then aboard a British naval ship, which sparked a passion for sailing. Driven to seek his freedom, Olaudah eventually became a hairdresser's apprentice and saved up enough money to buy his freedom. He later became an abolitionist who helped end the practice of slavery in England.
Juneteenth by
Though the Emancipation Proclamation effectively outlawed slavery in 1863, it wasn't until June 19, 1865 that Union Troops entered the state of Texas to enforce the law. That day is now celebrated by African Americans around the country as a day of celebration, remembrance, and cultural pride
March Forward, Girl by
Beals's autobiography explores her childhood, when she began noticing the injustice of racism. Discusses the impact of her parents, who both highly valued education--her mother earning a PhD from University of Arkansas--and her grandmother who understood how to live in a white world but also how to rebel within it.
Black Birds in the Sky by
Chronicles the history of the Tulsa Race Massacre, which took place in Tulsa, Oklahoma on June 1, 1921 when a white mob entered the predominantly black neighborhood of Greenwood and destroyed thirty-five blocks of houses and businesses with fire and explosives. Describes what led up to the event, the resurgence in white supremacy groups, the pervasive jealousy of black prosperity, and the devastating aftermath for the black community. Explains why so little is known about it, and how it fits into the larger struggle for civil rights and equality for black Americans.
The Black Friend: on Being a Better White Person by
Chronicles the reflections of Frederick Joseph, award-winning marketing professional and writer, and other prominent African American artists, writers, and activists on their experiences with racism and white supremacy. Discusses ways for white people to be anti-racist through their behavior and knowledge.
Dreams from My Father (Adapted for Young Adults) by
Presents an adaptation of Barack Obama's memoir of growing up as the son of a white American mother and a black African father whom he hardly knew. Describes how, upon hearing of his father's death, he reexamined his life's meaning by tracing his mother's family's migration from Kansas to Hawaii, and then visiting Kenya and meeting the African side of his family to explore the truth of his father's life and legacy. Includes photographs.
Race Against Time by
Exhibits a historical account of the efforts of Scipio Africanus Jones, a self-taught early twentieth century African American lawyer, to save the lives of twelve sharecroppers who were unjustly tried and sentenced to death in Arkansas after riots broke out when they were trying to unionize.
The Whydah: a Pirate Ship Feared, Wrecked, and Found by
The 1650s to the 1730s marked the golden age of piracy, when fearsome pirates like Blackbeard ruled the waves, seeking not only treasure but also large and fast ships to carry it. The Whydah was just such a ship, built to ply the Triangular Trade route, which it did until one of the greediest pirates of all, Black Sam Bellamy, commandeered it. Filling the ship to capacity with treasure, Bellamy hoped to retire with his bounty -- but in 1717 the ship sank in a storm off Cape Cod. For more than two hundred years, the wreck of the Whydah (and the riches that went down with it) eluded treasure seekers, until the ship was finally found in 1984 by marine archaeologists. The artifacts brought up from the ocean floor are priceless, both in value and in the picture they reveal of life in that much-mythologized era, changing much of what we know about pirates.
Drawing the Vote by
This illustrated graphic novel presents historical information about how United States citizens vote, including events that helped secure equal and fair voting rights, such as suffrage rights for African Americans and women, as well as, actions that restricted and manipulated those rights, including gerrymandering and voter intimidation.
The Rebellious Life of Mrs. Rosa Parks (Adapted for Young People) by
Presents a young readers' edition of a biography of Rosa Parks. Pushes back against the idea that Parks was a tired, meek, and accidental civil rights hero, but instead show she was a lifelong activist and freedom fighter.
Victory. Stand! by
Olympic gold medalist Tomie Smith documents his life and career before and after his 1968 protest against racial injustice during the gold medal ceremony in which he and teammate John Carlos raised black-gloved fists during the playing of the national anthem.
Love Is Loud by
Diane grew up in the southside of Chicago in the 1940s. As a university student, she visited the Tennessee State Fair in 1959. Shocked to see a bathroom sign that read For Colored Women, Diane learned that segregation in the South went beyond schools—it was part of daily life. She decided to fight back, not with anger or violence, but with strong words of truth and action.
Reaching for the Moon by
Mathematician Katherine Johnson describes her life as a girl of color in a time of racial violence and gender discrimination and discusses her pivotal work with NASA's Apollo 11 program.
Call Me American (Adapted for Young Adults) by
The author shares the story of his life from his birth under a neem tree in Somalia to his journey to America. Highlights the traditions and customs of his culture as well as his dreams of becoming an American citizen and the struggles he faced as a Somali refugee.
Mighty Justice (Young Readers' Edition) by
Biography of Dovey Johnson Roundtree, an African American woman who predated Rosa Parks and the Freedom Riders in the civil rights movement in her efforts to join the U.S. Army as one of the first Black women to join its ranks. She would go on to become an attorney in segregated courtrooms in Washington, D.C., and finally as a female minister in the AME church.
Troublemaker for Justice by
Explores the life of civil rights activist and gay man Bayard Rustin, who being gay was mostly left out of the history books and biggest stories about the civil rights movement, even though he was a mentor to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Rustin taught King the techniques and philosophy of non-violent action, and in 1963 he organized the march on Washington.
Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by
This adaptation of Ibram X. Kendi's "Stamped from the beginning" explores the history of racist ideas in America by examining the lives of notable historical figures, from Cotton Mather and Thomas Jefferson to W.E.B. Du Bois and Angela Davis. Discusses how racist ideas spread and how they are also discredited.
This Is Your Time by
Addressed as a letter to "young peacemakers," civil rights activist Ruby Bridges describes her experiences as the first black child to integrate into an all-white elementary school in New Orleans when she was six years old. Striking black-and-white photographs and brief paragraphs relate her encounters through the years with inspiring young school children, reflect on current racial struggles, and call on young people to bring healing and peace to the nation.
The Black History Book by
Trace the history of Black cultures around the world and human evolution, beginning with the origins of humanity, through historical conquests, to the spread of various religions. Follows the beginnings of African peoples' enslavement and its links to colonization. Profiles later abolition and Civil Rights movements and highlights Black social justice movements around the world, including Black Lives Matter.
