In this post you will find some of our favorite living-ish and living books for Black History Month that we enjoy reading in our homeschool during the month of February.
What are living books per Charlotte Mason?
Charlotte Mason was a British educator who developed the concept of living books in her philosophy of education.
According to Miss Mason, living books are books that are written with a personal touch and convey the author’s thoughts and feelings. They also contain vivid descriptions and illustrations, which help bring the stories alive for readers.
Living books are often written by authors who have experienced or studied the subject matter they write about. This helps create an authentic connection between the writer and their readers, as well as making it easier for readers to relate to and understand what is being discussed.
Charlotte Mason believed that these books were essential for providing children with a quality education, as they allowed them to engage with meaningful stories that had been written with care.
Why should I use living books to teach my children about Black History?
Teaching your children about our nation’s black history is an important part of providing them with a rich education at home.
Instead of using boring textbooks and stories, you can use living books to help teach your children about the history of black people here in America.
By using living books, they will provide engaging stories that bring history to life for your children. These types of books can also help children understand what it was like to experience the events of black history, and can help them develop empathy and understanding for the different cultures.
By reading living books about black history, children can gain a broader perspective on the world around them and learn lessons that will stay with them for life.
My Favorite Living (ish) and Living Books To Read in Celebration of Black History Month
Here are some of our family’s favorite books to read in celebration of Black History Month. Not all of the books are focused on slavery and the Civil War, but rather, some books are just awesome books to read that have African Americans as the main characters of the story.
*These book links are affiliate links.*
1. Addy: An American Girl Collection
All I can say is WOW to this series. This is MUST READ series for your children.
We first read these books a few years ago and we were captivated after just the first few chapters. I even cried at one part; no joke!
Not only does this story follow the life of a little girl who goes from living in slavery, to freedom, but it also has many true and historical facts woven in so that you are constantly learning true history while reading each book.
There are 6 books in this series and they are all wonderful!
Do not let the fact that these are American girl books steer you away from sharing them with your boys because even my boys who are very “no girly books allowed”, were hooked on these.
Do yourself a favor and read this series to your kiddos for a great book series as an introduction to black american history!
check out addy: an american girl collection book series here
2. Welcome to Addy’s World, 1864: Growing Up During America’s Civil War (accompaniment book for more historical facts to the above mentioned book series)
Although this book that accompanies the Addy: An American Girl series, is NOT a living book per se, it is chock-full of wonderful historical facts with real pictures, that compliments the above said book series beautifully.
We didn’t use this book as a read-aloud from beginning to end, but rather, would browse through it and read random facts after listening to chapters in the Addy: An American Girl chapter books.
I would even find my kids looking at this book in their free time to learn more facts about that time period and I truly believe it’s a great book to coincide with the above said book series.
check out Welcome to Addy’s World, 1864: Growing Up During America’s Civil War here
3. Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott
Louisa May Alcott is my all-time favorite author and these first account stories from her very own journal when she worked as a nurse during the civil war do not disappoint.
Come to find out, Louisa May Alcott was a “red-hot abolitionist” as she puts it.
Hearing these stories from her own experiences as serving as a nurse to the Union soldiers was really eye-opening, and sometimes sobering.
I would recommend you read these stories AFTER your children have learned about slavery and the Civil War, as these stories will bring to life to real heartache and pain that the Union soldiers experienced while trying to fight for freedom.
Check out Hospital Sketches by Louisa May Alcott here
4. Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman
This was such a sweet, living, picture book that introduced us to Harriet Tubman as a little girl. The book is a historical fiction book, however, the author did add in real events from Harriet’s childhood.
We were at the edge of our seats throughout this entire book, wondering what Harriet (Minty) would do next! Such a great and short read for your Black History Month celebration!
Check out Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman here
5. The Drinking Gourd
Another short read, this book did not disappoint. Although, again, it is a historical fiction book, it does bring to life situations that slaves encountered while trying to escape to freedom on the Underground Railroad.
Not only did we learn a few new cool facts, we also learned how to locate the North Star by following the star formation of “the drinking gourd” aka, the Big Dipper. HELLO, SIMPLE SCIENCE LESSON!! ????
We also listened to this song to learn the actual tune and words to the song, “Follow The Drinking Gourd” for a little music class. Easy, peasy!
Check out The Drinking Gourd book HERE
6. Wagon Wheels
This was a neat twist on learning about American black history. Instead of focusing on slavery, this book actually showed us the lives of the Muldie boys and their father who were black pioneers looking for new land during the Homestead Act time period.
We always hear about other pioneers, but rarely black ones, so I thought this was very cool and we learned some pretty interesting facts from this short read book. We all enjoyed it!
Check out the book wagon wheels HERE
7. Women in Blue or Gray: True Stories from Both Sides of the American Civil War
This wasn’t an actual book, but was an audio story that features 6 different stories about women from the American Civil War.
The first track we listened to was the one about Harriet Tubman and we learned some cool facts. I also enjoyed some of the other stories.
Written in narrative form, these accounts of different women was a nice switch up to add to our Black History Month book rotation.
Check out this audio book HERE
8. What is Given From the Heart
This is not a book about slavery or the Civil War, but rather, it was a sweet character building book that features African American characters.
The book teaches about giving from the heart, regardless of how much money you have and don’t have, and that giving something from your heart is what truly matters.
Check out What is Given From The Heart HERE
9. Desmond and the Very Mean Word
In this book there is a glimpse into the life of a little boy who is dealing with hatred and name-calling from his peers. Towards the end of the book, the main character, Desmond, embraces forgiveness and truly forgives those who have treated him badly.
This is a great book to teach our children about how we need to forgive others, even when others are mean and cruel.
Check out Desmond and the Very Mean Word here
10. Princess Grace
Another great picture book for girls, this one teaches us how princesses come from many different cultures. The main character of the story, Grace, wants to be the princess of her school parade, but she dreams of having a huge ballgown as she was used to seeing in all the fairytales. Her grandmother teaches her that princesses can wear many different things and at the end of the book, Grace decides to dress up like an African princess.
Cute, short read for your daughters!
Check out Princess Grace here
11. Chasing Freedom
Chasing Freedom is a book that talks about the life journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, and is inspired by many historical facts.
The illustrations are beautiful and each page is basically it’s own story that’s short enough to read a few and then stop for the day and pick up again the next.
Check out Chasing Freedom here
12. Frederick Douglass for Kids: His Life and Times, with 21 Activities
I have not personally read this one yet, but I have added it to our reading list. It has great reviews and I love the fact that it has 21 activities to do with your children.
Check out this book here
13. Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass: The Story Behind an American Friendship
This book I have also not read, but have browsed through it and it is written nicely, plus has some real photographs in it, which for me, really brings what I’m reading about to life.
Older children could read this book as a personal read in their freetime or during school hours.
Check out this book here
14. You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Civil War Soldier!
I have a son who really enjoys historical books such as these, that are witty, yet informative. This book will provide your child with many facts about what it was like being a soldier in the civil war.
Check out this book here
15. You Wouldn’t Want to Be a Nurse During the American Civil War!
Just like the above mentioned book, this one gives you a closer glimpse into what life would be like for a nurse during the Civil War. Again, written in a witty narrative form, yet, full of historical facts so that your children are learning while reading this fun book.
Check out this book here
16. I Thought My Soul Would Rise And Fly, The Diary of Patsy, A Freed Girl
This book takes place after slaves were technically free to leave their masters. In the story, a young girl named Patsy learns to overcome her struggles and in the end, becomes something great! We enjoyed listening to the audio recording of this story.
Check out this book here
As we read more and more books each year, I will continue to add onto this list of great books to read in celebration of Black History Month.
