This Black History Month, I wanted to highlight Carole Boston Weatherford: an author of youth literature whose books capture the history, experiences, and contributions of past and present Black Americans throughout United States history. Weatherford is a multi-award winning and honored author, including awards such as the Coretta Scott King Award, Newberry Medal, and the Caldecott Medal, among many others. Her books explore topics surrounding Black history including slavery and segregation, family history and ancestry, historical events, and Black joy and culture. She also authors biographies of notable figures like Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Fannie Lou Hamer, Representative Elijah Cummings, and more.
Regarding her books, Weatherford stated in a 2008 interview: “I want [young readers] to know that young people made sacrifices, and some made the ultimate sacrifice by giving up their lives…I want the books that I write that are set during the Jim Crow era and the Civil Rights era to nudge today’s kids toward justice.”
Weatherford has also discussed her love of poetry, which comes across in her books. She creates a reflective environment that prompts readers to thoughtfully engage with Black history. Additionally, her books are always accompanied by illustrations which are done by a variety of artists, including her son Jeffery Boston Weatherford. Author and illustrator notes in the back of the books supplement the topics of her books. For young readers wanting to learn about Black history during this month (and throughout the year), reading with Carole Boston Weatherford is a great place to start! Below are a few titles to check out.
Standing in the Need of Prayer
Lastly, in January 2025, both Carole Boston Weatherford and her son Jeffery Boston Weatherford published a poem in The Horn Book magazine titled Black Means: Roll Call and Rap: A Found Poem of Coretta Scott King Award and Honor Book Titles (for 3 voices), which you can find at this link. Happy reading!
References
Margolis, R. (2008). She shall overcome: Poet Carole Boston Weatherford writes about the struggle for equality. School library journal, 54(1), 33.
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