In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. Since then, it has been observed every February as a way to honor often-neglected accomplishments of Black Americans and to teach history that, in the past, did not always make it into the books. One great way to do this is to read books that teach about important aspects of our nation’s history.

Reading is a way to experience something that we cannot experience firsthand, to learn about someone who has had a different life than we have. Stories have been used throughout time to teach lessons and enlighten minds. They can also be a perfect way to ignite important discussions, especially with children. This month — Black History Month — is the perfect time to sit down with a good book.

An online search will result in many book recommendations for Black History Month. Many of these are children’s books, and even if we’re not children, we can still enjoy them and learn from them. These are a few favorites.

Every time I read “Ron’s Big Mission” by Rose Blue and Corinne J. Naden to young children, they are shocked to learn that young Ron McNair was not allowed to check out books from his public library in South Carolina in the 1950s simply because of his race. In 1959, McNair, who later becomes an astronaut and died during the launch of the space shuttle Challenger, refused to leave the library without checking out books.

Children listening to the story are rooting for him as we learn what happens next. Thoughtful discussions arise naturally about fairness, kindness and the resolve to always be fair and kind themselves.

How could children or adults not want to save Henry “Box” Brown from a life of slavery when reading “Henry’s Freedom Box” by Ellen Levine? While reading this story, we learn that Brown endured terrible hardships, including losing his wife and children when they are sold. Later, he escapes slavery in a unique and exciting way. Readers are drawn into the story and wish they could have been the ones to help him in his quest for freedom. Children always ask, “Is this story true?” Yes.

Anything by Jacqueline Woodson is worth reading, and “Brown Girl Dreaming” is no exception. In this young adult book, Woodson tells of her life entirely in verse, which makes it engaging to read. Growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, Woodson didn’t always feel she had a place in the world. If we look around, we might see there are people in our own communities who are feeling this way.

Another great read by Woodson is the fictional story “The Other Side.” Through reading this, we learn about segregation and how friendships can be formed despite the beliefs of others. The story tells about how some people in our country once lived and reminds us that we don’t ever want to go back there.

“Through My Eyes” by Ruby Bridges chronicles the story of a girl, Ruby, who became a pioneer in school integration at the young age of 6 years old in 1960. This story is told in her own words. While children today may not go through this same experience, they can still learn about resilience and bravery from the words of Bridges.

There are many great books about Harriet Tubman. “Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom” by Carole Boston Weatherford tells the story in such a way that readers can somewhat experience and empathize with her terrible life as a slave and her bravery and fortitude in escaping and helping others to do the same.

“Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Martin Luther King, Jr.” by Doreen Rappaport shows us how a young Martin Luther King Jr. wanted to grow up to use big words, such as the ones he learned from his parents and in church, to make the world a better place. Readers will learn some of his most important words that still inspire us today, such as, “Hate cannot drive out hate. Only love can do that.”

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