Black History Month Resource Center

Black History is American History. Download teacher’s guides and browse title lists to share during Black History Month and all year long with our Black History Month Resource Center.

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Enter for a chance to win a galley of Dr. Ibram X Kendi’s next book, Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers. In collaboration with the Malcolm X Estate, this ground-breaking narrative biography contains short, evocative chapters, exclusive archival documents, photographs from the Malcolm X Collection at the NYPL Schomburg Center, and extensive backmatter.

Click the cover images below to download free teacher’s guides.

Discussion Guide: Under the Same Stars by Libba Bray

Abuelo, the Sea, and Me

Under the Same Stars
By Libba Bray
Ages 12-18
On Sale Now!
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection

From New York Times bestselling author Libba Bray comes a propulsive historical mystery that examines truth, rebellion, reconciliation, and what must be sacrificed for a better world.

It was said that if you write to the Bridegroom’s Oak, the love of your life will answer back. Now, the tree is giving up its secrets at last.

In 1940s Germany, Sophie is excited to discover a message waiting for her in the Bridegroom’s Oak from a mysterious suitor. Meanwhile, her best friend, Hanna, is sending messages too—but not to find love. As World War II unfolds in their small town of Kleinwald, the oak may hold the key to resistance against the Nazis.

In 1980s West Germany, American teen transplant Jenny feels suffocated by her strict parents and is struggling to fit in. Until she finds herself falling for Lena, a punk-rock girl hell-bent on tearing down the wall separating West Germany from East Germany, and meeting Frau Hermann, a kind old lady with secrets of her own.

In Spring 2020, New York City, best friends Miles and Chloe are slogging through the last few months of senior year when an unexpected package from Chloe’s grandmother leads them to investigate a cold case about two unidentified teenagers who went missing under the Bridegroom’s Oak eighty years ago.

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Watch our Spring 2025 School & Library Virtual Preview!

opens in a new windowSpring 25 Preview


RSVP now for our MacKids School & Library Spring 2025 Preview Event where we’ll preview upcoming picture books, middle grade, young adult, and adult titles! You’ll hear from talented creators Marzieh Abbas (The Camel Library); Uri Shulevitz (The Sky Was My Blanket); Askel Aden (Love, Misha); and Kasia Babis (Breadcrumbs)!

And, stay tuned for our live special guests! Author Kristen Mei Chase will be in conversation discussing her picture book debut, We Are American, Too, an exquisitely illustrated exploration of Asian American history, identity, and pride. Plus, we are excited to welcome the #1 New York Times bestselling author and acclaimed historian Ibram X. Kendi! Dr. Kendi will be in conversation talking about Malcolm Lives!: The Official Biography of Malcolm X for Young Readers, a powerful biography about the life of Malcolm X!

Kids 8-12: Enter the Katherine Applegate Color Our World Writing Contest!

Katherine Applegate, Newbery Medalist and #1 New York Times-bestselling author, is the Collaborative Summer Library Program 2025 Summer Reading Champion!

This Summer, parents and guardians of budding storytellers ages 8-12 are invited to enter the Katherine Applegate Color Our World Writing Contest. Entries are open from June 1 – July 31, 2025.

WRITING PROMPT
Your writing can change and color our world! Write a short story between 1,000 – 1,500 words about a character that takes an action that changes someone else’s day for the better. The action can be as small or grand as you’d like — even small acts can make a big difference!

Your story must have a catchy title, a protagonist that takes an action to make a change, and a beginning, middle, and end.

The contest will be judged by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and Katherine Applegate. We’re on the lookout for a story that

Rules and Requirements: View Here
Privacy Notice: View Here

The grand prize winner will receive a virtual writing workshop with Katherine Applegate, signed copies of Willodeen, Crenshaw, Odder, and wishtree, and will receive a $500 of books for readers ages 8-12 from Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.

Three runner-ups will receive a signed copies of Willodeen, Crenshaw, Odder, and wishtree.

ABBREVIATED RULES
No purchase necessary. Open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and D.C. who are age 18 or older and of the legal age of majority. Entry period begins at 9:00 AM (ET) on 6/1/2025 and ends at 11:59 PM ET on 7/31/2025. Void where prohibited. For full Official Rules, visit the following link. Sponsored by Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, 120 Broadway, New York, NY 10271.

Entries will open June 1st at 12:00am ET.

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