Sunday 10-10-2021 - 08:00

Here are 12 titles to learn about and celebrate #BlackHistoryMonth2021. Scroll down to enter our prize-draw to win a copy for yourself.   

 

Wonderful Adventures of Mrs Seacole in Many Lands

Mary Seacole, Sara Salih

The is a fascinating autobiography of Mary Seacole, an unsung heroine of the Crimean War. How she overcame racial prejudice and became one of the most admired and celebrated women of her day.  

 

The Girl with The Louding Voice 

Abi Daré

An international bestseller. This book follows Adunni, a Nigerian girl whose life changes when her father sells her as a bride for money and food. From there, the 14-year-old girl’s life is turned upside down. Despite her situation continuously going from bad to worse, Adunni refuses to let herself be silenced. 

 

Brit(ish)

Afua Hirsh

Challenging the harmful legacy of white-centred British history, this is a powerful, hard-hitting examination of modern, divided Britain. Essential reading for our times. 

 

The Hate U Give 

Angie Thomas  

Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this is a powerful and gripping young adult novel about one girl's struggle for justice. Sixteen-year-old Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her unarmed best friend, Khalil, by a police officer. Now what Starr says could destroy her community could also get her killed. 
 

 

White Fragility 

Robin DiAngelo 

Another International Bestseller. This book explores the reactions white people have when their personal assumptions about race are challenged. Essential reading! 

 

Blacklisted 

Jeffery Boakye 

Taking a panoramic look at global Black history and contemporary culture, this book investigates the ways in which Black communities (and individuals) have been represented, oppressed, mimicked, celebrated and othered. Part autobiographical musing, part pop culture vivisection, it's a comprehensive attempt to make sense of blackness from the vantage point of the hilarious and insightful psyche of Jeffrey Boakye.

 

Black and British: A Short Essential History 

David Olusoga 

A short, essential introduction to Black British history. When did Africans first come to Britain? Who are the well-dressed black children in Georgian paintings? Why did the American Civil War disrupt the Industrial Revolution? These and many other questions are answered in this essential introduction to 1800 years of the Black British history. 

 

Black and British a Forgotten History  

David Olusoga 

A history deep dive. A rich and revealing exploration of the extraordinarily long relationship between the British Isles and the people of Africa. 

 

The Same but Different Too

Karl Newson (For reading age 2-5) 

For younger kids. This picture book is perfect for little ones who are just beginning to make sense of their place in the world.  

 

Henry’s Freedom Box

Ellen Levine (For reading age 4-8) 

A stirring, dramatic story of a slave who mails himself to freedom.  

 

Young, Gifted and Black 

Jamia Wilson (For reading age 7-10) 

Learn about 52 icons of colour from the past and present in this celebration of inspirational achievement—a collection of stories about changemakers to encourage, inspire and empower the next generation of changemakers.  

 

 

The Place for Me stories about the Windrush Generation  

Dame Floella Benjamin (For reading age 8+)

This book presents 12 moving tales of sacrifice and bravery, inspired by first-hand accounts of the Windrush generation. Each inspiring story helps to bring the real experience of Black British people into focus. 

 

Book Giveaway

 

Top Tip

Get your hands on more free books...

Follow @UWTSDLib on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram and get involved with their #OffTheShelf campaign. Find some of these hidden books around campuses this month and more in the future:

Diversify, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, Beloved,  Half of a Yellow Sun, Why I’m No Longer Talking to White People About Race, Natives, The Good Immigrant and The Color Purple