Libraries celebrate Black History Month with literary selection

Wolverhampton’s libraries have marked Black History Month by selecting a range of books for younger readers to enjoy.

They have been chosen to help children, young people, families and teachers explore race, identity, culture and achievements.

Titles include, for two to five year olds, Baby Ruby Bawled by Malaika Rose Stanley and Fruits by Valerie Bloom, and for three to five-year-olds, So Much by Trish Cooke.

Children aged five to seven can enjoy Look Up by Nathan Bryon, The Proudest Blue by Ibtihaj Muhammad, Baba’s Gift by Beverley Naidoo, Dominic Grows Sweetcorn by Mandy Ross, My Two Grandads by Floella Benjamin, Luna Loves Library Day by Joseph Coelho, Grace and Family by Mary Hoffman and Sulwe by Lupita N’yongo.

For readers aged seven to 11, there is Young, Gifted and Black by Jamia Wilson, Funky Chickens by Benjamin Zephaniah, and Little Leaders – Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison, while Nelson Mandela’s Long Walk to Freedom is recommended for the over 7s.

For eight to 11-year-olds, there is Peacemaker by Malorie Blackman, and   Ghost Boys by Jewell Parker Rhodes is suitable for readers aged nine and over.

For readers aged 11 and over there’s Ghost by Jason Reynolds, High Rise Mystery by Sharna Jackson, Coming to England by Floella Benjamin and Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman, while those aged 13-plus are recommended The Hate U Give and On the Come Up, both by Angie Thomas.

The city’s libraries remain closed to visitors due to the coronavirus pandemic, though library members can order these titles and more through the ‘We Select, You Collect’ service.

Customers can pre-order titles via the online library catalogue at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries, by emailing libraries@wolverhampton.gov.uk or by calling 01902 552025 and pick them up at a pre-arranged time from Central Library, Warstones Library, Wednesfield Library or Bilston Library.

Councillor Stephen Simkins, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for City Economy, said: “Our library staff have selected an excellent range of titles with something for everyone and this is a great way for young readers and their families to join in with this year’s celebration of Black History Month.”

The theme of Black History Month 2020 is to honour the accomplishments of black Britons throughout history. It marks how the nation’s culture and society has been made stronger thanks to the people who travelled to the UK to build new lives as well as the achievements and contributions of their descendants.

To find out more about activities taking place in Wolverhampton, please visit www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/bhm.

It's free to join Wolverhampton’s libraries and people can sign up on line. Please visitwww.wolverhampton.gov.uk/libraries or follow on social media at www.facebook.com/wolveslibraries andwww.twitter.com/wolveslibraries for more information.