We encourage you to share these stories with the young person in your life this Black History Month.
Ages 4 and up
![Swing Sisters book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780823450886-web.jpg)
This colorful picture book tells the story of Dr. Laurence Clifton Jones and the young musicians he helped break barriers of discrimination through swing music.
![Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/fancy-party-gowns-the-story-of-fashion-designer-ann-cole-lowe-9781499802399_hr-web.jpg)
Fancy Party Gowns: The Story of Fashion Designer Ann Cole Lowe by Deborah Blumenthal
The life of Ann Cole Lowe is told with colorful illustrations giving life to the little known fashion designer who faced adversity and designed for the wives of presidents.
![I Am Enough book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780062667120.jpg)
Inspires children to love who they are, reinforcing lessons of kindness and respectfulness.
![Skin Like Mine book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Skin-Like-Mine-web.jpg)
Skin Like Mine by LaTashia Perry
This picture book celebrates diversity among youth.
Ages 5 and up
![Heart and Soul book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780061730795-web.jpg)
Heart & Soul: The Story of American and African-Americans by Kadir Nelson
This narrative chronicles the contributions of African Americans from the beginning of American history until the presidency of Barak Obama.
Ages 7 and up
![The 1619 Project: Born on the Water book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780593307359-web.jpg)
The 1619 Project: Born on the Water by Nikole Hannah Jones
Through beautiful illustrations and poetic prose, this book chronicles slavery and the aftermath of it as told through the lens of a child uncovering their own family history.
![Playing to Win book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780823448531-web.jpg)
Tells the story of tennis legend Althea Gibson.
Ages 8 and up
![What Color is My World? book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780763664428-web-683x1024.jpg)
What Color Is My World?: The Lost History of African American Inventors by Kareem Abdul Jabar
Throughout this book readers will learn about inventions, scientific and medical discoveries from African Americans whose creations impact our everyday life.
Ages 8-12
![Little Leaders book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/97803164751121.jpg)
Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History by Vashti Harrison
Youth will be inspired by the stories of 40 trailblazing women in American history.
Ages 9-13
![Black Boy Joy book cover](https://ymcadetroit.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/9780593379936-web-677x1024.jpg)
Black Boy Joy: 17 Stories Celebrating Black Boyhood by Kwame Mabalia
Readers discover the meaning of black boy joy in 17 short stories sure to make you smile.