This February, the Niagara-on-the-Lake Public Library is honouring Black History Month with a collection of books that reflects the spirit and history of the people celebrated during the month and puts Black authors front and centre in the world of literature.
Sarah Bowers, the library’s technical services co-ordinator, said it will offer in-house book displays and a curated reading list available through its online public catalogue throughout next month.
The library’s initiative highlights the importance of preserving Black history in Canada and North America, Bowers said. This collection includes dozens of fiction and non-fiction titles by Black authors, for both children and adults, covering topics from Canadian Black history and Black life to the American civil rights movement.
Staff have also created an annotated bibliography highlighting specific notable and recent books. Bowers said if she were to recommend two books from the shortlist, she would start with “Black in Blues: How a Color Tells the Story of My People” by Imani Perry. She is a professor in studies of women, gender and sexuality, and in African and African American studies at Harvard University.
Perry’s book, published last year, is what the International African-American Museum called an analysis of “art, history and personal narrative.” It looks at how deeply black history is intertwined with the colour blue, whether it’s traced through West African indigo cloths or blues and jazz music. For instance, it makes reference to the song “(What Did I Do to Be So) Black and Blue?” first recorded by Louis Armstrong in 1929.
In essence, the book highlights how the colour blue has symbolized both melancholy and hope for Black people.
“It offers a powerful and accessible exploration of Black identity through culture, history, and emotion, connecting personal experience with broader social meaning, while being deeply thoughtful and poetic,” Bowers said.
For children, she would go with “Black Star” by Kwame Alexander, an American writer of poetry and children’s fiction.
Alexander’s 2024 book is the story of a young Black girl named Charlene Cuffey growing up in segregation-era Virginia. She’s inspired to become a baseball pitcher after watching a Negro Leagues game, despite her mother’s disapproval, and hopes to go all the way and become a professional baseball player.
“It stands out as an engaging historical novel that introduces themes of ambition, resilience and family during segregation in a way that resonates with middle-grade readers,” Bowers said.
There are several other books on the shortlist: “Swing Time,” acclaimed English author Zadie Smith’s 2016 novel about two girls, both of whom are biracial, who meet in dance class and become best friends; “All the Sinners Bleed,” by S. A. Cosby, a thriller about an African American sheriff facing off against a serial killer in a rural Bible belt town; and “North to Bondage: Loyalist Slavery in the Maritimes” by Harvey Amani Whitfield, which uncovers the history of enslaved people in the Maritimes and how they fought for freedom.
There’s also “Black Writers Matter” by Whitney French, an anthology of African-Canadian writing, “(S)kin” by Ibi Zoboi, a contemporary fantasy book, “Flip” by Ngozi Ukazu, a graphic novel, and “Free At Last: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.” by Angela Bull, a biography.
Library staff selected the books based on their familiarity with the collection and reader interests across age groups, Bowers said. They considered factors like literary merit, relevance to Black history and culture, representation of Canadian and international perspectives, and suitability for children, teens and adults.
“The goal was to create a balanced, thoughtful list that supports discovery and meaningful engagement rather than a single narrative or genre,” she said. “Libraries help preserve history, amplify diverse voices, and provide space for learning and reflection.”
Bowers said she hopes the list helps place Black history within a broader context.
“Celebrating Black History Month gives libraries the opportunity to collectively honour the culture, art, contributions and history of Black individuals,” she said. “Black history is not separate from Canadian or global history — it is fundamental to it.”
To explore the catalogue, visit notl.niagaraevergreen.ca/eg/opac/home.
