Soul School: Taking Kids on a Joy-Filled Journey Through the Heart of Black American Culture

A must-have addition to the shelf for any parent hoping to introduce more inclusive books into the home, with 100+ essential titles for early readers through high school

Brimming with the history and culture of Black America, this one-of-a-kind resource is delivered in a package that all children find irresistible: stories. Education expert Amber O’Neal Johnston--who homeschools her four children--offers masterfully curated booklists, sorted by age, for diving into the fullness of the African American cultural experience.

Soul School books are must-have mirrors for Black children and priceless windows for others, but first and foremost, they’re captivating stories. And while they’re sure to hold a special place in the hearts of Black families, they are unequivocally and without hesitation for all children.

In addition to the booklists, Johnston artfully weaves together knowledge of the past and awareness of the present by examining cultural values, historical highlights, and the power of storytelling while teaching families what to look for and how to enjoy prose, verse, and illustrations that celebrate Black American culture.

Soul School offers the best children’s, middle grade, and young adult books available today, each accompanied by discussion questions, activities, and related resource recommendations. Covering toddlers to teens and everyone in between, Soul School is an education for us all.

Amber O’Neal Johnston is a homeschooling mother of four who speaks and writes as Heritage Mom about including diverse voices in traditional curricula and infusing culture into the home environment. She is the author of A Place to Belong and a regular contributor to the Wild + Free homeschooling community.