Author/Editor Pinkney, Andrea D.
The story of African American Alvin Ailey (1931-1989), who founded his own modern dance company in 1958.
KS2

Author/Editor Orgill, Roxane
Tells the story of the young Louis Armstrong and his desire to own a horn.
KS2
Houghton Muffin, 2002, ISBN 061825076X

Author/Editor Wilkins, Verna
A biography of Malorie Blackman, the author of many popular children's books. Born in the UK, her parents were from Barbados. On becoming a writer she consciously set out to challenge the lack of Black characters in children's literature.
KS2
Tamarind Books, 2000, ISBN 1870516494

Author/Editor Benson, Michael
Tells of the life of the singer Gloria Estefan from her early days in Cuba, her family's flight to the US, and her involvement in other areas of American political life.
KS3
Lerner US, 2001, ISBN 08225969

Author/Editor Miller,
William This is a lyrical account of the childhood of the renowned African American writer Zora Neale Huston, born in 1891, who collected and later recounted the oral traditions of African Americans.
KS2
Lee & Low, 1996, ISBN 1880000334

Author/Editor Duggleby, John
Jacob Lawrence is a renowned painter of the Afro-American experience. This biography tells his story, and is illustrated with his own paintings.
KS3
Chronicle Books, 1998, ISBN 081182082

Author/Editor Sekoto, Gerard
Gerard Sekoto was one of the first Black modern artists in South Africa. In this book he tells the story of his life from herding cattle in Botshabelo in the Transvaal to living in self-exile in Paris. The book is illustrated with Sekoto's paintings.
KS3

Author/Editor Weidt, Maryann
Taken from her African family at the age of seven, Phyllis Wheatley arrived in Boston in 1761. Quickly learning to read and write, this slave girl became an internationally recognised poet.
KS3
Turtleback Books, 1997, ISBN 0688100570

Author/Editor Miller, William
Tells the story of Richard Wright in the segregated South of the 1920s, and his determination to be allowed to borrow books.
KS2
Lee & Low, 2000, ISBN 1880000881

Author/Editor Zephaniah, Benjamin
Strictly speaking not a book about black pioneers, but a lovely example of how children’s life-stories can be used to demonstrate diversity.
KS1/2
Frances Lincoln, 2002, ISBN 0711217645

Author/Editor Benjamin, Floella
Floella Benjamin describes her life in Trinidad and how she came to Britain as a child. She shows how she faced rejection and unhappiness, soon realising that the only way to survive was to be twice as good as anyone else.
KS2
Puffin Books, 1997, ISBN 0140380817

Author/Editor Schlesinger Minky
Africa, Yvonne Chaka Chaka is a singing superstar, more popular than Madonna. This biography documents her early life in Soweto and her rise to fame.
KS3
Viva Books, 1993, ISBN 1874932026

Author/Editor Gavin, Jamila
Noted children's author Jamila Gavin here provides an account of her own Anglo-Indian childhood experiences in India and England. It is a personal recollection and an account of the transition to Indian independence. This book goes very well alongside Floella Benjamin's 'Coming to England'.
KS2/3
Hodder Children’s Books, 2002, ISBN
0340854626

Author/Editor Schlesinger, Minky & M.Isaacson
Tells the story of the life of Tandie Klaasen, born in 1931, who is a jazz singer from South Africa.
KS3
Viva Books, 1995, ISBN 1874932220

Author/Editor Stuart, Marie
Paul Robeson was outspoken in his criticisms of racism in the USA, and travelled the world with his message while becoming famous for his powerful singing voice. One of a series of brief biographies titled Black Leaders in the Freedom Struggle, written for an adult basic education audience but usable with young people.
KS3
Avanti Books, 1998, ISBN 1873115075

Author/Editor Lazo, Caroline
Detailed biography of Alice Walker tracing her childhood, the development of her writing career and her involvement in Civil Rights, feminism and humanitarian causes.
KS3
Lerner Publications, 2000, ISBN 0822549603

Author/Editor Holland, GiniDetailed biography of African American broadcaster and actress Oprah Winfrey. Includes analysis of how she has been perceived over time, key dates, and a glossary.
KS3
Heinemann, 2002, ISBN 0431086486

Author/Editor Wilkins, Verna
This book portrays the life of poet Benjamin Zephaniah. Brought up in Birmingham, Zephaniah has struggled against the odds to become Britain’s unofficial black poet Laureate.
KS2
Tamarind Books, 1998, ISBN 1870516486