For readers with more context in Black history who are ready for deeper conversations, The Girl with a Mind for Math is a perfect fit. Raye Montague’s story is both amazing and frustrating – and my students were vocal about their outrage. Their cries of “How can they treat her like that?! That’s not fair!” kicked off discussions about how people can be treated differently because of their race or gender; and Ms. Montague’s letter and photo in the back of the book make it perfectly clear that it’s not all in the past. As a bonus, this rhyming story is fun to read aloud and had the whole class totally transfixed! A perfect read aloud for any time of year.

Black History Month is important, and I’m working on creating a more meaningful and engaging experience for my students this year. Learn more, and follow along, here.