Join us on Beanstack in February for our Black History Month Reading Challenge! This month, we challenge you to read one book written by a Black author or illustrated by a Black artist. You can also dive into nonfiction by reading a book about an important moment in Black history or a biography about an influential Black historical figure. Finish the challenge to earn a Black History Month button you can make for free in the IDEA Lab at the Main Library!

A reading challenge is a fun way to challenge yourself to read more, or to read books on a new topic that you may not have considered before! Beanstack allows readers to register for challenges available to their age group, log their reading, and track their progress.
Reading challenge themes range from our annual Summer Library Club to Mental Health Awareness Month. Sometimes we even host movie-watching or writing challenges. There’s something for everyone!
Create a Beanstack account and watch the library calendar for challenge announcements. When a challenge is available for your age group, register and track your progress as you go.
Upcoming Events
Join us on Beanstack in February for our Black History Month Reading Challenge! This month, we challenge you to read one book written by a Black author or illustrated by a Black artist.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org
Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.
Many of our branch library locations will have special events, presenters, and book displays to celebrate Black History Month. Stop by anytime to check them out! Click here to find our branch library locations and hours.
Civil Rights Exhibit
All ages are invited to view the traveling interactive exhibit, "Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964", designed by Eve Faulkes and created by the...
All ages are invited to view the traveling interactive exhibit, "Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act of 1964", designed by Eve Faulkes and created by the Community Coalition for Social Justice of Morgantown, WV.
Disclaimer(s)
Accessibility
Individuals with disabilities who require accommodation to attend a program at any KCPL facility should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event. Phone: 304-343-4646 ext. 1242 or 1268 Email: facilities@kanawhalibrary.org
Main Library Patrons with strollers, wheelchairs, or other wheeled devices will find it easier to use the Jacobson Tower entrance on Quarrier Street or the Skybridge entrance via Summers Street Garage.
Photo & Video
We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.
Story time: One Love
"One Love" by Cedella Marley will be our story. We will read her book and listen to the song by Bob Marley that inspired the book. Valentine craft afterward. This story time is mea...
"One Love" by Cedella Marley will be our story. We will read her book and listen to the song by Bob Marley that inspired the book. Valentine craft afterward. This story time is meant to honor Black History month.
Disclaimer(s)
Photo & Video
We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.
Black History Month I Spy- Children
Are you up for the challenge? Come on in and search high and low to see if you can find all the pictures that are hidden throughout the children's area! When you find them all, you...
Are you up for the challenge? Come on in and search high and low to see if you can find all the pictures that are hidden throughout the children's area!
Story time: One Love
"One Love" by Cedella Marley will be our story. We will read her book and listen to the song by Bob Marley that inspired the book. Valentine craft afterward. This story time is mea...
"One Love" by Cedella Marley will be our story. We will read her book and listen to the song by Bob Marley that inspired the book. Valentine craft afterward. This story time is meant to honor Black History month.
Disclaimer(s)
Photo & Video
We often photograph and videotape library events. These images are used for publicizing KCPL and its programs. If you do not wish to be photographed, please let the photographer or a staff member know.
Black History Month Reading Recommendations - Celebrating Black Authors
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It's Not All Downhill From Here
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The Light We Carry
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Queenie
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The Road to the Salt Sea
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Lone Women
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The Mayor of Maxwell Street
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The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store
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James
When the enslaved Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans, separated from his wife and daughter forever, he decides to hide on nearby Jackson Island until he can formulate a plan. Meanwhile, Huck Finn has faked his own death to escape his violent father, recently returned to town. As all readers of American literature know, thus begins the dangerous and transcendent journey by raft down the Mississippi River toward the elusive and too-often-unreliable promise of the Free States and beyond.
While many narrative set pieces of Adventures of Huckleberry Finn remain in place (floods and storms, stumbling across both unexpected death and unexpected treasure in the myriad stopping points along the river's banks, encountering the scam artists posing as the Duke and Dauphin...), Jim's agency, intelligence and compassion are shown in a radically new light.
Brimming with the electrifying humor and lacerating observations that have made Everett a "literary icon" (Oprah Daily), and one of the most decorated writers of our lifetime, James is destined to be a major publishing event and a cornerstone of twenty-first century American literature. -
A promised land