The National Council for the Social Studies and the Children’s Book Council are delighted to present this year’s list of exceptional books appropriate for use in the social studies classroom.

Social studies teachers can gain valuable insight from Kathleen Wellman’s book about U.S. and world history textbooks created by conservative Christian publishing houses.

The Carter G. Woodson Book Award is presented by National Council for the Social Studies to elevate texts that accurately depict the experiences of traditionally marginalized racial or ethnic groups within the United States. The award now has a long history, nearly 50 years, in honor of distinguished scholar and activist Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Woodson’s life-long dedication to making Black History known, visible, and valued inspires us to focus our students’ learning experiences on classroom resources that elevate the diverse voices of the American social landscape. 

Thomas N. TurnerPresenting students with a variety of social studies-related fiction and nonfiction books can inspire them to read more and learn about issues from a range of perspectives.199

This ninth-grade inquiry invites students to analyze arguments about banning certain books while also asking them to consider what makes a book worth reading.  

This year’s Carter G. Woodson book picks include stories about Black heroes of the Old West, groundbreaking journalist Ethel Payne, and William Still, the “Father of the Underground Railroad.” 

Our award winners include books about one of the earliest African Americans elected to Congress, a former slave who became a teacher, and the lives and experiences of various Native American nations.

The featured images about an American Library Association program that sent books to soldiers fighting in World Wars I and II can help high school students connect to the experiences of soldiers and launch an interesting lesson on the era.

The latest Septima Clark Book Award recipients shine a light on the stories of Frances Perkins, the first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet; Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman in Congress; and numerous female athletes who shattered stereotypes.

This year’s award winners for outstanding nonfiction that highlights ethnic minorities and race relations include books on Cesar Chavez, on life in a World War II Japanese relocation camp, and on the 1960s killing of three civil rights activists.Pull Out Section