Celebrate Juneteenth Through Reading, Making & Giving Back
Hoopla’s Juneteenth Read-Make-Give Family Challenge
Celebrate Juneteenth with our family-friendly Juneteenth Read-Make-Give Challenge! We’re marking the legacy of June 19 with a curated collection of audiobooks, eBooks, and comics that highlight Juneteenth history and the long journey toward liberation.
Once you’ve done some reading, it’s time to get creative! We’ll guide you through three meaningful, hands-on crafts: a celebration banner, a message flag, and joy envelopes. Your whole family can get in on this! Choose a title from the list below and read it together. Then use what you’ve read about Juneteenth to get inspired to create one of the crafts. Make a day of it and read the whole list and make all the crafts for a fun variety of Juneteenth decor.
You can keep your creations to decorate your home, or you can give them to your friends and neighbors to share the celebratory spirit of the day.
I Want Audiobooks About Juneteenth! I Want eBooks About Juneteenth! I Want Comics About Juneteenth! I Want to Make Juneteenth-Related Crafts!Audiobooks About Juneteenth
The Real History of Juneteenth by Elliot Smith
Takes a closer look at how Juneteenth began, unpacking the powerful moment enslaved people in Texas finally learned they were free—two years after it was declared. It also explores how that day evolved from early celebrations into a national holiday, highlighting the stories and perspectives often left out of traditional history books.
Juneteenth by Vaunda Micheaux Nelon and Drew Nelson with various readers
On June 19, 1865, people in Texas finally heard the news: slavery was over and they were free. That special day became Juneteenth, a celebration of freedom, joy, and remembering history together. This book for kids is a 17-minute listen that’s filled with information and joy. Juneteenth is also available as an eBook!
Juneteenth for Mazie by Floyd Cooper and read by Rhett Samuel Price and Tyla Collier
Mazie is excited to celebrate freedom and honor an important day in American history: Juneteenth, the day her ancestors were finally free from slavery. As she gets ready for the celebration, she remembers both the hardships her family faced and the strength and joy they carried forward. Juneteenth for Mazie is also available as an eBook!
eBooks About Juneteenth
The Juneteenth Story by Alliah L. Agostini
This beginner-friendly history of Juneteenth for kids features vibrant illustrations and a timeline. It is an accessible exploration of how the holiday came to honor the day enslaved people in Texas first learned they were free.
Juneteenth Is by Natasha Tripplett
Juneteenth is so many things! This heartfelt book captures the joy, love, and togetherness of Juneteenth with lively celebrations, family, and community. With beautiful illustrations and meaningful storytelling, it honors Black history, Black joy, and the spirit of freedom while helping kids connect with both their own experiences and others.
Juneteenth by Kevin P. Winn and Kelisa Wing
Part of the Racial Justice in America: Histories series, this book gives kids an honest, age-appropriate look at the history of Juneteenth and stories often left out of classrooms. Created with educator Kelisa Wing, it encourages thoughtful learning, open conversations, and includes activities plus 21st century skills content.
Comics About Juneteenth
The Underground Abductor written and illustrated by Nathan Hale
Born into slavery, Araminta Ross escaped to freedom and became Harriet Tubman. Despite huge risks, she returned again and again to help others escape slavery too. Told with humor and heart, this book shares her powerful true story in a way kids can easily connect with.
Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad by Michael J. Martin and illustrated by Dave Hoover and Bill Anderson
This beautifully illustrated comic gives readers an immersive look into Harriet Tubman and her unparalleled bravery.
Juneteenth Activities and Crafts
Juneteenth is all about coming together to celebrate joy, freedom, and community—and what better way to do that than with hands-on activities everyone can enjoy? These simple, creative crafts are designed for all ages, making it easy to turn meaningful moments into lasting memories.
Family Celebration Banner
The Goal: Make a banner together that shows off what joy, freedom, and family look like to you.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper or cardstock
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- String, yarn, or ribbon
- Tape or glue
- Optional: Stickers or anything else sparkly and fun
How to Make It:
- Cut the shapes: Snip your paper into rectangles, triangles, or classic flag shapes.
- Get creative: Let everyone decorate their own pieces with designs, patterns, or drawings.
- Add meaningful words: Have the kids write down words or draw pictures that remind them of happiness, family, and celebrating together.
- Put it together: Tape or glue your finished flags onto the string.
- Show it off: Hang up your new masterpiece in the living room, kitchen, or wherever everyone can see it!
Shareable Message Flags
The Goal: Make some cute mini decorations to hand out or display that will instantly brighten someone’s day.
What You’ll Need:
- Paper
- Markers or crayons
- String, ribbon, sticks, or straws
- Tape or glue
How to Make It:
- Cut out mini flags: Cut your paper up into small rectangles or triangles.
- Doodle away: Cover each flag in bright colors, interesting patterns, or simple sketches.
- Add happy vibes: Draw sweet symbols like hearts, suns, or stars, and write a quick, positive message if you feel like it.
- Assemble them: String them together into a mini banner, or tape them to sticks/straws so people can wave them around.
- Spread the joy: Hand them out to friends and family, or hang them outside to make the neighbors smile!
Pocket of Joy Envelopes
The Goal: Pack a bunch of happy vibes into tiny envelopes to hand out and make your community smile.
What You’ll Need:
- Envelopes (or regular paper to fold your own)
- Markers or crayons
- Small scraps of paper for notes
- Tape or glue
How to Make It:
- Get your envelope ready: Use a small envelope, or fold a piece of paper into a little pouch.
- Make it pretty: Decorate the outside with bright colors, fun patterns, or cute doodles.
- Write some happy thoughts: Use those smaller paper scraps to write nice notes or draw little pictures that will make someone’s day.
- Stuff the pocket: Tuck your sweet notes and drawings inside the envelope.
- Share the love: Pass your pocket of joy along to a friend, a neighbor, or anyone who could use a little boost!
Celebrate Juneteenth Holiday with Action
The Juneteenth holiday is about more than just looking back; it is about connecting with one another today. By combining reading with crafting and giving, you can take part in honoring the past while actively building a brighter, more connected future.
*Titles may vary by library
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