As an elderly woman, Lillian recalls that her great-great-grandparents were sold as slaves in front of a courthouse where only rich white men were allowed to vote, then the long fight that led to her right--and determination--to cast her ballot since the Voting Rights Act gave every American the right to vote.

Mazie is ready to celebrate liberty. She is ready to celebrate freedom. She is ready to celebrate a great day in American history. The day her ancestors were no longer slaves. Mazie remembers the struggles and the triumph, as she gets ready to celebrate Juneteenth.

"Johnnie wants to celebrate her Papa's birthday, but Papa doesn't know exactly when that special day is. Johnnie doesn't understand how that could be. Then she learns about Papa's childhood--how he built a new life in the all-Black town of Boley, Oklahoma. Inspired by her father's incredible story, Johnnie decides to throw Papa a different kind of party--one to recognize her father's day of freedom. Based on a true story about the author's grandfather,...

Ana and Andrew visit their father's parents in Savannah, Georgia, where their grandfather tells them about the city's history, including its pirates, and shows them one of the first African American churches, which was built by slaves. "¡Es verano! Ana y Andrew viajan para visitar a sus abuelos en Savannah, Georgia. Mientras están allí, aprenden que la iglesa de Abuela y Abuelo fue construida por esclavos. ¡Con un poco de ayuda de una fuente...

"Hold happiness, trials, and triumph close. Written by Your Name Is a Song author Jamilah Thompkins-Bigelow with stunning collages by debut illustrator Patrick Dougher, Hold Them Close is a moving celebration of Black children. Children will see that if they look to their glorious past, embrace their present feelings, and reach for a bright future, there is much to hold close, and they can light up the world" -- Front jacket flap.