Barbershop Books

🚲 On Our Bikes by Dan Saks

From balance bikes to two-wheelers, biking can be a joyful part of growing up. On Our Bikes celebrates the milestones, freedom, and community of bike riding.

📖 Ages 4–8

🚦 Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan

Toad and his tow truck are always ready to help.

Toad follows the rules, waits for the green light, and never makes mistakes… until he does. This funny and thoughtful story reminds young readers that everyone makes mistakes, and what matters most is how we fix them.

📖 Ages 4–8

🏊 The Pool Is Cool by Dwayne Reed

A father, a son, and one big step toward confidence.

With rhyming text and bright summer illustrations, The Pool Is Cool is a tender story about overcoming fear, trying something new, and learning one stroke at a time. It’s a great read for confident swimmers and reluctant swimmers alike.

📖 Ages 4–8

🎒 Big Kids by K.L. Going⁠
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Starting somewhere new can feel exciting and a little scary.⁠
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Big Kids is a vibrant back-to-school story about first-day nerves, new experiences, and the big buddies young readers may meet along the way. With humor, empathy, and energetic illustrations by Reggie Brown, this picture book reminds children that growing up comes with new friendships and new confidence.⁠
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📖 Ages 4–8⁠
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Our 23rd book list is here! 📚✨

This month’s picks are full of first-day-of-school feelings, swimming confidence, bike rides, tow truck adventures, spooky goldfish, animal facts, graphic novel chaos, superheroes, and soccer dreams.

Featured books:
📚 Big Kids by K.L. Going
📚 The Pool Is Cool by Dwayne Reed
📚 Toad on the Go by Jashar Awan
📚 On Our Bikes by Dan Saks
📚 The Haunted Goldfish by Joe McGee
📚 Would You Rather Be?: A Black Bear or a Black Mamba by Jerry Pallotta
📚 InvestiGators: Weather or Not by John Patrick Green
📚 Kid Flash: Going Rogue by Steve Fox and Jerry Ga***rd
📚 The Academy by T.Z. Layton
📚 I Am Kylian: A True Story of an International Soccer Champion by Kylian Mbappé

Use the link below to explore all 10 books, then share this list with a parent, caregiver, educator, or young reader!

➡️ https://barbershopbooks.org/2026/08/10-books-that-inspire-black-boys-to-read-list-23/

🌌 Rodeo Hawkins and the Daughters of Mayhem by John Claude Bemis

When Sidney Poblocki runs away from home, he lands in a multiverse-sized mystery involving interdimensional assassins, erased memories, and a fearless gang called the Daughters of Mayhem.

Fast-paced, funny, and full of unexpected twists, this adventure is perfect for readers who enjoy strange worlds, big mysteries, and nonstop action.

📖 Ages 9–12

We’re hiring a full-time Program Assistant! ✨️

Barbershop Books is seeking an entry-level Program Assistant to support our New York City barbershop network. This role will help build relationships with participating barbershops, conduct in-person site visits, organize program materials, support community events, and help maintain welcoming reading spaces for children.

This is a great opportunity for someone who is passionate about education, community outreach, nonprofit programming, and helping children build positive relationships with reading.

📍 New York City
💼 Full-time
💰 $45,000/year + Health benefits and 401(k) employer match
📅 Start Date: October 1, 2026
⏰ Application Deadline: August 27, 2026

Apply ➡️ https://ideali.st/Ef3n4K

Reading for fun starts with positive experiences. 📚

At Zafir’s Ramadan Oasis Barber Shop in Philadelphia, this young reader is discovering a book while getting a haircut. Moments like this help children connect reading to comfort, community, and joy.

That’s why Barbershop Books places books in barbershops and supports barbers as reading role models.

💈: 6600 N Gratz St, Philadelphia⁠

🎬 Black History Heroes: Chadwick Boseman by Chris Singleton and Ryan G. Van Cleave

Before Chadwick Boseman became an internationally celebrated actor, years of hard work, creativity, and dedication shaped his journey.

This inspiring biography introduces young readers to his life, career, and lasting cultural impact, from Howard University to some of his most memorable roles.

📖 Ages 9–12

⚡ Alex Wise vs. the Gods of the Apocalypse by Terry J. Benton-Walker

Saving the world was only the beginning. Now Alex Wise must take on an even bigger challenge and protect the entire multiverse.

The third book in this thrilling fantasy series is filled with action, danger, adventure, and a young hero learning to trust his own strength.

📖 Ages 9–12