Black History Heroes: George Washington Carver

Patricia Pete grew up in Sarasota, Florida, and earned a BFA in film from Ringling College of Art and Design. A lifelong storyteller, she finds inspiration in narratives from the factual to the fantastical. When she’s not writing, she enjoys journaling, reading, and taking dramatic close-up photos of food.


Ryan G. Van Cleave is the author of more than 100 books for children and adults, including fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. He earned a PhD in American literature and has taught writing for more than twenty years. As The Picture Book Doctor™, he helps creators bring kidlit projects to life on the page, stage, and screen. He believes good stories begin with curiosity. Root beer helps, too.


Sona & Jacob is an illustration studio whose work blends artistic versatility with a love of storytelling. Drawing from a variety of traditional and digital techniques, the studio creates illustrations ranging from whimsical and painterly to graphic and contemporary. Their work has appeared in children's publishing and other creative projects around the globe.

FEATURE: Top 10 New Series Nonfiction: 2025
Whether shining a light on noteworthy figures or events in history or helping young readers navigate the wider world, these new series tackle their topics in a particularly effective manner. All were reviewed in Booklist between April 1, 2024, and March 2025.

Black History Heroes (Bushel Peck; 2 titles)

Gr. 3–5. Though this series currently only boasts two titles (one on Chadwick Boseman, the other on Mae Jemison), these biographies provide nicely in-depth coverage of their subjects. Simple but thoughtful writing, inspiring quotes, and grayscale illustrations help bring these inspiring, multifaceted individuals to life.—Julia Smith, Booklist