Carter Reads the Newspaper

The true story of a boy born to formerly enslaved parents who reads the newspaper aloud to his father every day, then carries that hunger for knowledge into the coal mines and beyond, eventually transforming how the world understands Black history.

For the kid who asks a hundred questions and won't let a single one go unanswered, this is the true story of a boy whose curiosity turned into a life's work.

• Big idea: Curiosity is a form of devotion — reading to someone you love can be the first step toward changing history itself.
• Vibes: Reverent, quietly inspiring, rooted in real history

• are curious about real people who changed the world
• enjoy picture book biographies
• are working on understanding why history and knowledge matter
• respond well to stories about family and perseverance

• Story detail: Why did Carter read the newspaper to his father every single day?
• Character connection: What did Oliver Jones ask Carter to do in the coal mines, and why do you think that mattered so much to Carter?
• Real-life connection: Is there someone in your family you like to read to, or who reads to you?
• Big ideas: Why do you think learning about the past was so important to Carter?
• Imagination: If you could research any story from history that hasn't been told yet, what would you want to find out?