In honor of Black History Month, the Bucks County Free Library highlighted some of the recent additions to its collection penned by African American writers, writes Jeff Werner for the Patch.

Nearly half a century since President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month, the aim is to reflect on immense accomplishments made by Black Americans while also recognizing the challenges they continue to face today.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store is Lambertville-based James McBride’s latest New York Times bestselling novel. The story is set in Pottstown and revolves around an African American and immigrant community’s struggle to survive.

Jean Toomer, who has been living in Bucks County for the past three decades, is best known for “Cane“, his groundbreaking novel which is considered a classic of the Harlem Renaissance as well as modernist literature. Toomer recently retired from writing and is now an active member of the Doylestown Friends Meeting.

Meanwhile, the latest issue of Neshaminy Journal, the Bucks County historical and literary journal, contains an exclusive interview with Executive Director of the African American Museum of Bucks County Linda Salley.

Read more about the Bucks County Free Library in the Patch.

James McBridge discusses the themes in his new novel, ‘The Heaven and Earth Grocery Story’