Families who loved Madam C. J. Walker Builds a Business by Denene Millner often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child expresses frustration with a difficult task or feels discouraged by limitations placed on them by others. It is an ideal choice for building a growth mindset and honoring Black history through the lens of entrepreneurship. This chapter book follows Sarah Breedlove, who would become Madam C. J. Walker, as she transforms her own struggle with hair loss into a revolutionary business empire. While it addresses the heavy realities of post-Reconstruction America and financial hardship, it maintains an empowering tone that emphasizes self-care, innovation, and community support. It is a perfect bridge for elementary readers moving from picture books to longer narratives who need to see that greatness begins with a single, hardworking idea.
