I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. and Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

New and Fabulous

I Am Martin Luther King, Jr. is a new story from Brad Melzer, illustrated by Christopher Eliopoulos. It tells King’s story from his own point of view – first person narrative. And it starts from when MLK was just a little boy having experiences that any little boy might have. The result makes me as a reader feel like I’m sitting at the kitchen table having coffee with Dr. King, hearing his reminisces about his life. Very approachable. Pegged for ages 5-8.

Oldie but Goodie

Martin’s Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. by Doreen Rappaport, illustrated by Bryan Collier, focuses on the power of words as used by Dr. King to create change. Key details of MLK’s life give structure to snippets from his speeches that moved people to support civil rights for blacks in America. The subtext stresses the power of literacy, of speech, of the written word – a timeless message to pass on to all of our children. For ages 5 and up.