Tag Archives: Martin Luther King Jr.

Elem./MG – Because Claudette

Posted on by
Reply

Baptiste, Tracey. Because Claudette. Illustrated by Tonya Engle. Dial Books for Young Readers, 2022. 978-0-593-32640-4. $17.99. 32 p. Grades K-8.

On March 2, 1955, Claudette Colvin refused to give up her bus seat to a white woman and was arrested. She was 15 years old. Claudette’s small act of resistance led to a chain of events that culminated in the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Through her courageous act of civil disobedience, Claudette met Civil Rights activists and leaders who were inspired by her bravery to change segregation laws. Most students will have heard of Rosa Parks, but few know that she was inspired by a young teenager. This text is told in a very simple narrative with stunning oil and acrylic paintings by illustrator Tonya Engle. 

THOUGHTS: I did not know the story of Claudette Colvin prior to reading this book. The beauty of this narrative is how Baptiste shows a direct line from one small courageous act to a world-changing event. An excellent read aloud, and an important addition for elementary and middle school collections. 

Picture Book          Anne McKernan, Council Rock SD
Biography

MG – Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round: My Story of Making Martin Luther King Day

Posted on by
Reply

Kirkwood, Kathlyn J. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round: My Story of Making Martin Luther King Day. Versify, 2022. 978-0-358-38726-8. 114 p. $16.99. Grades 3-7.

When Kathlyn Kirkwood is 17 years old, she realizes that racial discrimination is still very much present, especially in the South. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is fighting for change, and Kathlyn wants to be part of the movement. In 1968, The Negro Memphis sanitation workers go on strike for better working conditions like the white sanitation workers already receive. Dr. King comes to Memphis to support and lead the march – and Kathlyn decides to join in. The peaceful protest turns deadly when they are attacked, and it turns into a riot. The next month, Dr. King returns to march again, and Kathlyn cannot wait. The day before, she heads to the mall with her sister when she hears the breaking news: Dr. King has been killed right in her hometown of Memphis. All of his supporters knew that Dr. King deserved a day to commemorate the sacrifices he made to fight bigotry and hatred. One congressman, John Conyers, agreed, and introduced a bill for a Martin Luther King, Jr. federal holiday. It did not pass. Years go by and millions of people across the country sign a petition for the holiday, but it still does not pass. Undeterred, Kathlyn and fellow supporters (including singer Stevie Wonder) march, petition, and speak up for Dr. King until they finally accomplish their goal – 15 years later!

THOUGHTS: Kathlyn Kirkwood writes about this historical moment in lyrical verse paired with photographs, newspaper articles, flyers, and her own experiences. This is an important story for middle grade students to read and a must-buy for libraries.

Memoir           Danielle Corrao, Manheim Central SD
Novel in Verse

Elem – Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott

Posted on by
Reply

Rockliff, Mara. Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Random House Studio, 2022. 978-1-524-72064-3. $18.99. Grades 2-4.

Georgia Gilmore was cooking away when the news broke that Rosa Parks was arrested because she would not let a white man sit in her seat on the public bus. The outrage was loud, with radios urging people to boycott the bus on December 5, 1955. Throughout the protests and concerns, Georgia continued to cook and feed the protesters and raise money for support. Even when Georgia herself was fired, she continued to cook to do her part to help support the movement that was so critical to her and many Americans.

THOUGHTS: A nicely illustrated biography about Georgia Gilmore and the help and support she gave throughout the bus boycott. She personally met Martin Luther King Jr. and received support from him throughout this important part of American history. Overall this book is a great view of the bus boycott of Montgomery through the eyes of a person readers may not know about.

323.092 Civil Rights Leaders          Rachel Burkhouse, Otto-Eldred SD
Biography
Picture Book