Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Reading List January 16, 2017
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DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. DAY READING LIST JANUARY 16, 2017 Brooklyn Children’s Museum (BCM) works to ensure that all children have access to cultural learning opportunities that build empathy, encourage creative thought and problem solving, and inspire global citizenship. We believe in the power of culture to help children and families find comfort, resilience and stimulation. We are launching a series of booklists curated by The Conscious Kid National Children’s Social Justice Library, an organization that promotes multicultural literacy, anti-bias and empowerment through access to diverse children’s books. All books featured in this reading list support our commitment to cultural learning and will be available to read at BCM throughout the month of January. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 “Dr. King’s legacy lives with all of us. His example stands as a glowing light for us to follow. And it is to the mountaintop of idealism, and of hope for justice, that we look to find his image still.” -Walter Dean Myers THE MEANING OF THE KING HOLIDAY BY CORETTA SCOTT KING The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday celebrates the life and legacy of a man who brought hope and healing to America. We commemorate the timeless values he taught us through his example — the values of courage, truth, justice, compassion, dignity, humility and service that so radiantly defined Dr. King’s character and empowered his leadership. On this holiday, we commemorate the universal, unconditional love, forgiveness and nonviolence that empowered his revolutionary spirit. We commemorate Dr. King’s inspiring words, because his voice and his vision filled a great void in our nation, and answered our collective longing to become a country that truly lived by its noblest principles. Yet, Dr. King knew that it wasn’t enough just to talk the talk, that he had to walk the walk for his words to be credible. And so we commemorate on this holiday the man of action, who put his life on the line for freedom and justice every day. No other day of the year brings so many people from different cultural backgrounds together in such a vibrant spirit of brother and sisterhood—and it is the young people of all races and religions who hold the keys to the fulfillment of his dream. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 I HAVE A DREAM Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Paintings by Kadir Nelson From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s daughter, Dr. Bernice A. King: “My father’s dream continues to live on from generation to generation, and this beautiful and powerful illustrated edition of his world-changing "I Have a Dream" speech brings his inspiring message of freedom, equality, and peace to the youngest among us—those who will one day carry his dream forward for everyone.” The themes of equality and freedom for all are not only relevant today, 50 years later, but also provide young readers with an important introduction to our nation's past. Included with the book is an audio CD of the speech.” Ages 7 & up. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 MARTIN & MAHALIA: HIS WORDS, HER SONG Andrea Davis Pinkney, Illustrated by Brian Pinkney On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, and his strong voice and powerful message were joined and lifted in song by world-renowned gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. It was a moment that changed the course of history and is imprinted in minds forever. Told through Andrea Davis Pinkney's poetic prose and Brian Pinkney's evocative illustration, the stories of these two powerful voices and lives are told side-by-side—as they would one day walk—following the journey from their youth to a culmination at this historical event when they united as one and inspiring kids to find their own voices and speak up for what is right. Ages 7-10. BELLE, THE LAST MULE AT GEE’S BEND: A CIVIL RIGHTS STORY Calvin Alexander Ramsey, Illustrated by John Holyfield A true story inspires the moving tale of a mule that played a key role in the civil rights movement—and a young boy who sees history anew. When African Americans in a farming community—inspired by a visit from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.—defied local authorities who were trying to stop them from registering to vote, many got around a long detour on mule-drawn wagons. Later, after Dr. King's assassination, two mules from Gee's Bend pulled the farm wagon bearing his casket through the streets of Atlanta, leading over 50,000 people marching in procession. Ages 5-8. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 I’VE SEEN THE PROMISED LAND: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. Walter Dean Myers, Illustrated by Leonard Jenkins Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is one of the most celebrated figures of the twentieth century. Set against key moments of the civil rights movement, here is the story of the powerful, eloquent spiritual leader and his belief that nonviolence could be used to overcome racial discrimination. Walter Dean Myers's moving narrative and Leonard Jenkins's compelling paintings convey a vivid and striking image of the man who moved American society closer to the ideals of freedom and fairness. Dr. King's dream that all Americans would be judged by their individual actions and character is one we still cherish today. Ages 4-8. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 MARTIN’S BIG WORDS: THE LIFE OF DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Doreen Rappaport, Illustrations by Bryan Collier This picture-book biography is an excellent and accessible introduction for young readers to learn about one of the world's most influential leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Doreen Rappaport weaves the immortal words of Dr. King into a captivating narrative to tell the story of his life. With stunning art by acclaimed illustrator Bryan Collier, Martin's Big Words is an unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America and the world forever. Ages 5-8. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 LOVE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH: MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.’S SIX GUIDING BELIEFS (AS TOLD BY HIS NIECE) Angela Farris Watkins, Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport The niece of Martin Luther King, Jr. reveals six timeless and universal principles that encompass the civil rights leader’s greatest legacy: Love will see you through. Growing up as the niece of Martin Luther King Jr., Angela Farris Watkins witnessed firsthand the principles and values that King practiced and lived by throughout his fight for equality. Drawing from experiences and episodes both personal and well-known, Dr. Watkins artfully details the guiding beliefs of one of the greatest men in history. Including “have courage” and “love your enemies,” these six hallmarks of virtue and nonviolence reinforce the truth that “the universe honors love” and will inspire readers of all ages. Ages 6-11. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 CORETTA SCOTT Poetry by Ntozake Shange, Paintings by Kadir Nelson Walking many miles to school in the dusty road, young Coretta Scott knew the unfairness of life in the segregated south. A yearning for equality began to grow. Together with Martin Luther King, Jr., she gave birth to a vision of change through nonviolent protest. It was the beginning of a journey—with dreams of freedom for all. A poetic and stunningly illustrated view of the Civil Rights Movement from the perspective of the woman who stood hand-in-hand with Martin Luther King Jr. in the fight for social justice. Ages 4-9. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 “When we learn about the Civil Rights movement...certain names always arise. For each of the names that we know, there are tens of thousands that we do not. And some of those overlooked names belong to children.” A SWEET SMELL OF ROSES Angela Johnson, Illustrated by Eric Velasquez There's a sweet, sweet smell in the air as two young girls sneak out of their house, down the street, and across town to where men and women are gathered, ready to march for freedom and justice. Inspired by countless children and young adults who took a stand, two Coretta Scott King honorees offer a heart-lifting glimpse of children's roles in the civil rights movement. Ages 3-8. MY BROTHER MARTIN: A SISTER REMEMBERS GROWING UP WITH THE REV. DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. Christine King Farris, Illustrated by Chris Soentpiet Long before he became a world-famous dreamer, Martin Luther King Jr. was a little boy who played jokes, practiced the piano and made friends without considering race. But growing up in the segregated south in the 1930s taught young Martin a bitter lesson—little white children and little black children were not to play with one another. Martin decided then and there that something had to be done. And so he began the journey that would change the course of American history. Ages 6-11. Brooklyn Children’s Museum • 145 Brooklyn Avenue, Brooklyn, NY • brooklynkids.org • (718) 735-4400 THE FOLLOWING BOOKS WERE WRITTEN BY DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., AND ARE RECOMMENDED FOR TEEN READERS: WHY WE CAN’T WAIT Martin Luther King, Jr.