Module 12 - Martin's Big Words

Courtesy of childrensbookalmanac.com

Book Summary:
This children's book gives an easy to understand accounting of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.  It isn't very detailed, but it does cover some of the more important facts and dates of his life.  It begins with a few events from his childhood and moves through to his death.  The illustrations in this book enhance the details being told in this story.

APA Reference:

 Rappaport, D. (2001). Martin's big words. New York, NY: Hyperion Books for Children.

My Impressions:
This is a good children's book.  It's easy to read and understand.  It is also very informative.  It focuses on
 the most important events in Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life.  Students will enjoy how the illustrations enhance
the facts.  With Martin Luther King, Jr. being such an important part of history, it is important that students of
ages know of him and his accomplishments.  This book makes that possible for younger students.

Professional Review:

This inspiring picture-book biography celebrates the great leader as a preacher and politician. The spare narrative, accompanied by powerful art, captures the essentials of the man, the movement he led, and his policy of nonviolence. Also see My Brother Martin by King's sister, Christine King Farris (Simon & Schuster, 2003), Martin Luther King Jr. and the March on Washington by Frances E. Ruffin (Grosser, 2001), and Walter Dean Myers' I've Seen the Promised Land (HarperCollins, 2004).

Professional Review Reference:

Harms, J., & Lettow, L. (2008). Martin's big words. Book Links, 17(3), 39.

Library Uses:
This book would be perfect for a book display during Black History Month.  It would also be a good book
to used for a scavenger hunt in the library when looking for information on Influential African Americans.