Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Big Words)

by Doreen Rappaport (Author) Bryan Collier (Illustrator)

Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (Big Words)
Reading Level: 4th − 5th Grade
Series: Big Words
This definitive picture book biography of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is an unforgettable portrait of a man whose dream changed America--and the world--forever.
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Publishers Weekly

This picture-book biography provides an ideal introduction to this leader and his works. Juxtaposing original text with quotes from King's writing and speeches, Rappaport's (Escape from Slavery) narrative offers a pastiche of scenes from King's life, beginning with his childhood experience of seeing "White Only" signs sprinkled throughout his hometown. He questions his mother about their meaning, and she assures him, "You are as good as anyone." Listening to his father preach, the boy asserts that "When I grow up, I'm going to get big words, too." Rappaport also touches upon King's role in the Montgomery bus strike that followed Rosa Park's 1955 arrest for refusing to give up her seat to a white passenger and his subsequent efforts as a civil rights crusader. After briefly describing the circumstances of his death, the story concludes, quite abruptly, with the statement, "His big words are alive for us today." The author relies on her subject's own words, and his power, passion and pacifism shine through. Collier's (Uptown) striking watercolor and cut paper collage art feature closely focused, lifelike images of King and other individuals against an inventive montage of patterns and textures. The portraits of King exude his spiritual strength and peaceful visage. In the background of some scenes are intricate recreations of stained glass windows, which, Collier explains in an introductory note, he interprets as a metaphor for King's life. An elegant, understated pictorial biography. Ages 5-9. (Sept.) Copyright 2001 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

School Library Journal

Starred Review
Gr 3-5-Collier combines his distinctive watercolor-and-collage art with Rappaport's uncluttered text to sum up King's life and work. Each two-page spread begins with a short paragraph about King and his crusade for civil rights, followed by a powerful sample of his own words set in oversized, boldface type. Both portions of the succinct text work together to emphasize the leader's courage, commitment, and, ultimately, sacrifice without sensationalizing his death. King's assassination during the 1968 Memphis garbage strike is summed up in just two short sentences: "On his second day there, he was shot. He died." The book concludes with a reassuring reminder that his words are immortal. Rappaport advises readers to use "Martin Luther King" as the search term to find more than 200 Web sites dedicated to King and the civil rights movement. Both author and illustrator preface the book with brief notes to explain specific aspects of King's life and death that inspired them in their collaboration. The result is a stunning, reverent tribute.-Catherine Threadgill, DeKalb County Public Library, Atlanta, GA Copyright 2001 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.
Doreen Rappaport
Doreen Rappaport has written numerous award-winning books for children, including Freedom Ship and The School Is Not White (both illustrated by Curtis James); Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., a Caldecott Honor Book and Coretta Scott King Honor Book illustrated by Bryan Collier; and John's Secret Dreams: The Life of John Lennon, also illustrated by Bryan Collier.

London Ladd has illustrated a number of children's books, including the award-winning March On! The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World by Christine King Farris, Under the Freedom Tree by Susan VanHecke, and Lend a Hand by John Frank. He teaches art at an inner-city after-school program, and hopes to one day open an art center so that families can develop projects of their own. He lives and creates in Syracuse, New York. Visit him at londonladd.com.
Classification
Non-fiction
ISBN-13
9781423106357
Lexile Measure
610
Guided Reading Level
S
Publisher
Jump at the Sun
Publication date
December 18, 2007
Series
Big Words
BISAC categories
JNF007050 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Cultural Heritage
JNF007080 - Juvenile Nonfiction | Biography & Autobiography | Religious
Library of Congress categories
History
African Americans
Civil rights workers
United States
20th century
Civil rights
King, Martin Luther
Baptists
Clergy
Caldecott Medal
Honor Book 2002 - 2002
Coretta Scott King Award
Honor Book 2002 - 2002
South Carolina Childrens, Junior and Young Adult Book Award
Nominee 2003 - 2004
Red Clover Award
Nominee 2003 - 2003
Monarch Award
Nominee 2005 - 2005
Charlotte Award
Nominee 2004 - 2004
Black-Eyed Susan Award
Nominee 2002 - 2003
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Winner 2002 - 2002
Orbis Pictus Award
Honor Book 2002 - 2002

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