Title: Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Author: Doreen Rappaport
illustrator: Bryan Collier
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Year of Publication: 2001
Genre: Non-fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Reviews: Horn Book-1, Kirkus Starred Review
Summary: Martin's Big Words tells the life story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This book shows how much he helped the African Americans and changed many racist views.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Both the Horn Book and Kirkus Reviews loved the collage illustrations in the story. They thought the story was stronger because of the quotes from Martin. Horn Book states that, "The text is a mix of finely honed biographical narrative and appropriate quotes from King himself, emphasizing the concept that from his youth Martin had sought to inspire others with his words."
Review by Lauren Miller: I found this book to be very authentic because Martin's quotes were incorporated throughout. Hearing the story from his point of view, gives the reader a different perspective. I was saddened by the injustice the African Americans felt, but hopeful that Martin Luther would change that. The book highlights the main events in his life. I really enjoyed how it showed why he was inspired to change racial views as a child. The illustrations were great assets to the text. They looked like they were designed on a computer to create a collage effect. Whenever one of Martin's quotes was written, it was enlarged and in another color, showing it's importance.
This book would be useful when teaching:
Author: Doreen Rappaport
illustrator: Bryan Collier
Publisher: Hyperion Books for Children
Year of Publication: 2001
Genre: Non-fiction
Horn Book or Kirkus Reviews: Horn Book-1, Kirkus Starred Review
Summary: Martin's Big Words tells the life story of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This book shows how much he helped the African Americans and changed many racist views.
Summary of Professional Reviews: Both the Horn Book and Kirkus Reviews loved the collage illustrations in the story. They thought the story was stronger because of the quotes from Martin. Horn Book states that, "The text is a mix of finely honed biographical narrative and appropriate quotes from King himself, emphasizing the concept that from his youth Martin had sought to inspire others with his words."
Review by Lauren Miller: I found this book to be very authentic because Martin's quotes were incorporated throughout. Hearing the story from his point of view, gives the reader a different perspective. I was saddened by the injustice the African Americans felt, but hopeful that Martin Luther would change that. The book highlights the main events in his life. I really enjoyed how it showed why he was inspired to change racial views as a child. The illustrations were great assets to the text. They looked like they were designed on a computer to create a collage effect. Whenever one of Martin's quotes was written, it was enlarged and in another color, showing it's importance.
This book would be useful when teaching:
- about Martin Luther King and his life. Teachers could incorporate this book into the classroom during the month of January for Black History Month.
- about segregation. This lesson could be taught in a social studies class about what was going on during this time and why it is important.