Book Summary:
This biography tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life. It starts from the day he was born to beyond the day he died. Most of the book is set in the time of the civil rights movement.Throughout the book, it incorporates the actual words that King used in his speeches.
APA Reference of Book:
Rappaport, D. (2007). Martin's big words. New York, NY:
Hyperion Book CH
Impressions:
I thought this biography was really profound. I loved how actual quotes from Martin Luther King Jr. were used throughout the story (it made me feel like I truly knew his heart for others and peace). I loved that his words were written in bold font that was a different color than the rest of the story - this made these words "pop" from the page. I also enjoyed the lyrical text.
The story itself is powerful. It made me emotional because I was thinking about how times must have been like during the civil rights movement, and of course I was sad when I came to the page that said he was shot and died (even though I already knew this outcome). I read this story to my first graders, and a silence fills the room when I get to this part of the book. They don't understand why he was shot when he was trying to bring peace to others.
I also really enjoyed the artwork. The illustrator uses water color and cut paper collages as well as different patterns and textures to create life-like images. The illustrations really bring the story to life!
I think this book would be great for all ages (even up to high schoolers) because it could get children talking about that time period, fairness, and the qualities of a good leader. The book also shows how a person's words can live on and effect people still today.
Professional Review:
"When it comes to educating and enlightening children about momentous historical events, there can never be too many books published about the Civil Rights era, and the people that championed the cause in America. Though there were several prominent leaders in the Civil Rights movement, none is more recognized and honored than Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His legacy and story is, indeed, inspiration and well worth re-telling.
In the book Martin's Big Words, author Doreen Rppaport briefly buy pointedly describes the life of Dr. King, starting with his boyhood days of reading "White Only" signs in his hometown of Atlanta and moving on to his discovery of nonviolent protest, which became the hallmark of his movement.
An award-winning author of several juvenile books about multicultural history, Rappaport includes some of the key moments of Dr. King's life, as well as those of the Civil Rights era like the Montgomery bus boycotts. These highlights are offered in a language and tone that are easy to read. In fact, the book is a wonderful introduction to Dr. King and his times; and it is designed to stir further discussions about this turbulent time in our history. As a bonus, Rappaport adds quotes from Dr. King's letters and speeches to nearly all the passages.
One of the most delightful components of this biography, however, is Bryan Collier's dramatic illustrations. Collier, who has also won several awards for his work, has captured the peaceful spirit of Dr. King with zestful watercolor and cut paper collages that appear almost three-dimensional.
Although Martin's Big Words is a quick read, its message is truly uplifting."
Reynolds, C. V. (2002). Martin's big words book review. [Review
of the book Martin's Big Words, by D. Rappaport]. Black
Issue Book Review, 4(1), p. 80. Retrieved from http://libpro
xy.library.unt.edu:9443/login?url=http://search.ebscohost.c
om/login.aspx?direct=ture&db=brd&AN=503847719&scop
e=site
Library Uses:
During black history month, this book could be used to discuss the qualities of good leaders from the past and how that affects good leaders of today. The book can also be used to talk about the importance of the words we use and how they can make lasting impacts.
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