Martin's Big Words

Martin's Big Words was written by Doreen Rappaport and illustrated by Bryan Collier. It was published by Hyperion Books for Children in 2009. It is a biography. The theme of the book is to stand up for what you believe in the most just way. The primary character is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The book is a Caldecott and Coretta Scott King award winner.

This book describes the impact of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. during the Civil Rights Movement. This book talks about how segregation effected him when he was younger and what made him decide to make a change. The book walks through his childhood and the many important times that he really became aware that he was treated unfairly. The book describes how his mother and father encouraged him, through their love and the Christian love, to make a change without creating violence. The book also discusses the important events through the Civil Rights Movement and leads to Dr. King's death in 1968.
I would use this book as a part of our history lesson. This book is a good way for students to learn about the major events of the Civil Rights Movement. Because this book is written for their audience, the students would really learn more and have a better understanding of what really happened. The book discusses Dr. King's childhood which would allow the students to relate more to how Dr. King felt as a child going through this terrible time. This book would also offer students with ways to solve problems without creating anger and violence.