I have a dream The story of Martin Luther King

Gr 2-4I Have a Dream follows the standard juvenile biography format, tracing King's life from his childhood days in Atlanta to his tragic death in Memphis. The text is sprinkled with familiar black-and-white photographs of varying quality garnered from the wire services and newspaper photographers. Although Davidson does not take any liberties with the facts, she uses quotation marks quite liberally, making dialogue that couldn't possibly have been recorded completely accurately come across as a literal rendering. I Have a Dream is similar to, but more expansive than, both Bains' Martin Luther King (Troll, 1985) and Hunter's Martin Luther King, Jr. (Bookwright Pr, 1985). Tom S. Hurlburt, Minneapolis Public Library (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

An inspiring portrait of a man who changed the course of American history. King's impact on the country is still felt today, and Davidson skillfully builds the dramatic course of events to such a peak that readers may forget this is a history book. The author first shows the early influences that helped to shape King's life. His father, son of a share-cropper, was keenly aware of the subtleties of segregation and prejudice, and pointed them out early to young Martin. As a seminary student, King studied the works and teachings of Christ, Martin Luther, Thoreau, Gandhi, and Douglass, among others. Brief quotes from original sources convey how King came to adopt the use of nonviolence and revolution based on love to effect change. Beginning the civil rights movement in Montgomery, Alabama, with a bus boycott, King leads a long, hard fight against the backdrop of bombings and threats on his own life (as well as his family's). Yet he holds to his convictions, all the while preaching nonviolence and love. His first victory spurs him to lead sit-ins at segregated lunch counters. Young children and students join in the marches and protests, and when the opposition uses violent means to stop them, they are foisted into the spotlight of the national media. President Kennedy introduces a strong civil fights bill to Congress, King wins the Nobel Peace Prize, and he begins his war on poverty when his life is tragically ended by an assassin's bullet. Well documented, clearly written, and illustrated with captivating photos, this involving yet simple presentation will invite further reading on the subject. An excellent introduction to King, as well as a good book for adult literacy programs. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.