Courtney BakerReviews

Easy to read biography

Young readers will learn the ways that racism shaped Martin Luther King, Jr.'s early years, and how his reactions helped him become a leader who changed our world. 32 pages, Grade 1-2 level.

Summary
Rosa McCauley married Raymond Parks and they were active leaders in a segregation group. Rosa helped African Americans pass a test that allowed them to vote. Rosa refused to give up her seat on the bus to a white man and was placed in jail. African Americans refused to ride the bus and M.L. King Jr. presented speeches about Rosa and segregation. Rosa’s case went to the Supreme Court and the laws were changed to stop segregation.

Personal Reaction
Growing up I was always told life was not fair. When I began learning about segregation in school I was shocked to hear how African Americans were treated. When I feel down and I want to throw myself a pity party I remember what African Americans and others went through to be treated equally. After remembering what they overcame my issue seems to disappear.

Extension Ideas:
1.I would read this book during black history month and discuss segregation and the trails African Americans had to overcome to be treated equally.
2.I would read books about the leaders of segregation and explain how their efforts promoted equal rights.
3. I would explain how Rosa Parks and M. L. King Jr. are heroes and let the students draw pictures of their heroes.

Martin Luther King, Jr. grew up in the South and it was there that he learned about racism. He became a leader and taught the world about equality. Young readers will learn his story and why we still celebrate this man and his dream today.

This is a very nice book for young readers to practice their skills. The situation is one children can easily relate to and it includes some gentle humor. For example, once the main character pictures all of her siblings' pet criteria in her mind--she envisions some kind of friendly monster as their pet.

This book would be a great read a loud for a library story time. It could be followed by activities where children draw their own pet or draw their desired "perfect pet." Other animal books could be on display, both fiction and non-fiction. Depending on the age of the patrons, they could also write about the qualities that make their own pet perfect for their family (of the qualities they would want in a pet.)

The Rosa Park biography is about an African American woman who makes a change with racial discrimination in America. Rosa Parks has been a great inspiration to me ever since I was young, she taught people to stand for what is right. I would defiantly introduce this biography to the student to read about exceptional people who made positive change. Also, teaching the children to treat people with respect regardless of the color of their skin.

This book has some very interesting facts about the life of Mr. King. Children could get a lot out of this book because it talks about some of the trials that black people had to go through.

I like this book because it has ideas and facts about things that really happened in the past with Afican Americans.

The children could be assigned quotes from the book and write them and decorate them on a larger sheet of paper. They could also write abou how they thought it would have been in those days.

This book is obviously about MLK, it had alot of interesting facts some that I didn't even know of. Some major points in the book were he became a leader to many people, he taught them about equaity. Where and when he was growing up there was racism. He had a dream that this racism would end forever.

I like this book because it showed how MLK was such a determined person, he fought for what he believed in, which lead him to his death.

In the classroom, I would have the children reflect on paper what new facts they learned about MLK.

GR: M
GL: 2.4
DRA: 24
Lexile: 550L