Ed Clayton

Too many books about civil rights leaders as untouchable and almost god like. This book doesn't do that and I appreciate how much more realistic and down to earth this book is in talking about Martin Luther King. It covers some of his youth as well as the more publicly known acts as a civil rights leader. It humanizes him and explains his full-life versus just the acts such as Selma, voting rights act, etc. I appreciate this more nuanced view and I think it helps children identify and understand they can grow into these roles as leaders as well.

The book is simple enough for an advanced third-grader to read and understand, especially with question and answer conversations. The artwork is nicely done and can help to break up some of the reading for a young reader and prompt conversation around it as well. This would be a great addition to a school classroom or library.… (more)

“Martin Luther King: The Peaceful Warrior” was an updated version of the book that was published in 1964. It is a relevant today as it was then. The events which were significant to Dr King's cause were outlined in accessible prose, a result, no doubt, of the author's years of experience as a journalist.

I appreciated finding out the facts behind the myth. I now have a better understanding of Martin Luther King's crusade and the price that he and, those who supported him, paid to bring change.… (more)