Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Title: Martin's Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Author: Doreen Rappaport
# of Pages: 40

Published by:Hyperion Book CH; Reprint Edition (December 18, 2007)
Age Range: 5 and up
Grade Level: K and up

This is a picture book biography about the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. This is a perfect book to use to introduce this great leader and his works. This book incorporates writing from the author Doreen Rappaport, but also uses direct words and quotes from Dr. Martin Luther King to enhance the text. Martin Luther King is seen as a young boy growing up in the South, which was very segregated at the time. The book follows him through his adulthood. His father once told him that he could use his big words to change the world. Martin is inspired by his father to become a preachers. Martin wants to use his words and works to create equality for all people. They show how he wanted peaceful protest and many of the great things that he did. The end of this book contains a timeline of all the important dates in Martin Luther King's lifetime.

This book provides accurate information about Dr. Martin Luther King, but it is presented in a way that young readers can understand. The images and direct quotes greatly enhance the text. The timeline at the end of the book is also very beneficial because it allows for students to see everything he did in a very organized manner. This is a great book to read on Martin Luther King day, or the week before to your class so they can better understand who he is and how he changed America. The facts are accurate and this is a perfect Non-Fiction book that is also an autobiography of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King.

Classroom Activities and Lesson Ideas:

• Have students create their own book of big words 
• Word Mover App to use Martin Luther King's words to great a poem
• Think about the future lesson
• Make a class dream mobile as seen below: 

Here is the book trailer: