We March

Author & Illustrator:   Shane W. Evans
Publisher:  Roaring Brook Press
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Lawson McGhee

Awards:   Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, Charlotte Zolotow Award / Highly Commended, Jane Addams Award, Kirkus Reviews Best Books, Capitol Choices Noteworthy Titles for Children and Teens

Summary:  In August 1963, an African American family wakes up early to get ready to march. They pray for strength, make signs, and board buses heading for Washington DC. They walk with people of all kinds and sing. They are filled with hope and lean on each other. They march for justice and freedom. Evan's full-page paintings are beautiful and match the simple text perfectly.

Classroom Ideas: A classroom study of the Civil Rights movement and the life of Martin Luther King Jr.

Extras: author's note talking about the march where MLKJr. made his most historic speech

I Have a Dream

Author: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Illustrator:   Kadir Nelson
Publisher:  schwartz & wade books
Publication Year:   2012
Location: Knox County Public Library- Powell

Awards:   Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, Starred review Kirkus

Summary:  The familiar timeless words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "dream" speech are beautifully illustrated with Nelson's oil paintings. The paintings are stately and striking. It's hard to choose a favorite, but I gasped at the two page spread of a sunrise in the mountains and loved the panels of the seasons across the country.

Classroom Ideas: Obviously, this would work for a classroom study of civil rights or to celebrate MLKJr. Day. There is also an LA objective about understanding the audience of a speech.