I am Martin Luther King Jr. (non-fiction)

I am Martin Luther King Jr.

By Brad Meltzer

This book is about the famous civil rights leader, Martin Luther Kking Jr. I persoanlly like this version compared to other non-fiction, biographies of King, because it gives some background information from his childhood. Like the first time he realized that there was something wrong, when he was not allowed to play with the white kids in the neighborhood, because of the difference in skin color. Of, course it does mention important speeches given, marches, and more specifically the Rosa Parks prtest that led to one of his many arrests in the fight for equality.

The book is classified as both non-fiction and a biography, but this is for my non-fiction selection. It gives accurate information about an event, which could be classified in the subject of social studies (Galda, 2010). This was a historical figure, which is the reason for the classification. The design of the book, as the textbook states is attractive with illustrations that compliment the text. The book also states that the style of writing "should be presented in an interesting or stimulating way (Galda, 2010)," and he formatted the illustrations as comic strips which I feel makes this interesting and stimulating for young readers, it really livens the text and adds to teh storyline by creating a dialogue, do to speak.

It is also organized quite well, in a timeline of events starting from childhood. Ideas are developed clearly and all information is accurate. The illustrations, like I said, really add to the book. The illustrator uses represenational cartoon art in the form of a comic strip. The media and technique used is watercolors, with a light color palet.

Some ideas for incorporating nonficton activies into the classroom include: A character bubble chart that details information that later can be used to write an essay whith the prompt of What are the Characteristics of a Great Leader? Another idea is to have the students develop a timeline, using information from teh source or other sources to map out events important in the life of MLK, and his fight for equality. I think that this chart, should be turned into a large timeline for a class project, using pictures, data, dates, and art that represent MLK's work.

Resources:

Lee Galda, B. E. (2010). Literature and the Child. 7th Ed. Belmont: Wadworth. Cenage.

Meltzer, B. (2016). I am Martin Luther King Jr.  New York: Penguin Random House.