A Lesson for Martin Luther King Jr. (Ready-to-Read. Level 2) [Paperback]

Denise Lewis Patrick (Author), Rodney S. Pate (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Ready-to-Read. Level 2

Level 2: Reading Independently

• More complex stories

• Varied sentence structure

• Paragraphs and short chapters

Young Martin Luther King Jr. is having some problems with his best friend, Bobby. First, they are going to different schools this year. Next, Bobby's dad is not letting his son play with Martin. When Martin learns why, he is confused and hurt -- but he learns a lesson that he will never forget.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

K-Gr. 2. Like Jacqueline Woodson's picture book The Other Side (2001), Patrick's quiet story, part of the Ready-to-Read Childhood of Famous Americans series, tells of childhood friendship threatened by adult prejudice at the time of segregation. This happens to be a true story--about a boy who grew up to be the great civil rights leader. The spare text tells how Martin's white friend says they can't play together anymore: "Papa says colored and white can't mix." True to the period, Pate's realistic pastel illustrations show Martin's loneliness when his friend turns away from him. In contrast is the warm support in Martin's family. They talk about segregation, his dad says that "friendship has no color," and Martin decides that he will change the rules and change people's minds. The spare text and moving pictures bring home the hard lesson, the hurt of the child, and the strength Martin found. Hazel Rochman
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Simon Spotlight; Original edition (December 2, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689853971
• ISBN-13: 978-0689853975
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,984 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #81 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Children's Books > People & Places > Biographies > Religious

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An accurate and compelling little story, February 15, 2007

By 

L. Stein - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: A Lesson for Martin Luther King Jr. (Ready-To-Read:) (Library Binding)

This book is beautifully drawn and simple, yet, effective in its storytelling. It doesn't portray Martin's family as being poor even though it doesn't mention that Martin's father is a minister. But that's not what the story's about. The point, I think, is to look at Martin Luther King, Jr. as an average little boy who's story is all too common of that era.
It's a story about prejudice impacting a kid. In the end Martin does say he wants to change things, and I'm sure kids' will put two and two together, but it's not a biography. It's a description of a life-changing scene from childhood.