March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World [Hardcover]

Christine King Farris (Author), London Ladd (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 9 and up | Grade Level: 4 and up

Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, sister remembers the March on Washington.

From Dr. Martin Luther King's sister, the definitive tribute to the man, the march, and the speech that changed a nation.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Starred Review. Grade 1–4—How did the civil rights activist prepare what would become his most famous address? What was it like to be part of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, August 28, 1963? Dr. King's sister answers these questions, providing background about the organization of the march, a look at key events of the day, and insight into how King crafted the speech. Although he is depicted as older and more serious than the mischievous little boy portrayed in My Brother Martin (S & S, 2003), Farris's unique perspective on her subject continues to be compelling. She concentrates on the march and the effects of the speech. Some phrases in the text are printed in a larger font and in color, emphasizing important aspects and establishing an appealing rhythm for reading aloud. Ladd's acrylic paintings are an excellent accompaniment to the text. His use of color and varying perspectives creates a great deal of visual energy, extending the excitement of the event. An informative addition.—Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA
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From Booklist

This handsome picture book, told from the viewpoint of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s older sister, is a personal, celebratory account of the 1963 March on Washington. Farris tracks back to childhood, when she and her brother were raised to do good but not to brag about it. She also tells about the night before the march, when Dr. King stayed up to work on his speech until the very last minute, and a beautiful close-up portrait shows him, pen in hand, in his hotel room. The book’s main focus, though, is on the march itself. The author stayed with the King family in Atlanta and watched the events on TV, cheering every step of the way, and she describes with powerful detail the thousands who came, the leaders, the rights they fought for, and the power of their words. In his debut picture book, Ladd beautifully shows the historic crowd scenes and the portraits of King, the Big Six civil rights leaders, and gospel singer Mahalia Jackson. A stirring, intimate view of a watershed moment. Grades 2-5. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545035376
• ISBN-13: 978-0545035378
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 9.9 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #676,024 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #76 in Books > Children's Books > Biographies > Social Activists

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars He had a dream., December 18, 2008

By 

Sherry L. Mccormick "reading meema" (Gloucester Point, Va USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (Hardcover)

March On! is a powerful book. Relating how a dream slowly gained reality and became a foundation for major changes in our country must be done over and over. Ms. King covers her subject in a very simple, yet very clear manner. She's written in a way that children can feel and comprehend what happened. Mr. Ladd's illustrations clearly depict the fears, emotions and awe of what happened on the day of the March. I recommend it for all school libraries. My 9 year old granddaughter was delighted to find a copy on the bookshelf at her school after she had read our copy. This history must be passed on to future generations.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fine paintings by London Ladd accompany a poignant story of change and civil rights history, December 14, 2008

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (Hardcover)

From the sister of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. comes an account of how her brother wrote the landmark 'I Have a Dream' speech that was to change civil rights history - and that became the cornerstone of a march which was the first to be televised around the world. MARCH ON! THE DAY MY BROTHER MARTIN CHANGED THE WORLD offers fine paintings by London Ladd to accompany a poignant story of change and civil rights history.

5.0 out of 5 stars A Book for All Ages and All Times, December 5, 2008

By 

Deborah A. Beishline (Syracuse, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World (Hardcover)

This children's book should become a standard in every school library. The illustrations bring you right in to that day 40 years ago. You feel a part of the excitement.

The story of Dr. King's Dream speach needs to be told and understood by each new generation. We as a nation are getting closer to Dr. King's dream, but we still have a ways to go.

A GREAT Christmas present for any child on your list.