The first federal holiday of the new year honors Martin Luther King Jr., a man who some would assert was one of the greatest leaders and orators in American history. Born on January 15, 1929, King’s legal name, like his father’s, was Michael. Upon returning from a religious convention in Berlin, the senior King changed his name to Martin Luther, after the Protestant reformer. Michael Jr. eventually followed suit. Initially, King resisted going into the ministry, but after a more in-depth study of the scriptures, had a change of heart. By the age of 25, King had married Coretta Scott, became the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church, and earned his Ph.D. Shortly thereafter, he was appointed to lead “the first large-scale demonstration against segregation in the U.S.”—the Montgomery Bus Boycott. And the rest is history. Every year since 1986, the third Monday in January is recognized as Martin Luther King Day. This year it falls on January 18th. The books featured range from picture-to-young adult. Happy Reading!
My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Martin Luther King III
My Dream of Martin Luther King – Faith Ringgold
March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World – Christine King Farris
What's So Great About...? Martin Luther King Jr. - KaaVonia Hinton
The Story of Martin Luther King, Jr. - Johnny Ray Moore
Just For You! Singing for Dr. King – Angela Shelf Medearis
My Uncle Martin's Words for America: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Niece Tells How He Made a Difference - Angela Farris Watkins
I Have a Dream – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up with the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. – Christine King Farris
I've Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – Walter Dean Myers
Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song – Andrea Davis Pinkney
The Day Martin Luther King Jr. Was Shot – Jim Haskins
M.L.K.: The Journey of a King - Tonya Bolden
The Words of Martin Luther King, Jr. – Coretta Scott King
The Life and Death of Martin Luther King, Jr. – Jim Haskins
Martin Luther King Jr. - Dharathula Millender
My Life with Martin Luther King, Jr. – Coretta Scott King
Death of a King: The Real Story of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Final Year – Tavis Smiley
The Radical King – Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
A Testament of Hope: The Essential Writings of Martin Luther King Jr. – J. M. Washington (editor)
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr. – Clayborn Carson (editor)
