“The quality, not the longevity, of one’s life is what is important.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
The federal holiday honoring the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is observed on the third Monday in January. This year the 36th anniversary of the federal observance falls on January 17, 2022. Many people—family, friends, fellow activists, and even foes—have all shared their experiences, research, and opinions in countless books about King’s short but inspiring life. Out of the thousands of children’s books published, there are very few by Black authors. The list below features some about Dr. King, including three titles about Coretta Scott King. According to the Kings’ daughter Bernice King, “My mother made countless sacrifices so that her children – and all children – could grow up in a better nation and world,” so children’s books about her life are essential when honoring King.
Educators, parents, community leaders, etc. if you are looking for books to share for the upcoming King holiday, this list is a start. For more book choices for your home or classroom, see “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Coretta Scott King” on the Our Stories Matter Bookshop Page.
1. Ain’t Gonna Let Nobody Turn Me ‘Round: My Story of the Making of Martin Luther King Day
Kathlyn J. Kirkwood | Steffi Walthall | Versify | 2022 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
2. She Persisted: Coretta Scott King
Kelly Starling Lyons | Gillian Flint | Philomel Books | 2022 | Chp Bk | Amazon | IndieBound
3. The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers
Christine Platt | Rockridge Press | 2021 | ChpBk | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
4. Trailblazers: Martin Luther King, Jr.: Fighting for Civil Rights
Christine Platt | Random House BYR | 2020 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
5. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (A True Book: National Parks)
Christine Taylor-Butler | Children’s Press | 2019 | ChpBk | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
6. Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You
Carole Boston Weatherford | James E. Ransome | Bloomsbury | 2018 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
7. Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968
Alice Faye Duncan | R. Gregory Christie Calkins Creek | 2018 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
8. Martin Rising: Requiem for a King
Andrea Davis Pinkney | Brian Pinkney | Scholastic Press | 2018 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
9. Dream March: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and the March on Washington (Step into Reading)
Vaunda Micheaux Nelson | Sally Wern Comport | Random House BYR | 2017 | ChpBk | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
10. Coretta Scott King: Dare to Dream (Women of Our Time)
Angela Shelf Medearis | Anna Rich | Turtleback Books | 2014 | ChpBk | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
11. Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Six Guiding Beliefs (as told by his niece)
Angela Farris Watkins | Sally Wern Comport | Simon & Schuster BYR | 2014 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
12. My Daddy, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Martin Luther King III | A. G. Ford | Amistad | 2013 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
13. Martin & Mahalia: His Words, Her Song
Andrea Davis Pinkney | Brian Pinkney | Little, Brown BYR | 2013 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
14. I Have a Dream
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. | Kadir Nelson | Schwartz & Wade | 2012 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
15. My Uncle Martin’s Words for America: Martin Luther King Jr.’s Niece Tells How He Made a Difference
Angela Farris Watkins | Eric Velasquez | Harry N. Abrams | 2011 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
16. March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed the World
Christine King Farris | London Ladd | Scholastic Press | 2008 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
17. Coretta Scott
Ntozake Shange | Kadir Nelson | Katherine Tegen Books | 2009 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
18. M.L.K.: The Journey of a King
Tonya Bolden | Harry N. Abrams | 2007 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
19. I’ve Seen the Promised Land: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Walter Dean Myers | Leonard Jenkins | Amistad | 2003 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | Indiebound
20. My Dream of Martin Luther King
Faith Ringgold | Knopf BYR | 1995 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
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