“If you can’t fly then run, if you can’t run then walk, if you can’t walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.” – Martin Luther King Jr.
On the third Monday in January, we will celebrate the life of one the most inspirational figures in history, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. While Dr. King was born on January 15, 1929, the federal holiday honoring his life is observed on the third Monday in January. This year that day is January 18, 2021. There are countless children’s biographies that chronicle King’s family, ministry, activism, and beliefs. The books, which include the six listed below, showcase inspirational characteristics like courage, truth, social intelligence, fairness, and community service, qualities that young readers can seek to emulate on his day of recognition or any day. For more book choices for your home or classroom, see “Martin Luther King Jr. Day: 12 Books from King and His Family.”
Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You
Carole Boston Weatherford | James E. Ransome | Bloomsbury | 2018 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
My Dream of Martin Luther King
Faith Ringgold | Knopf BYR | 1995 | PB | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
M.L.K.: The Journey of a King
Tonya Bolden | Harry N. Abrams | 2007 | MG | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers
Christine Platt | Rockridge Press | 2020 | ChpBk | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (A True Book: National Parks)
Christine Taylor-Butler | Children’s Press | 2019 | ChpBk | Amazon | Bookshop | IndieBound
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
While you are here, please consider donating to our end-of-the-year fund. We have a goal to raise $10,000 to fulfill our mission to promote awareness of children’s and young adult literature by Black authors. A portion of the funds will go toward purchasing books to donate to children in underserved areas. Thank You!
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