Martin Luther King Jr.’s life and his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement are more than adequately described in this well-written easy-reader biography from the prolific author of the Picture Book Biography series and the Cam Jansen mysteries (see below). The text is written at the 2.9 grade level, with short sentences and large type on pastel-colored backgrounds (considered by many reading experts to be easier for new readers than stark white backgrounds). The first two chapters focus on King’s early life and the influence of his family, with some well-chosen, brief anecdotes that will be of particular interest to young readers. Subsequent chapters succinctly cover the Montgomery bus boycott and other civil rights marches and protests, leading to King’s legendary “I Have a Dream” speech in 1963 and his assassination, presented in a matter-of-fact way with no motive attached to the shooting or discussion of the assassin beyond his name. Bootman’s (The Music in Derrick’s Heart, 2000, etc.) superb paintings add greatly to the title’s merit, with excellent likenesses of King and other key figures. This biography will be welcomed in all libraries during Black History Month and for school reports, and it will also be useful for teen or adult beginning readers. (chronology, suggested reading) (Easy reader/biography. 7-9)
