Megan Thornburg

E. Lynch. (2005). Lives and Times Martin Luther King Jr. Chicago, Il: Heinemann Library, Reed

Elsevier Inc.

Lives and Times Martin Luther King Jr. is a nonfiction book about the life and key
moments of Martin Luther King Jr. The book starts with introducing the civil rights leader and
then moving into information about his childhood. One of the sections in this text talks about
Martin in prison, one of the reasons mentioned is breaking unfair laws. The section highlights
that even though Martin was imprisoned for standing up for his beliefs, he continued to work
towards his efforts by writing letters with hopes of changing these unjust laws. Near the end of
the text, there is a section about other sources to learn more about Martin Luther King Jr.
which benefits the students by encouraging them to do further research. This nonfiction text
also includes a timeline at the end of the book that moves in order of the sections throughout
the book. I thought it was interesting that the book also included a photograph and caption
about Mohandas Gandhi, a leader also working for peaceful ways to bring about change in
India. In a later section, the book reintroduces the similar ideals of Gandhi, as it talks about
Martin traveling to India. This book also includes information about Martins early career
choices such as wanting to be a minister, and studying at a seminary, or school for training
priests. This would be a great book to show examples of text features and introduce a
classroom to Martin Luther King Jr. This book relates to civil rights because Martin Luther King
Jr. is considered one of the most influential civil rights leaders in United States history.
 Megan Thornburg
C. B. Weatherford. (2007). Jesse Owens Fastest Man Alive. New York, NY: Walker Publishing

Company, Inc.

Jesse Owens Fastest Man Alive is a nonfiction poetry piece. Each page includes stanza-
like text, portraying techniques such as repetition, metaphors, similes, and descriptive
language. Repetition includes Go from cotton fields to city sidewalks, from sickly child to keen
competitor, from second-class citizen to first-place finish. Go, Jesse, go. Trounce Jim Crow. Run
as fast as your feet can fly, as far as your dreams will reach. I consider this more of a poetry
piece because the author is directly addressing Jesse Owens in this section and in other parts of
the book, which usually is not a feature in typical nonfiction and informational texts. The style
of language the author uses also adds to this classification because the text seems to flow with
a rhythm. The next page of the book jumps to Germany, where the Olympics are being held
during this time. The author spends the next few pages talking about Hitler and the power-
hungry, dark person he truly was during this time. The author alludes to the imminent war
approaching and even using a word with double meaning with This is not warnot yet. For
now, you will face him on the field. I interpreted this as meaning the track field and eventually
the battlefield. This book relates to the topic of civil rights because it talks about the
discrimination Jesse Owens faced throughout his life and the battles he overcame as a record-
breaking Olympian.
Megan Thornburg
K. Krull. (1996). Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the Worlds Fastest Woman.

Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Company.

Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the Worlds Fastest Woman is an
informational biographic text about the life of Wilma Rudolph, a woman who faced
discrimination not just based on the color of her skin, but also the fact that she was a child born
with a physical disability. From a young age, Wilma also had a weaker immune system than her
siblings, where a common cold could cause her to develop pneumonia. During one of these
illnesses, Wilma was affected by polio, which caused one of her legs to become deformed. She
was expected to never walk again, but she persisted. The book highlights her strong family
connection, as her parents and siblings traveled with her to see if doctors could help improve
her mobility. Due to her inability to walk, she was not allowed to attend school. In order to
attend, she had to wear a brace, which attracted unwanted attention from her classmates. One
of the first sports she decided to play was basketball, which helped train her endurance. After
training, she was able to remove the brace and then be a successful member of the basketball
team. Eventually she was encouraged to start track-and-field. She was so successful at running,
she was able to compete at the 1960 Olympic Games and bring multiple victories to the United
States.
 Megan Thornburg

D. A. Adler. (1991). A Picture Book of John F. Kennedy. United States: Library of Congress

Cataloging-in-Publication Data.

A Picture Book of John F. Kennedy is a nonfiction biography about the early life and
presidency of John F. Kennedy. The biography relates to the topic of civil rights because a
section of the book talks about his value for the rights of people of color and specifically African
Americans. He was a humanitarian as well, as the book states, Jack Kennedy supported the
rights of black people. He set up the Peace Corps. It sent American volunteers to help poor
countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. This also relates to the topic of civil rights because
during his presidency, the call for justice and equal treatment under the law of the United
States was growing. During this time, civil rights leaders were making important speeches and
carrying out demonstrations and peaceful protests, all of which was taking place during the
presidency. John F. Kennedy was a leader and a voice for the underrepresented. The book
highlights one of his famous speeches, My fellow citizens of the world, ask not what America
will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man. John F. Kennedy carried
with him powerful ideas about peace and social change.
Megan Thornburg

C. K. Farris. (2003). My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Rev. Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division.

My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther
King Jr. is an autobiography written by Christine King Farris. At the beginning of the book, she
tells the readers that she is Martins older sister, and the story begins with Christine
remembering the day Martin was born. In the book, Christine recalls childhood memories with
her entire family, including other brothers and sisters as well as their parents. One conversation
included in the autobiography is between Martin and their mother where Martin says Mother
Dear, one day Im going to turn this world upside down. This conversation was about the
unfair treatment and discrimination African Americans experienced during this time. The
autobiography does not follow Martin until his tragic death, but instead stops with his I have a
dream speech. One of my favorite sections of the book was the last page where Christine uses
Martins words, And when he was much older, my brother M. L. dreamed a dream...that
turned the world upside down. This text connects to the Civil Rights movement because it is a
primary source and a more personal account of the early years of Martin Luther King Jr. Not
every informational or nonfiction text will have personal accounts of Martin growing up.
Megan Thornburg

J. Woodson. (2001). The Other Side. New York, NY: G. P. Putnams Sons.

The Other Side is a historical fiction picture book about two strangers that become
friends during a time where segregation was a practiced norm in the United States. The
characters and conversations are fictional but the time period is accurately depicted. The
perspective of the book is from an African American girl named Clover who is told that playing
on the other side of the fence is dangerous. Each day, a white girl named Annie sits on the
fence, and eventually they start to become friends. Clovers friends are weary of this at first but
soon they all accept Annie as a trustworthy friend. This book is a good tool to use for gaining
perspective of the feelings and emotions of a young girl during this time period. This book could
be used to build a sense of empathy in the classroom.
Megan Thornburg

R. Coles. (1995). The Story of Ruby Bridges. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

The Story of Ruby Bridges is a biographical nonfiction book about the life of Ruby
Bridges. An exciting addition to this book is that Ruby Bridges is still alive today, and that is a
valuable resource to using this book for a lesson. The book starts at Rubys birth and continues
throughout her childhood as she prepares to desegregate New Orleans schools. The biography
talks about the difficult decisions that Ruby and her family had to face. The book also depicts
the harsh discrimination that Ruby faced including violent threats and protests. It includes the
National Guard being called in to protect Ruby in her classroom. The difference between
schools then and now is something to bring to discussions. Schools have transformed into safe
environments and spaces for these students. This was a truly monumental moment, sad, scary,
and every emotion in-between.
Megan Thornburg

Y. Z. McDonough. (2010). Who was Rosa Parks? New York, NY: The Penguin Group.

Who Was Rosa Parks? Is a nonfiction biography chapter book about the struggles Rosa
Parks faced. Then, the book moves in detail towards her famous protests. The book also
includes influences from fellow Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. The book starts with
the birth of Rosa Parks, and then follows her throughout her adulthood and then eventually
fighting for the rights of people of color in the United States. She was a woman who believed
for equal rights and fair treatment under the law. The book talks about big ideas and relates to
Civil Rights because Rosa Parks sparked a bus boycott movement with the help of other leaders
during this time. The book includes photographs and primary sources which helps the reader
further enjoy the nonfiction text.
Megan Thornburg

P. M. Tuck and E. Velasquez. (2013). As Fast as Words Could Fly. New York, NY: Lee & Low

Books Inc.

As Fast as Words Could Fly is a realistic fiction book about an African American student
that cannot compete in a typing contest because he is not white. Mason Steele works hard
throughout the book to train for this competition. There are many moments in the book where
Mason faces tough decisions and has to overcome constant discrimination based on the color
of his skin. This book poses a lot of questions for young readers about equality and Civil Rights.
This book relates to Civil Rights because the students of color in the book are treated unfairly
and without consideration or kindness from white administrators and teachers. Conversations
can take place about the hard work Mason puts into his typing training. After his win is taken
from him unfairly, he is at a loss for words. This is realistic fiction because it is a real situation
with fictional characters and conversations that take place in the book.
Megan Thornburg

D. Rappaport. (2001). Martins Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hyperion Book

CH.

Martins Big Words: The Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is a nonfiction biography
about the life of Martin Luther King Jr. This book covers important ideas, thoughts, and
messages that Dr. King spread throughout his speeches and letters. The book is a nonfiction
biography about the life of Dr. King. This book covers the discrimination he faced throughout
his lifetime, including the times where he was imprisoned unjustly based from his breaking
unjust laws. Then, the book covers the impact of these words of peace and peaceful protests.
This is still relevant today as there are peaceful protests happening all over the country for
equal treatment when it comes to the law.
C. B. Weatherford. (2007). Jesse Owens Fastest Man Alive. New York, NY: Walker Publishing

Company, Inc.

C. K. Farris. (2003). My Brother Martin: A Sister Remembers Growing Up With the Rev. Dr.

Martin Luther King Jr. New York, NY: Simon & Schuster Childrens Publishing Division.

D. A. Adler. (1991). A Picture Book of John F. Kennedy. United States: Library of Congress

Cataloging-in-Publication Data.

D. Rappaport. (2001). Martins Big Words: The life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Hyperion Book

CH.

E. Lynch. (2005). Lives and Times Martin Luther King Jr. Chicago, Il: Heinemann Library, Reed

Elsevier Inc.

J. Woodson. (2001). The Other Side. New York, NY: G. P. Putnams Sons.

K. Krull. (1996). Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the Worlds Fastest Woman.

Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Company.

P. M. Tuck and E. Velasquez. (2013). As Fast as Words Could Fly. New York, NY: Lee & Low

Books Inc.

R. Coles. (1995). The Story of Ruby Bridges. New York, NY: Scholastic Inc.

Y. Z. McDonough. (2010). Who was Rosa Parks? New York, NY: The Penguin Group