As Good as Anybody: Martin Luther King, Jr., and Abraham Joshua Heschel's Amazing March toward Freedom

by Richard Michelson, Raúl Colón (Illustrator)

MARTIN LUTHER KING, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. Their names stand for the quest for justice and equality.Martin grew up in a loving family in the American South, at a time when this country was plagued by racial discrimination. He aimed to put a stop to it. He became a minister like his daddy, and he preached and marched for his cause.Abraham grew up in a loving family many years earlier, in a Europe that did not welcome Jews. He found a new home in America, where he became a respected rabbi like his father, carrying a message of peace and acceptance.Here is the story of two icons for social justice, how they formed a remarkable friendship and turned their personal experiences of discrimination into a message of love and equality for all.

Genres: Picture Books, History, Nonfiction, Childrens, Biography, Jewish, African American

40 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 13, 2008

Reviews

[Jon Nakapalau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Abraham Joshua Heschel joins Martin Luther King as both men follow the path of the 1965 civil rights march from Selma to Montgomery. Both men understand the need for different religions to walk that same path; because the forces that try block them from moving forward are unified in their hate. Valuable lessons to be learned today - now more than ever.

[Ms. B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book with a good message about doing the right thing and standing up for others. Learn about Abraham Joshua Heschel, a Jewish rabbi who marched with Martin Luther King Jr.from Selma to Montgomery. Black and white, Jewish and Christian; it didn't make a difference.

[Helga Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a powerful book for young readers about the friendship and partnership between 2 great civil rights leaders, Martin Luther King, Jr and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. It is a great book of history to introduce children about overcoming discrimination, looking beyond skin color, and learning acceptance and equality. It introduces the reader to how Martin Luther King grew up in the South, which was plagued by discrimination, and how he wanted to stop it. He became a preacher like his father and marched for his cause. Abraham Heschel grew up in Europe which did not welcome Jews. He moved to America to evade Hitler and became a rabbi like his father. He carried a message of peace and acceptance. Heschel and MLK marched together arm in arm to Selma, Alabama for a cause. I recommend reading this book to children about two icons for social justice, and how they formed a remarkable friendship and spread their message of love and equality for all. I read this book on MLK day to my grandsons.

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book!

Michelson tells enough of Dr. King’s and Rabbi Herschel’s childhoods to explain the reasons for the walk then the experience of the walk itself. They were friends after this and kept on touch. Rabbi Herschel spoke at Dr. King’s funeral. The author mentioned the Rabbi died 4 years later.

I LOVE Colon’s illustrations in this! He illustrated the skin in a blurred way that shows the Rabbi and Dr as not that far apart in complexion at the walk. The nun further to Dr. King’s right has much whiter complexion. I don’t know if this is an accurate rendering but I doubt it. Colon was making a point in making these two remarkable men so similar.

I am shocked this didn’t win the King award that year but at least it won the Sidney Taylor! Pull out on Martin Luther King Day or Black History Month.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

SYDNEY TAYLOR AWARD WINNER (2009)

Format: Picture book
Age level: Elementary
Protagonist: Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel

Review:
This is a very unique story that tells of how Abraham Joshua Heschel came to the aid of Martin Luther King, Jr. at the time of the civil rights march in Selma. It begins the book with Martin as a child, and then it tells the story of Joshua as a child. It moves on to tell about their lives as grownups, up until the point where their paths cross. There are several parallels shown between the lives of the two children, which helps the reader understand what led to their eventual friendship. Their is a brief Afterword following the story that lets the reader know about the end of both Heschel's and King's lives.

This was a beautiful story that skillfully wove together the similarities of being persecuted as a Jew and as an African-American. It continues to describe a friendship between two powerful, passionate men committed to finding justice for all. It's a testament to the influence of individuals as well as what can happen when both blacks and whites come together.

The pictures are made with a fuzzy look to them. To me, this made the story feel more like a memory, which I liked. There weren't a lot of facial details, but I felt that served this story well, as it was more about a group of people coming together than the accomplishments of just one person.

This book could be used to support a unit on Civil Rights, along with Freedom Walkers by Russel Freedman. It could be used in conjunction with One Thousand Tracings by Lita Judge to share some of the after-effects of World War II. It could also be used in discussions of racism, prejudice, friendship, and standing up for your beliefs.

[Mary Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book - it shows, very simply, how Martin Luther King and Abraham Joshua Heschel were both striving for a better, more just world. This picture book follows Martin and Abraham as children discovering the injustice in the world. But both of their fathers told them that this is not the way the world has to be - we can make it a better place. As King says, “The way things are is not the way they always have to be.” And as Heschel says “Words must be followed by deeds.” I would say the best audience for this would be ages 4 - 7.

[Tamika McIntosh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite civil rights biographies. I enjoyed how it discusses both a Jewish and African American leaders activism on discrimination. It is really powerful to learn both of their stories, and for a White man to come down south to fight alongside the blacks with Dr. King. Heschel knew what it was like to be discriminated against in his home country for being Jewish, and did not approve of it happening to another group of people in America. I enjoy seeing people of different races and cultures come together and help each other. This book is a great read for children.

[Cindi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book. This book merges the stories of Martin Luther King Jr. with Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel. The first half of the book covers MLK's boyhood up to the point of his famous march. At that point, it breaks off and tells the story of Heschel. The book joins them up at the end as they marched together for a common purpose. Excellent message and illustrations.

[Kennedi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book and how it shows that those most discriminated against are just like anyone else. It talks about Martin Luther King, Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel and their march toward freedom. It gives children the opportunity to learn about a crucial time in our history in a simple, yet factual way. I would definitely recommend this book.

[Kristine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is targeted at an audience young to older, grades 1st-6th. This book tells about to great men in different parts of the world that speak and live the same dream. This will keep kids involved by how these two men end up coming together even though one has the freedom now but helps the other stand up for whats right. Sydney Taylor Book Award 2009

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

As Good as Anybody is a beautifully written true story about two men from different backgrounds coming together to march for equality for all; Martin Luther King, Jr. born in 1929 in Atlanta, Georgia and Abraham Joshua Heschel born in 1901 in Warsaw, Poland. Both men faced discriminated for different reasons in different parts of the world yet found friendship and respect in each other.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for our study on Martin Luther King Jr. Really liked this book and learning about Abraham Joshua Heschel in it..krb 1/10/17

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an impressive book! Brief life stories are given for MLK Jr and Abraham Joshua Heschel's lives. I could have retyped many meaningful quotes, but will just say check out the book. Both realized they were stronger together than trying to accomplish change on their own.

[Tam · Rating 4 out of 5]

My 9-year-old enjoyed this book about Martin Luther King, Jr and Abraham Joshua Heschel. It was informative but told in a story rather than facts, like some other books we've read on Martin Luther King, Jr.

It starts with Martin as a young boy who is mad at everyone because of segregation but he really looked up to his father and his mother told him, "Don't you ever forget that you are just as good as anybody!"

He became a minister and told his congregation to stop riding the bus (after the experience with Rosa Parks) until they could sit wherever they wanted. The people stopped riding the bus for one year! The bus companies were losing money so the U.S. Supreme Court finally changed the law.

He organized protests and marches and put out a call for all of God's children to join with him. The story then switched over to Abraham, a Jew who lived in America but was originally from Warsaw, Poland. Abraham became a rabbi. At that time, Hitler was elected leader of Germany and Jews weren't allowed to go many places. He'd heard about people being treated fairly in America and decided to go there. Hitler invaded Poland and his mother and three sisters were killed. Abraham began marching across America speaking out for peace and equal rights. He joined with Martin Luther King, Jr.

On 03/21/1965, in Selma, Alabama, the two men joined together in prayer with more than 3000 people cheering them on.

At the end of the story, there's a page of facts related to both men.

[Paul Farbman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of both African American and Jewish civil rights. It is a 2009 winner of the Sydney Taylor award. This story follows the lives of two different American civil rights' leaders. One, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was an African American Baptist minister, and the other, Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, was a Polish American immigrant.

The story begins by telling the tale of Martin's experiences with segregation in the South. It discusses how his parents' outlook guided him to become a minister and seek a better future for his people. This is paralleled by Abraham's experiences with anti-semitism and the beginning of World War II in Poland. Abraham's parents also taught him to treat all people equally and led him to become a Rabbi and a leader.

To stand up to unfair treatment of all people, Heschel and King joined together to lead a march from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery. They remained great friends for the rest of their lives.

This book is great for emphasizing the similarities, rather than the differences, between people.

[Krista the Krazy Kataloguer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd heard, of course, of Martin Luther King Jr., but was unfamiliar with Abraham Joshua Heschel. In this book, Richard Michelsen describes how the two men grew up in parallel situations and facing the same kinds of prejudice and hatred, Martin in the Jim Crow South, and Abraham in Nazi Germany. The two came together almost inevitably in 1965 in Selma, Alabama, and marched together for equal voting rights for all Americans. Michelsen's text, easy enough for beginning readers to manage on their own, flows like two streams that meet as one river at the end. My favorite line is by Abraham, who says as he marches, "This too is God's work... I feel like my legs are praying." Additional information on the last page tells what happened as a result of that march and how both of these great men died. Raul Colon's soft yellows, browns, and blues on ivory-tinted paper lend a feeling of times past that's just right for the text. A beautiful book, and highly recommended for all readers!

[Mikayla Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book starts with the story of Martin Luther King Jr. He begins as a small boy who does not think it is fair that he does not have all the same rights as WHITE people. His mom said it will be different in the next world, but he wanted it to be different now. He began going around the country speaking out. Then it goes on to tell the story of Abraham Joshua Heschel. He is a Jew living in Europe during the time of Hitler. He also believes that it is not fair and wants to do something about it. He travels to America and begins speaking out. He meets Martin Luther King Jr. and they start a march together.

I like how it takes the two stories and puts them together at the end. Even though these two come from different backgrounds they are very similar.

This book can be used in the classroom around Martin Luther King Day and also during black history month to show how they were treated.

[Diana Hanke · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book follows the story of two distinct and unique men who eventually joined forces in an actual display against prejudice. Each man's story is presented separately with a focus on their childhood and the influence of their fathers followed by their adult life and work. These stories then culminate in a description of the march for equal rights which brought them together. Both experienced prejudice and felt a compelling need to reverse the injustice that they both experienced. The story is enhanced by illustrations with an antique appearance. "As Good as Anybody" can be used to support any study on human rights including major historical events like the Holocaust or Civil Rights Movement. It can be appreciated by all ages, and is written for grade 3 - 6.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books helps bring more facts in to the Civil Rights Movement and what it was all about for Dr. King. Martin and Abraham grew up angry at the wrongs being done to groups of people. They both took action to help people be kind, loving and all inclusive. Martin worked with the African-Americans and Abraham worked with the Jews. But they came together to march for freedom and equal rights. Their goal was for all people and all groups to join forces and peacefully march for voting rights. This fight is a human fight and should be recognized as the joint need and work that people can do together to make things right for all. This is well-stated and illustrated to bring this memorable joining tot he forefront of the movement for the people.

[Emilee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book touched my heart. 2 men treated unfairly coming together to fight for their freedom.
A Jew a Black their story.

"I solemnly pledge to uphold the fair name of the Jews. Not only because we need their friendship, and surely we do, but mainly because bigotry in any form is an affront to us all." -Reverend Martin Luther King Jr.

"100 years ago, the emanicipation was proclaimed. It is time for the white man to strive for self-emanicpation, to set himself free of bigotry." -Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel

"This too is God's Work", Abraham told Martin. "I feel like my legs are praying."

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes on a new and unique look at Dr. Martin Luther King's marches for equality. This book shows that people beyond the African American culture understood and supported the plight of the African American's. The story begins with the familiar tale of Dr. Martin Luther King. Then it talks about Abraham Joshua Heschel who also suffered prejudice in Warsaw, Poland during the time of Hitler. He came to America for freedom and here he spoke out for peace and equal rights for everyone.

This is a great story for children not only explaining the Civil Rights movement, but also showing out anyone can speak up for others who are facing prejudice.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the story of two men--Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel--and their fight against racism. The story follows their lives from childhood into adulthood. I like how the author writes about both boys, even echoes the same themes in their upbringing. Both boys admired their fathers, and followed in their footsteps. Both fathers advised their boys to take the higher ground and to not take revenge against the evil they see around them. The parallel storylines, and then their convergence, clearly shows the impact these men had on the world around them.

[babyhippoface · Rating 4 out of 5]

Michelson draws parallels between the upbringings, struggles, and values of 1960's civil rights leaders Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel in this well-illustrated picture book. The somber tone echoes that of Doreen Rappaport's excellent My Friend Martin as a narrator describes harsh realities in the lives of both men and how they led to understanding and mutual respect. Raul Colon's mixed-media illustrations in earth tones and blues deepen the story's sense of history and tension.

[Marcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I met the author when I was in Atlanta. My second graders LOVED this book. One American black boy, Martin, who lived in Atlanta - His white friends no longer wanted to play with him. One German, Jewish white boy, Joshua, living in Poland, suffering the verbal abuses of his peers. Both parents comfort them by telling them, "You're as good as anybody." They grow up with prejudice and hatred. Martin becomes a preacher. Joshua becomes a rabbi. Joshua escapes from Poland and joins Martin in the march for freedom. This is a true story. Kudos to Richard Michelson!

[Michael Moriarty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Audience: 2nd to 4th Grade and a good tool for librarians teaching biography.

Appeal: The cover and the illustraions are very vivid in color and they look like crayon drawings that will appeal to this grade group. The story matches the pictures well and the text is not hard to understand, it is written in a way that quite a bit of information is condensed into a moving, informtive story. Good descriptions of the important events in the life of Dr. King and his inner feelings.

Awards: Sydney Taylor Book Award 2009

[Caitlin Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read As Good as Anybody by Richard Michelson and I LOVED it. This book tells about Martin Luther King Jr. and Abraham Joshua Heschel. I really liked how this book told about civil rights in America and also the fight for Civil Rights during World War 2 for the Jews. It tells about how the two men unite to fight for equality and to be treated like they are "as good as anybody." The story was beautifully written and it would be a very useful book to have in a classroom. You could use this book in a history lesson or to reinforce the idea of equality and encourage working together.

[Riegs · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome because it celebrates how two movements can work together - in this case, the work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his collaboration with members of the anti-Semitism movement. I think many Americans perceive the Civil Rights Movement as something that was driven in isolation by African Americans, and I think that denigrates the movement as a whole. This book gives a larger picture.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

the artwork is beautiful, the story familiar but jarring. What a timely reminder for all of us that injustice still exists and that we must continue marching to combat it. Sadly, it made me think of some of our current candidates for president--the ones who claim to be people of faith but still spew hatred and discrimination from their podiums. As long as inequality exists (and it is thriving), people of faith must follow the example of Martin and Abraham.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

"How can we love our neighbors," he asked, "if we abandon them in their time of need?"
—Abraham Joshua Heschel

Excellent book that first tells the story of Martin Luther King Jr.'s anger and inspiration to upend injustice followed by Abraham Joshua Heschel's own journey in Europe. At the end, the two men meet in America and join in the peaceful call for integration and equality at the march in Selma of 1965 where "there were not enough police in the state to hold them back."

[Cynthia Egbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a good story book to introduce a young person to the work and especially the marches of Martin Luther King Jr, this is the perfect option. Seeing how Heschel learned from what happened to his family in Germany and taking those lessons to America where he was compelled to march alongside King is just the message many could use right now.

"How can we love our neighbors," he asked, "if we abandon them in their time of need?" -Abraham Joshua Heschel