The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: An Inspiring Biography for Young Readers

by Christine Platt MA

Discover the life of Martin Luther King Jr—a story for kids ages 6 to 9 about standing up for civil rights

Martin Luther King Jr became one of the most important civil rights leaders in America by fighting for equality for black people. Before he made history with his powerful speeches and peaceful protests, Martin was a dedicated, smart kid who loved to learn. He challenged racism and overcame hardships to follow his passion and do the right thing.

Of all the Martin Luther King Jr books for kids, this one really helps you explore how Martin went from being a kid with a dream to an outstanding leader who made America a better place for everyone. How will his life inspire you to do what's right?

All Martin Luther King Jr books for kids should

If you've been searching for Martin Luther King Jr books for kids that have beautiful illustrations and easy-to-read chapters, look no further—this one has it all!

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Childrens, Middle Grade

68 pages, Paperback

Published June 30, 2020

Reviews

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written childrens chapter book. It is perfectly written for those still new to chapter book reading. The words are easy enough to read and comprehend that even beginners will benefit from it. The illustrations are also quite lovely and bright.

I realize there are already countless Dr. King books readily available but I do feel this book has so much to offer young readers. I love that this book includes “Think Tank” questions, getting kids not just reading but actively thinking and opening dialogues is so important. This book also included a table of contents, chapters and a glossary which make this a great book for home use as well as in a classroom setting.

I recieved a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Bookaholic__Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written childrens chapter book. It is perfectly written for those still new to chapter book reading. The words are easy enough to read and comprehend that even beginners will benefit from it. The illustrations are also quite lovely and bright.

I realize there are already countless Dr. King books readily available but I do feel this book has so much to offer young readers. I love that this book includes “Think Tank” questions, getting kids not just reading but actively thinking and opening dialogues is so important. This book also included a table of contents, chapters and a glossary which make this a great book for home use as well as in a classroom setting.

I recieved a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Roger DeBlanck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read almost everything Martin wrote and also many books about him, including Jonathan Eig’s recent Pulitzer-winning biography, I was curious to see how Christine Platt handled a text for children about MLK. Overall, I appreciate this book’s narrative and its complimentary artwork, but I also think Platt sanitized many of the horrors Martin faced. Her narrative feels a little too comfortable, as though America has always been on a straight line of forward progress where all terrible wrongs of the past have been righted. Of course, improvement has been made, and we should be proud of obstacles overcome, but has Martin’s work and mission really been fulfilled? We honor MLK because he deserves our reverence and appreciation for having confronted the evils of racism, poverty, and militarism. However, he would want us never to be satisfied, but rather always working towards more progress and improvement. I feel as though Platt’s book makes Martin’s story sound like all of his sacrifices led directly to the fulfillment of his dreams. Even with its shortcomings, I’d have no problem reading her book to children and using it as a launchpad for further discussion where I’d bring more depth and clarity to America’s catastrophic past.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justice is love correcting that which revolts against love.

Starting with King's humble beginnings to his tragic death, a history lesson for all ages. His keynote and life changing events are categorized in a engaging text that will ensure to inspire and live up to his legacy. His peaceful protest is what brought lasting change across the aisle. He was respected and dreamed big for all people. It had to start with unity and that his is legacy. Highly recommend.

A special thank you to Callisto Media and Netgalley for the ARC and the opportunity to post an honest review.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m impressed at the way this book invites the young reader to engage with the subject matter! It’s great to get the reader to really think about what they’re reading. On reflection, that should be the norm for books like this.

[Panda Incognito · Rating 4 out of 5]

This engaging, well-paced biography for young readers shares information about MLK's childhood, young adult years, career, and significance to the struggle for racial equality. The book includes a glossary in the back for unfamilar terms, and it has lots of appealing features throughout, such as a timeline, open-ended discussion questions, and myth vs. fact sidebars. The ending summarizes MLK's core accomplishments, and encourages kids to consider how he can inspire them.

I found this book very thorough and well-designed, and kids and adults alike can learn things from it. The author did a great job putting his life events into historical context, and she emphasizes MLK's Christian faith in a way that is historically accurate and respectful. However, even though this book is excellent overall, I have one major critique. The brief description of the Civil War is oversimplified to the point of inaccuracy.

The explanation for the Civil War says that "the North wanted to end slavery and fought against the South," which is nice-sounding but untrue. Abraham Lincoln wanted to end slavery, but the war was a response to Southern states seceding from the Union after Lincoln became president. In spite of Lincoln's long-term goals and the motivations of individual soldiers, the North's war on the Confederacy was primarily about preserving the Union.

Some states in the North still allowed slavery, and some Union generals owned slaves. Claiming that the North fought the Civil War to end slavery is a dangerous oversimplification. It can upset Black children to later find out the truth, and when white children find out how adults misled them, they will either find an accurate counter-story or be vulnerable to Lost Cause narratives. It's unhelpful and potentially destructive to paint the North in such heroic broad strokes.

I would encourage adults to provide more nuance about the Civil War, but this is an excellent book for young readers regardless. It handles heavy topics in an honest and accurate way without being too intense for most sensitive readers, and introduces one of the most well-known Civil Rights figures in a well-organized, highly understandable way.

I received a free copy from the publisher through Amazon Vine in exchange for an honest review.

[Nicole Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Available today!!

From the depths of Nicole’s Book Cellar-

Book: The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers (The Story Of: A Biography Series for New Readers)

Author: Christine Platt

Genre: Biography, Children’s Nonfiction, Early Reader

Rating: 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I would recommend this for an early readers to read on their own from grades 2nd-5th. I would recommend those not able to quite read on their own to be read to.

I know what you are thinking? Not another MLK, Jr. book! There are so many other influential black people right? I do agree there are so many. However, this version of MLK, Jr. really encompassed things I think other early reader books of this kind have not. It follows King not just from birth to death but also gives background of the history that proceeds and follows his legacy.
The Illustrations were really vibrant and appropriate for the right ages. One thing I loved about this book was the “Think Tank” questions. Imagine how powerful that classroom lesson or conversation with your student or child when you can pause and ask them- “What would you do?” or “Why did that happen?” The book also had timelines, glossary, chapters, and the table of contents which would help with a text feature lesson if you are a classroom teacher.
Although this book is written for kids, I enjoyed reading and refreshing up on things that I had forgotten. I not only suggest this book for elementary students to read but also for parents to read with their children.
Thank you to @NetGalley @CallistoMedia @RockridgePress the advanced copy of #TheStoryOfMartinLutherKingJr.
#Books #NetGalley #BookReviews #Bookstigator #GoodReads #Kindle #AmazonReads #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #TeachersofInstagram #ChristinePlatt

[Jessica Haider · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Story of Martin Luther King Jr is a great biography for upper primary school aged students to learn about MLK. The facts of King's life are presented in an approachable, kid-friendly manner that still does a good job of presenting the issues that MLK was working against. We learn of King's childhood in a Atlanta suburb, his college education (including at Boston University, my alma mater!), and his decision to move back south to the heart of the racial segregation issues to help inspire others in the fight against segregation.

The book is full of colorful illustrations depicting various moments in King's life. Each chapter contains a timeline of the events covered in that chapter. Throughout the book there are also "Jump in the Think Tank" breakouts where the author presents the reader with questions to think about. for example: "How would you feel if you had to stop being friends with someone because of their skin color?"

At the end of the book there is a multiple choice quiz and a glossary. This book would be a great addition to any children's library.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

[joyce w. laudon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an engaging, illustrated biography for those who are starting to read chapter books.  The story of MLK is well told from the time that he was a young boy thinking that he wanted to be a fireman or a doctor or a performer through his years as a key person in the Civil Rights Movement. The author places King's life in context by talking about the Civil War, Reconstruction, Jim Crow laws, sit-ins and more, all in a way that children will be able to understand. As is true in other books in this series, there are maps, questions to think about, timelines, a family tree and more that enhance the chronological story of King's life.


During this time, when many are thinking about the BLM movement, this book provides a chance to think about how long this fight has been going on and how bravely MLK stood up for his beliefs.


The end of the book includes a glossary and a bibliography.  These will add to the reader's knowledge and offer chances to extend their learning.


Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title in exchange for an honest review.

[Wayne McCoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

'The Story of Martin Luther King Jr.: A Biography Book for New Readers' by Christine Platt with illustrations by Steffi Walthall is the kind of nonfiction book I loved as a young reader.

I love how this book starts with Dr. King as a young boy who dreamed of being a firefighter and then describes the world of segregation he was surrounded by. He lived in Sweet Auburn with two siblings. He decided to follow in his father's footsteps and become a minister, but he did so much more and was such an important voice in the world.

This is the second book in this series I've read, and I really like the quality and presentation. I like the interactive quizzes and the infographics. I like how larger world events are brought in for further understanding.

I received a review copy of this ebook from Callisto Media and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you for allowing me to review this ebook.

[April Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great introduction to Martin Luther King, Jr.'s life for young readers. It offers an easy to follow overview of King's life in clear, age appropriate language, and each chapter has a timeline of important events covered, plus thought provoking discussion questions to help the reader put themselves in King's place. The text does a wonderful job of highlighting King's contributions to the Civil Rights Movement, and the illustrations add life to the story. At the end, there is a quiz to help young readers remember what they've read, a glossary to explain words and terms used in the text, and a bibliography for further reading. Another wonderful addition to the Story Of series!

#TheStoryofMartinLutherKingJr #NetGalley

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

These non-fiction chapter books are a hit with my first-grader. I was a little surprised his school wasn’t learning about MLK for MLK Day. He covered it in the state-wide virtual school in Kindergarten last year, but not in first grade in public school? Well, his family is here to fill the gaps. Segregation is a tough subject, but it’s real and I believe early learning will make him a better human and citizen. Besides, MLK is a wonderful role model: smart, committed, peaceful. His life story is presented in easy to read chapters with illustrations, timelines, myth vs fact graphics, quizzes, exploratory questions, glossary, and more. We have a few other biographies in this series we’ll be reading later.

[Sarah]

I read this book in preparation for my AP Us history exam in order to get a better understanding on civil rights throughout the late 20th century. I enjoyed reading this book and learning in depth about Martin Luther king while also understanding what else was happening in this time especially regarding civil rights and racism. I already knew the basics of what MLK did with the I have a dream speech at the March on Washington but through reading this book I learned more about the movements that he made to obtain the civil rights and following that he had. He led multiple sit-ins that promoted non-violence in the civil rights movement. I overall liked reading this book especially to get a better understanding of history.

[Danielle Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good easy read for young chapter readers.

I like that the book is factual & tells the hard parts of the tale in an acceptable way for young readers. I also like the critical thinking questions & interactive points throughout the story. Only thing I would change: add some follow up that correlates to today’s challenges. The biggest misconception in today’s education is that everything was fixed with these protests & bills, but there is still a lot of work to go. Still highly recommend this book & will be sharing with the kitties in my life.

[Jennifer Fellers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Too.advanced.for the recommended age

This was a very informal book. However I read it to my 7 and 9 year old as a routine bedtime thing, reading stories that is.

My 9 year old is very advanced. Always has been. My seven year old is more "on the guidelines"

Either way this book was too advanced for their true understanding!! which was a huge disappointment for us! I personally feel its more for lime 5th grade plus!!

However this book.comes with a load of information and also a great read, I jist wouldn't do it to too little of kiddos

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is tue second book in this series that I have read. I find them very entertaining and educational. I learned facts about Martin Luther King Jr that i had not previously known.. I love that it includes prompts to start a discussion. There is also a quiz at the end to test what you learned. I also enjoyed the section at the end that discusses the impact that martin later king Jr has made on the world as we know it.

[Catie LeMar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book! The information on Martin Luther King is simple and to the point. The recaps at the end of each chapter are excellent, as well as the thinking questions for the kids. I even learned a few things I didn't know prior to this book!

It is great for young readers. The pictures and content are engaging. I would recommend highly recommend this book.

[H. L. Reyes · Rating 5 out of 5]

YES YES YES! I am absolutely thrilled at how well this book is written for children to grasp the life and work of Martin Luther King Jr. and to engage in his inspiring story. My son ran up to me with little facts that he learned throughout reading this book so I am sure he loved it just as much as I did.

[Kama Hardy]

History

[Alicia J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great quick story of the achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.

[Craig L · Rating 2 out of 5]

Short review of his life. Rather disappointing

[Caroline Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martin Luther king

Love and enjoyed reading this book. The picture is awesome too there no dislike of anything love reading about our history

[sarah young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read to my kindergartner. Great illustrations and easily understood language. A great intro into civil rights and MLK. A great segue into the “I have a dream” speech as well.