She Persisted: Coretta Scott King

She Persisted

by Kelly Starling Lyons, Chelsea Clinton, Alexandra Boiger (Illustrator)

Inspired by the #1 New York Times bestseller She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger, a chapter book series about women who spoke up and rose up against the odds--including Coretta Scott King!

In this chapter book biography by award-winning author Kelly Starling Lyons, readers learn about the amazing life of Coretta Scott King--and how she persisted . 
 
Coretta Scott King is known for being the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., but she was a civil rights activist and leader in her own right! She was a singer and an author too, and her work made a difference for Black Americans and for all women for decades to come.

Complete with an introduction from Chelsea Clinton, black-and-white illustrations throughout, and a list of ways that readers can follow in Coretta Scott King's footsteps and make a difference! A perfect choice for kids who love learning and teachers who want to bring inspiring women into their curriculum.
 
And don’t miss out on the rest of the books in the She Persisted series, featuring so many more women who persisted, including Oprah Winfrey, Harriet Tubman, Ruby Bridges, and more!

Praise for She Coretta Scott King :

"This book profiles the uplifting voice of an activist worth recognizing in her own right [and] Lyons manages to weave in a healthy amount of emotion into this account . . . A brief but effective account of not-often-taught figure that would nicely complement curriculum units on the Civil Rights Movement." -- School Library Journal

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography, Childrens, Biography Memoir, Audiobook, Middle Grade

80 pages, Hardcover

First published January 4, 2022

About the author

Kelly Starling Lyons is an award-winning author whose 17 titles for children span easy readers, picture books, chapter books, fiction, nonfiction, and series. For more than a decade, Lyons has been creating inspiring books that center Black heroes, celebrate family, friendship and heritage and show all children the storyteller they hold inside. Her acclaimed titles include Going Down Home with Daddy, Sing a Song: How Lift Every Voice & Sing Inspired Generations, Dream Builder: The Story of Architect Philip Freelon, Tiara's Hat Parade and the Jada Jones chapter book series. Her new easy reader series with illustrator Nina Mata, Ty's Travels, debuts September 1. The first book, All Aboard, earned a starred Kirkus review.

Lyons counts Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, Best of the Year and state award lists, Junior Library Guild selections, a Caldecott Honor and a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor among the accolades her books have received. Two of her books, Hope's Gift and Going Down Home with Daddy, have represented the states of North Carolina and Georgia, respectively, at the National Book Festival's Parade of the States.

Lyons is a founding member of The Brown Bookshelf, a team dedicated to raising awareness of Black children's book creators, a Raleigh-Durham co-ambassador for The Authors Guild, and a teaching artist who visits schools, libraries, conferences and festivals nationwide. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and children where she facilitates a book club for boys that salutes literary treasures from Black authors and illustrators of today and the past. Learn more at www.kellystarlinglyons.com.

Reviews

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Coretta Scott King was a formidable woman and the She Persisted series does a superb job of capturing the essence of who she was in words and deeds from her early life to meeting MLK to what she did after his death.

Just like any of these biographical series there's a nice mix of new and old facts to learn and ways to approach the amazingness of people who impacted the country and/or world. In this one, she is painted as a talented woman first and a wife and mother and Civil Rights activist alongside.

"Even today, her spirit and message live on. She was proud to be the wife of Dr. King, but she was a leader in her own right. 'I am not a ceremonial symbol,' Coretta once said. 'I am an activist. I didn't just emerge after Martin died- I was always there...'"

[Elaine Fultz, Teacher Librarian, MLS · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another perfectly bite size bio. Hearing more details about her life and yellow springs was a definite bonus. I hope this series gets its due along with the who was titles.

[Shelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

The She Persisted mini chapter book biography series are perfect for elementary and intermediate age students interested in learning about the featured person for an assignment or just for an informative read about important women in history. This edition about Coretta Scott King, is well written and made me want to learn more, which is exactly what these introductory stories should be.

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit that I didn't know much about Coretta Scott King beyond her being the wife of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. before reading this book in the She Persisted series. She made quite an impact on her own in the civil rights movement and she continued MLK's legacy after his death. The information is presented nicely for younger readers and the illustrations were particularly strong in this book. I also enjoyed learning about how she incorporated music into her civil rights endeavors. She was quite the singer! This was definitely one of the stronger books in this series.

[Ashlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn’t know much about Coretta Scott King before picking this up on a whim. I’m so glad I did though! I had no idea she did so much to continue the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This was the perfect introduction to this wonderful woman and I’d love to learn more about her in the future.

[McKenzie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

For more bookish thoughts, see my blog: Craft-Cycle

"I am an activist. I didn't just emerge after Martin died-I was always there..."

A wonderful read. The book goes beyond Coretta Scott King's relationship and work with her husband and shows her own accomplishments. I loved learning more about her early life, her parents and education, her singing, and her contributions to the Civil Rights Movements.

Flint's illustrations nicely break up the text. The book consists of short, manageable chapters that detail Coretta Scott's early life, encounters with racism, her love of singing, her drive for a formal education, meeting and marriage to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, her family, her inclusive faith, and how she impacted the Civil Rights Movement and kept her husband's legacy alive. Wonderfully written. A great format to learn about this Civil Rights hero.

As with the other She Persisted books in the series, this one contains a lists of How You Can Persist, encouraging readers to follow in Coretta Scott King's footsteps by learning, being kind, standing up for others, and using their own unique talents to make the world a better place.

Another wonderful entry in the She Persisted biography series detailing the life of a remarkable woman.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group through NetGalley.
Another volume in the She Persisted biography series. Lyons introduces readers to Coretta Scott as a child. They see how her family shaped her identity and passion for justice. From there, her life journey intersects with Martin Luther King, Jr. and readers see how the two worked together for civil rights. The narrative flows smoothly with language middle grade readers will understand. The book includes ways readers can grow and persist following the biography portion. Further resources are also documented so readers can learn more about this incredible woman.

[Manda Marigold · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book details some of Coretta Scott King's life. One of the main focuses of the book is the struggles she faced due to segregation. The book then discussed how she used non-violent tactics such as the Montgomery bus boycott to overcome her struggles. She participated in non-violent tactics due to her husband being at the forefront of the movement. Her husband was none other than Martin Luther King Jr. Corretta also held concerts to fight for equality. Coretta's desire for equality was innate and was only strengthened by working with her husband. Overall, I found the book to be informative and educational.

[Earl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved getting to learn about Coretta Scott King. For the longest time, I was under the wrong impression that she was just the wife of a famous activist and who was brought into that kind of life because of it. But she was definitely her own person before she met him and was making a difference throughout. I can imagine what a true partnership they must have had. Another great addition to this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Even if the book makes sure to mention that Coretta Scott King was a force in her own right, too much of this book was that she accompanied MLK while he did stuff. While I definitely believe that being a wife, mother, and spiritual companion are worthwhile and consuming, I would've liked to have learned more specifics about CSK's works and legacies.

[Ellon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A strong addition to the She Persisted series! I didn't know that Coretta Scott King was a singer! It was great to learn so much about her and the focus really was about her and not her husband. Lyons did a great job of making the text informative and engaging!

[Jennybeast · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent short biography of Coretta Scott King. Lyons does a tremendous job drawing her readers beyond the relationship with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and letting us see the whole woman. Really well done.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love that illustrated biographies are such a trend right now, so much more inviting for young readers! I listened to this on audio, so did not have benefit of the illustrations, which I'm sure add quite a bit, but the narrative is solid, and the Ms. King a fine inspiration in her won right.

[Emily Chang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Would have enjoyed in elementary school. I liked learning more about Coretta's history and education.

[Dawn Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great early reader biography!! This book is part of a series of individual biographies spotlighting women who were featured in the original book, She Persisted.

[Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Low in number of pages but high in content. A great overview of Coretta Scott Kings life - detailing her as not just MLKs wife but an activist and intellectual in her own right!

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful story about Coretta Scott King and all of her accomplishments. Children will enjoy reading and learning from her life of courage. Illustrations were lovely.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

CSK was an activist too.

[Brittany Hess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book for 3-6th graders on an important woman from the Civil Rights Movement.

[Rene Del Bosque Moncayo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella activista fue cantante cantaba cómo los añejes y conoció a al Dr Martín luego de casi con el le llevó a trabajar cómo una activista a través de su canto