Let the Children March

 

Book: Let the Children March
Author: Monica Clark-Robinson
Illustrator: Frank Morrison
Genre: Historical Fiction, Multicultural
Major Awards: 2019 Coretta Scott King, 2018 Kirkus Best Picture Book
Age Group: 1st - 4th
Summary:

One day, everybody went to church to hear Martin Luther King speak. He had a plan to fight for freedom, one that includes coming together and marching forward. The mother and father of a family brought their personal concerns up front. When the children heard their concerns, they volunteered to be part of the army to fight for freedom because they didn't have the worries their parents had. At first, Martin Luther King had opposed, but ultimately allowed the children to lead the way. Everything was being put into place, hundreds of youngsters came together and marched. Each day, the police came and collected them to put them in jail, spraying them with the water hose until they stopped marching. Those children in the cell continued to fight for their freedom by singing together loudly in their packed jail cell. The event had become known all over the world and finally their voices had become recognized. By the time the children had been released, Martin Luther King had finally reached an agreement with the higher ups in the city. Shortly after, children of color were able to go to places that other people different from them could go and they were quite happy.   

Evaluation & Comments:

I would not necessarily use this book in my classroom. If it was to be used for a lesson preview, it would be considered. I just think that this book is a little bit on the lengthier side and students probably do not have the attention span to sit through the whole book. I do really like the illustrations that were drawn in the book, but there were also additional words on the page that were not included with the text being read. Something that could be done as an activity could be to have students create or draw a poster of a variety of rights that they want in their life. This could be done in a group, partners, or individually and turned in for an assignment. Personally, I wouldn't like the students to share what they put in case other students make fun or judge the student for putting it for whatever reason, but if the teacher feels comfortable then I would absolutely say go for it!