Life Stories: Martin Luther King
World leaders Series
What’s inside...
Part of an illustrated series entitled 'World Leaders Past and Present,' which sets out to introduce the men and women whose ideas and actions have determined the course of history. The book tells the story of American black rights campaigner Martin Luther King, explaining the challenges he faced in his fight against injustice. It is illustrated with full color artwork and black and white photographs, and is a new title in the LIFE STORIES series.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-9
Length
123 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How do you think Martin Luther King felt when he was leading the civil rights movement?
Why do you think equality and fairness were so important to Martin Luther King?
What kind of changes do you think Martin Luther King wanted to see in the world?
If you had a chance to meet Martin Luther King, what would you ask him?
How can you help make the world a fairer place like Martin Luther King did?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story, fostering a safe space for discussion.
Connect the themes of the book to your child's experiences at school or with friends to make them more relatable.
Highlight the importance of embracing diversity and standing up for what is right, drawing parallels to present-day situations.
Ask your child to think of examples of fairness or inequality they have seen or experienced, linking it back to Martin Luther King’s mission.
To deepen understanding, propose a role-play activity where your child can act as Martin Luther King, delivering part of his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Equality and Fairness
Explanation: The book portrays Martin Luther King’s advocacy for civil rights and his dedication to achieving racial equality through peaceful methods.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by treating everyone with respect and standing up against discrimination, promoting fairness in their daily interactions at school and in the community.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Martin Luther King's persistent efforts, despite numerous challenges and setbacks, highlight the importance of perseverance.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to keep striving towards their goals, whether it’s learning a new skill or resolving conflicts, despite difficulties.
Example Lesson: Importance of Having a Dream
Explanation: The book illustrates Martin Luther King's famous 'I Have a Dream' speech, encouraging children to dream big and aspire for a better world.
Real-World Application: This lesson inspires children to envision their own dreams and understand that they have the power to influence the future positively.
Example Lesson: Peaceful Conflict Resolution
Explanation: Martin Luther King's commitment to non-violence teaches the value of resolving conflicts without aggression.
Real-World Application: Children can adopt peaceful ways to deal with disagreements, whether with siblings or friends, fostering harmonious relationships.
Example Lesson: Leadership
Explanation: The book captures King’s role as a leader in the civil rights movement, demonstrating qualities like courage, vision, and empathy.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take initiative, guide others positively, and be empathetic leaders in group activities or class projects.