Thurgood Marshall
Breaking barriers Series
illustrations by
What’s inside...
This book provides an overview of the life of the first African American to serve as a judge on the United States Supreme Court, and a rhyming interactive storybook about an adventure to find a lost alpaca named Alberto at Machu Picchu. The book is designed to be both entertaining and educational, encouraging readers to explore geography and history, search for animals native to Peru, navigate secret mazes, and interact with the story. It is suitable for children aged 4 to 10 years old, and provides an engaging experience for the whole family, inspiring travel, learning, and concentration.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-10
Length
64 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Thurgood Marshall
Discussion points
What challenges did Thurgood Marshall face and how did he overcome them?
Why do you think Thurgood Marshall wanted to become a lawyer and later a judge?
How did Thurgood Marshall's actions make a difference in the lives of others?
What qualities do you admire in Thurgood Marshall and why?
How can we apply Thurgood Marshall's principles in our everyday life?
Tip: Role play these questions
Start by explaining the historical context of Thurgood Marshall's life to provide a clearer understanding of the challenges he faced.
Highlight the importance of perseverance and hard work by discussing instances in the book where Thurgood Marshall demonstrated these traits.
Encourage your child to express their thoughts about justice and equality, relating their ideas back to the story of Thurgood Marshall.
Discuss the concept of leadership and ask your child how they can be a leader in their own life, drawing parallels to Marshall’s leadership in the legal field.
After discussing each question, relate the topics back to your child’s personal experiences to foster a deeper connection and understanding.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Persistence in the face of adversity
Explanation: The book portrays Thurgood Marshall's relentless pursuit of justice and equality, emphasizing his perseverance through challenging circumstances during his legal career.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to remain determined and focused even when they face obstacles in their academic and personal endeavors.
Example Lesson: Importance of education
Explanation: Throughout the book, the significance of education in Marshall's life is highlighted as a tool that empowered him to fight for civil rights.
Real-World Application: This story encourages children to value their own educational opportunities and view learning as a pathway to making impactful changes in their community.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: Thurgood Marshall's fight for equality underlines the importance of respecting and celebrating diversity, as demonstrated in his legal arguments that emphasized equal rights for all Americans.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by embracing diversity in their classrooms and communities, learning about different cultures, and respecting each individual’s unique background.