Be a King: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream and You

Together, look at the cover. Read the title and notice what is happening in the illustration. Talk or think about what you may already know about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Then read the back-cover copy. It asks the question, “How will you be a King?”. Keep that question in mind as you read the book.

There is so much to read in this book. Read it all! Start with the quotes on the copyright pages. And be sure to read the Author’s Note. As you read the story, take time to pause, think about, and discuss the following questions.

Notice that in the phrase “be a King,” the K in King is uppercase. What does this suggest about what the author means by “be a King”? Do you think she is saying that you should act like a royal king? Or do you think she is saying that you should try to be like Dr. King?

There are two stories being told in this book. How do you think they relate? (Hint: Some pages show a group of students working on an art project. Other pages focus on an African American male as he goes from boyhood to adulthood.)

On the pages following the Author’s Note at the end of the book, the illustration shows students with signs they have made. How do these signs relate to what you know and have read about Martin Luther King Jr.?

Go back through the book and reread the messages on each “Be a King” page. Together, talk about which message means the most to you, and why. What is an issue you deeply believe in and would fight for?

Stand Up! Martin Luther King Jr. and his supporters stood up for justice. They held many peaceful protests and marches to fight for civil rights. In this book, the students work together on a Wall of Justice. They paint a portrait of Dr. King. They make signs that support justice and equal rights.

How you can be a King? First, think of something you strongly believe in. Maybe it is something you would like to change in your communty. Maybe it is something you wish you had in your school. Maybe it is something you want for the whole world. Turn your idea into a message. Make a sign, or a poster, as the kids have done in this book. Think of a powerful image for your poster. Then carefully choose the words for your message.

Literacy Tip

Author’s notes, like the one at the end of this book, often tell you more about the subject of the book. Sometimes they explain why the author wrote the book. Carole Boston Weatherford’s note tells about key events in Dr. King’s life. Many of them are shown in the illustrations of Dr. King throughout the story.