Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Six Guiding Beliefs (As Told by His Niece)

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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Love Will See You Through: Martin Luther King Jr.'s Six Guiding Beliefs (As Told by His Niece) is a moving and informative introduction to the achievements and ideology of Martin Luther King Jr., whose nonviolent protests and boycotts were at the forefront of the African-American civil rights movement. Dynamic, colorful mixed-media illustrations by Sally Wern Comport help tell the story and engage young readers. There's mention of King's house being bombed in Montgomery, Alabama, of his being hit on the head with a rock at a protest in Chicago, and that he was "killed by an act of violence." Some sophisticated terms such as "boycott," "voter registration," and "housing discrimination" make this best for kids a bit older than the publisher's recommended age of 6.
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What's the Story?
LOVE WILL SEE YOU THROUGH traces the life and ideology of the greatest hero of the U.S. civil rights movement through the lens of his niece, Angela Farris Watkins, an associate professor of psychology at Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia. Watkins presents six core beliefs: "Have Courage," "Love Your Enemies," "Fight the Problem, Not the Person Who Caused It," "When Innocent People Are Hurt, Others Are Inspired to Help," "Resist Violence of Any Kind," and "The Universe Honors Love." She offers concrete examples of the beliefs in action, from King's heroic bus boycott in Montgomery, Alabama, to protests against segregation in Selma, Birmingham, and beyond.
Is It Any Good?
Love Will See You Through is a great way to engage kids in a conversation about America's troubled past and the path toward a brighter future. The gorgeous and haunting mixed-media illustrations by Sally Wern Comport provide soulful and emotive accompaniment to the child-friendly text. Together they make a solid introduction to the life of one of 20th-century America's most influential men.
The book also offers excellent points of reference for those looking to learn more about Martin Luther King and the civil rights movement, giving concrete examples of political progress that King's work led to. The book's pro-peace-and-love message provides a nice context to understand the complex and divisive history of racial politics in America, showing how a man who stood up for his principles was able to inspire a nation in the depths of a moral crisis.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the legacy of Martin Luther King's struggle in America today. Has King's vision of equal rights and opportunity for all Americans, regardless of ethnicity, been achieved?
King believed in the power of peaceful protest to influence the hearts and minds of citizens and politicians. Have you seen news stories on TV showing sit-ins and marches? Do you think they can cause positive change?
Why has King's story become such an inspiration? What heroes do you see changing things for the better?
Book Details
- Author: Angela Farris Watkins
- Illustrator: Sally Wern Comport
- Genre: History
- Topics: Activism, Great Boy Role Models, History
- Book type: Non-Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: December 30, 2014
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 6 - 11
- Number of pages: 32
- Available on: Hardback
- Last updated: July 12, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
For kids who love history and learning about civil rights
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